THE GARDEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

OPERATIONS FOR THE WEEK. "KITCHEN GARDEN.— The various sowings of lettuce, radishes, carrots, onions, spinach, and cauliflowers essential to ensuring a seasonable supply of these vegetables huving been completed, the attention of the Cultivator c»n be directed to other matters. The preparation of the ground by digging and trenching and the eradication of weeds can be pursued with vigour, as the soil is now in a favourable condition. Borders having « northern exposure are the most suitable for planting lettuce's for early use, and the hedp should be formed so as to allow the surface water to pass off freely. The soil for both lettuce and spring cabbage crops pannot be made too rich, as they will need c3l the assistance manure can afford to enable ■them to n.*ke a growth during the period ■when vegetation is feeble. Push forward -the ripening of t<matoes by fully exposing the fruit to the sun and by withholding 3*ater. FLOWER. GARDEN.— Where extensive alterations are contemplated in the shrubberies it will soon be time to begin the work. At ill events let the plan be perfected of the improvements desired, so that when operations are commenced there will be no delay on that score. The advantage of beginning ©arly is considerable. The soil being in •workable condition, the work ran be done tetter and in less time than when the winter rains have set in. Shrubs and trees transplanted before the autumn growth has commenced will strike root at once and establish themselves before winter. Not the least advantage of autumn planting is that it does not interfere with the work in spring, a time when the hands of the gardener are generally full with the operations incidental to the season. Sow hardy annuals for spring blooming. Plant hyacinths, narcissi, scillas, snowdrops, and other early bulbs. One of the most frequent errors in regard to hardy bulb culture is that of keeping them out of the soil too late in the season, whereby they *re greatly weakened. Bulbs that have been left in the soil all the summer are often in full root-growth in February, and by March ih«y have made ft ( mass of roots. Those that ai«" "taken up in '.many cases have the life dried out of them, for however carefully they xo&y be kept they must of necessity lose strength ; while those in the soil are laying up * store of vigour ready for a start as ipoon as tfie proper time for the top growth arrives. As a general rule bulbs for open-air bed« cannot be planted until the summer Bedflers are cleared off and the soil has been &ug and manured ; consequently, quite two months 1 are taken from the period during "Which the bulbs ouaht to be in flue soil

' gathering up, in place of losing, their 1 strength. GREENHOUSE AND FRAMES.—Cyclamens should be repotted and placed in a shady frame, and will need to be carefully watered until the roots are running freely. As soon as the eaily pelargonium® are beginning to grow, after the repotting, more air and light moist be given to them, but care , must be t«ken not to leave the lights offi during heavy rain, or the pots becoming* water-logged causes the soil to become sour, and the plants will fall into bad health. Fuchsias having part flowering can be placed outside in exposed positions, but must be regularly watered. At this time of the year an effort should be mode to clean the inside of all greenhouses, frames, etc., in ordfr to , destroy any insects that may be excreted before the winter comes on and the various ■ places are full of plants, thus preventing a ! thorough overhaul. GREENHOUSE.— The time is fast approaching when -the whole of tie halfhardy plants now out of doors will have to be 1 brought in. They are now ripening off their ! wood to stand the winter, and it all depends upon the amount of exposure they have had whether they will do so successfully. Many ( of these plants should also have been prepared for winter blooming. This is the crucial test of a, gardener's capability — to fill) his house with plants in bloom during the winter months. But this cannot be done without exercising a considerable amount of forethought, a knowledge of the capabilities' of certain plants, and the -expenditure of labour at a. time when men; other things demand a gardener's attention. Frosts may soon be expected 1 , and it is therefore advisable to have the houses thoroughly overhauled, painted where necessary, and the glass cleaned I for the reception of the plants. Attend to I the propagation of bedding plants.