THE GARDEN.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 952, 7 May 1879, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

GARDEN OPERATIONS FOR MAY. [wßrrnot expresslt for the sew zeala>i> AttRICCLTCKtST.] KITCHEN GAX-DLX.

The weather during the past month has been unfavorable for carrying on operations in this department, the great want being a downpour of rain. Autumn-sown onions that were put in after a shower are •well advanced; those sown later have

not germinated for the want of moisture, and nianv failures may be anticipated, so that the grower will have to depend upon a spring main crop. Shallots and garlic may be planted, and. towards the end of the month potatoes or underground onions may be put in. The secret of success in the cultivation of these useful bulbs is the formation of roots before the top of the bulb is excited. Celery must be attended to by drawing soil to the plants as they advance in growth. An early crop of peas may be sown, namely, M'Lcan's little gem and Kentish invicta. Carrots and parsnips should be lifted, and then stored as recommended last month. Rhubarb, seakale, and asparagus may be planted, and established beds of the latter should be lightly forked over and then dressed with a good coating of decomposed manure and salt. VRt'lT GARDEN. The pruning of gooseberries, currants, and raspberries should this month be proceeded with, and later on, say towards the end of the mouth, with the fall of the leaf, commence to prune apples _ and pears. All stone fruit, such as apricots, peaches, cherries and plums are better left until the close of the winter months. Full and practical instructions will be "iveii how to perform this important operation in the calendars for June and July under the heading *' How to prune fruit trees for profit." Fruit trees of all kinds may be safely transplanted with a fall of rain. The dry autumn we have experienced lias liad a beneficial effect on young trees in nurseries, causing the wood to be well-ripened, shortjointed, and stout, three important points necessary to intending Mcssia. Sitemson and Leigh, of the Korth-road Nurseries, have many thousands of joung healthy fruit trees of every kind, from one to four years old, which, they ofler. The following list of pears and apples arc suitable for the North Otago district. appi.es (2-1 select kinds). American Gox s Orange 1 ippin Do Mother Cobliam, early Dutch Miguone Dunelow's .Seedling Osman Pasha, new Scarlet Konpariel

Grand DukcConstantitto Lodgeniore !\onpanel South Carolina Pippin New York Pippin iled Quarrendcu Irish Peach X cVfcr Jfail Bruce s Summer Stirling Castle Northern Spy Crow's Nest Royal Russet King of the Pippins Ribston Pippm Tower of Glamis Boston Russet. PKAK.S (2-4 select kinds). Prince Tonsort Cliaiunontele fester Beurrc Jargonelle Autumn Bergamotte T.ouise Bon of .Jersey Broome Park Brown Beurrc ■JosephinedeMalines Beurre "Van Mons Early Green Sugar Autumn C'rassane Summer JJon Chritien W inter Bon Chritien ifacon'slncomparablc "V anMonsLeon leClcic Gansell's Bergamotte Yiear of W inkfield Winter Nellis Diet Iscurre Marie Louise Beurre, hardy

Gratioli of Jersey Dr. Trousseau. Next month a select list of apricots, peaches, cherries, and plums will be given. FI.OWF.I: GAKDF.K. Cut and clear away decayed stems from herbaceous plants. In flower borders lobelias mav be lifted and potted and placed in cold frames for winter quarters. By so doing two objects are gained ; first, ripening the seed, which will fall as it ripens ; and secondly, giving a large quantity of strong early seedlings for eariy summer display. Choice polyanthus, primula, daisys, and violets may be divided. Look over boxes of bedding out stuff, viz., cuttings of geraniums, verbenas. «.V:c. Remove all decayed leaves, and if mildew is attacking your verbena cuttings at once dust them with sulphur. Gather and collect all fallen leaves from deciduous trees ; place them in heaps and cover with soil for the purpose of decomposition. This forms a valuable compost for many pot plants. CiniY.SA2.TllF.m-MS. Chrysanthemums have long been considered a Lrreat ornament to the flower garden and greenhouse, and their beautiful flowers are brought to great perfection by superior cultivation, especially as was the case last week, when Mr. Adam Foisyth, nardener to the Hon. Matin.w Holmes at Awamoa, sent .a stand of 12 cut (lowers from his fine collection to the Chrysanthemum Show at Clnistchurch. "They were greatly admired ana deservedly placed first. They were well done, anil show what may be accomplished in the hands of a professional. Chrysanthemums arc easy to cultivate. Thev will adapt themselves almost to any soil and situation, but to grow them for show purposes requires a little more care and attention. Procure young rigorous plants,grow them slowly, disbud every side shoot and (lower, and leave on!}' a fine plumage bud at the extremity of the shoot ; water freely when growing, and when they have filled their pots with roots, give liquid manure twice a week. A good"collection of this popular flower may be obtained, viz., the large-flowered section and the pompone, varieties of 24 select sorts, from the nurseries of Messrs. .Stcntson and Leigh. M e shall give full instructions for the cultivation of this favorite flower, from the cutting-pot to the time of blooming, in future calendars. HINTS FOR AMATEURS. The use of mustard water for destroying insects in the soil of flower-pots has recently been recommended. A tablespoonful of mustard to a gallon of water. Plants are often frosted through neglect and allowed to die through ignorance. Those that have been quite severely nipped may be saved if treated rightly. The proper way is, when the frost has been partially drawn out of them, naturally, to drench them with cold water from a fine-nosed watering pot, and immediately cover again and let them so remain until they regain their natural color. When they are removed clip off such parts as are blackened. As soon as it is discovered that a plant has been touched by frost remove it to a cool dark room, and on no i account suffer the sun to shine on it. If they can be covered so as to exclude air as well as light it is better still. Dahlias, cannas, and the like need not be removed until tho frosts are severe enough to blacken the leaves. In many parts of Germany burnt earth t3 much employed for horticulture. Itthere often usnrps the place of loam, the use of which is not generally so well known as in this country. The refuse of the garden—clay, rotten wood, lawn sweepings, «tc.—is all thrown together and slowly burnt in the summer. Many kinds of plants root freely in soil tlras prepared, and it is very serviceable for seed sowing, being free from weeds. It is the custom of most establishments to annually burn a large quantity, as, even when merely employed to enrich the ordinary garden soil, it is credited with stronger renovating powers than rubbish applied in a decayed state. —Garden. The following directions for making a cheap covering for hot beds which were previously published in the Kansas Fanner, "were recently inquired for by a correspondent :—Cotton cloth covers, although not so good for the earliest beds, are preferred for all later ones. Make elotli covers a few inches wider and longer than the frame, hemmed and provided with small curtain rings fifteen inches apart around the border, stoutly sewed on, and by hooking over nails the cloth is drawn airtight over the frame. One quart of linseed oil, one ounce of pulverised sugar of lead, and four ounces of pulverised resin are heated, dissolve !, and thoroughly mixed in an iron kettle and one coat applied while hot to the upper side of the cloth. This renders it tight and nearly transparent.