OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK

Otago Witness, Issue 2814, 19 February 1908, Page 10

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK

KITCHEN GARDIIN -Asparagus which i, ripening off a heavy ciop ol seeds exhiiu^.s itself cons:deiau'y. So all the seed-beamr? etalks should ba cut ay.ay while the seeds •re green, taking c^re, however, not to cut «11 the stalks from one plant or injiue those •that have no seeds. And it is a good pVn to give the beds two cr three good soakmg3 ■with liquid manure before growth has ceased E*rth up cc eiy as the plants advance, and when they are dry hold the leaves together to prevent the soil getting in between, 'ihe decay of the foliage indicating that the bulbs *re matured, onions should be taken wp a-t once and spread out to become thoroughly dry. It is important to do this 'before rain comes, as it would have the effect of starting them imo growth, -thus destroytitg their keeping quality.

FLOWER GARDEN.— Ihe piopagat.on of the various soils of p'ant= which are ger.er*lly kept in boxes ard pot? dining the ■winter mu3t be ati ended to. The most certain *J?ay to strike pelargonium: is to- tahe cuttings of lipe wtfod a.ul put them in a par-tially-shelterod boidei i.i o}-en giouud. giving them no water. II is the half-dry condition ■which causes cuttiags to become b ack ancT »ot, especially if the shoois taken are full of cap. Cuttings of heliotrope, af;eiatum. cuphea, salvia, verbei..a, nc^ene. and coie.is ehould be put in boxes of l.ght s-andy soil. »nd placed in a cos« fraive. witli a slight bottom heat Choice holU'iotk* should be propagated by cuttings, wh eh can be treated in a similar way Cfinavcns and picot«p=< which wore 'ayered e/irly may be -eparfted from the-parent, but they n.ust not be lifted tor potting or planting out for a week Pipings or pinks may be p'ai^ed out as soon *b their growth shows that they are rooted.

GREENHOUSE.— AII herd-wooded greenbouse plants cannot have too much air to ripen their growth, as a good deal of their flowering depends upon this. In placing 'them out ot doors it is advisable to plunge ibe pots-, placing a piece of slate below them •to prevent the escape of the roots. It is always difficult at this season of the year .to Iteep pot plants in a proper state of moisture, and by plunging this object is attained at the least expenditure of trouble AsfcleM have a tendency to become crowded •niih young wood. Thin out the weakly ones, which will tend to assist in ripening those left, and enable the flower beds to become fully developed. The loose pyramidal form ip the best, and whatever training is necesB*ry to bring the plant into shape ehould bs Bone at once.

THT WINDOW GARDEN— Now fhdt the Bays are dxawinp ir, v\m<3ow-garclcne; ■». &« RS the owneis of greenhouse*, «hou'cl

see that their plants get ail the light possible. In towns especially this is an important matter. For delicate-rooted subjects to be grown in 100 ms allow plenty diuimage — in fact, all kinds of plants giown. in rooms should be amply provided for in this respect. Nothing can be more injurious than stoppage of the drainage, and esch plant should be examined at the commencement of the winter ard flesh drainage gn en, if found neces&aiy, using some good clean potEherds 01 broken chaicoal for thtvt purpose.

VINERY.— The vines shou d be carefully v. atched, and all young growth pinched off that otherwise wouid be robbing the bunches, while the latter should be looked over, and all Email, split, or otherwise damaged and misplaced berries cut away. Particular attention should be given to ventilation, as a close atm-osphere tends to mildew , keep the ventilators open day and night.