THE GARDEN.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 25, 3 April 1924, Page 1

THE GARDEN.

(By W. C. Hyde, Horticulturist, in | the Journal of Agriculture.) VEGETABLE CULTURE. Harvesting and storing the crops will be important work during April, i After the dry summer experienced in most localities the potato moth is likely to be troublesome. Its depredations will be prevented to a large extent if care is taken to bag up all potatoes dug each day, and so avoiu leaving any on the ground overnight on which the moth may deposit its eggs. Potatoes that have grown near the surface of the ground are likely to be infected, in which case they should not be placed in the bags with sound tubers. The most serious losses in this and other crops are the result of storing mixed grades. It is of first importance that only a perfectly sound sample should be put aside for longstorage. All defective, broken, am* small types should be graded out for immediate use. The best storage conditions for tubers and the like are those which exclude moths and vermin, that are dark and with an even j temperature and ordinary atmospheric humidity. Under such conditions if the product is ripe and well harvested there will be only small losses. Cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce plants sown in the previous month should now be planted out on a piece of clean well-prepared land in an open situation.

Celery should be earthed up as advised last month where this operation * has not been completed. In a sheltered well-drained situation form seed beds of main crop cabbage, summer and autumn cauliflower, onions, and lettuce, for planting- out in early spring. SMALL FRUITS. Afker the preparation of the land it is most essential that strong clean plants be planted. Raspberry canes are sometimes obtained from a nearby grower. Before definitely placing the order it is well to visit the plantation and see that the canes offered are, as mentioned, clean and strong. Currants—black, red and white—are in fair demand, as also are'gooseberries. Intending planters are recommended to carefully go into the question, and place their order early where satisfactory plants can be obtained.

While it is necessary to avoid working the land when it is wet, the opportunity should be taken, whenever the land is dry, of putting the hoe through these sections, more especially the newly planted strawberry beds. THE HOME SURROUNDINGS. The present is a suitable time to attend to the trimming of hedges, clearing open drains, and gravelling paths—attentions that go a long way j towards enhancing the comfort and appearance of a garden. The garden hedge is usually allowed to grow too | wide and top heavy. It has a better | appearance if kept narrow, and the top a little more so than the base.

In the warmer situations new lawns will come away very quickly; while it is undesirable to let the ne " grass get too long, it is still less desirable to cut it too short. Occasional attention with a mower that is sharp, properly adjusted, and set high is the best treatment at this season.

The time is now approaching when the planting of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs may be carried out. One often sees expensive and beautiful trees planted that fail to grow, or should they grow the results arc disappointing—a result that

is usually due to an unsuitable environment. Successful effects arc readily obtained if the local conditions are studied, together with the conditions preferred by the different shrubs. For example, a house cn a sandhill in a locality with a low rain fall is a most discouraging site for a garden; yet there is a local instance in which by means of concrete paths, ice-plants, cacti of many different kinds, and the popular Ttomneya Coultcri, etc., a flourishing, beautiful and curious garden is the result. Eveiy plant there is a native of such conditions, and requires little encourage-, ment to make it flourish. On rather hilly country with an acid soil rhododendrons, azaleas, heaths, and such plants flourish naturally, and will give effects unequalled by similar plants elsewhere. It is from this point of

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