GARDENERS' CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH OF MAY.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 252, 4 May 1866, Page 2

GARDENERS' CA LEND A R FOR THE MONTH OF MAY.

S,till continue to plant out ah the cabbage and cauliflower tribe ; sow radish and mustard and cress-for a spring supply. Earth up advancing crops, - particularly, celery, taking care that the earth does' hot enter the heart ofthe plant.) Spwv peas/i and beans in a dry warm^ oorder. j Gooseberry; currant; and other "fruit trees 'may' now be pruned as they, shed their leaves j but where the process of "dishuddhig has been carried out during the summer, little of this work will now be necessary, and the less the better. Trench ground fron* two-and a-half to three feet deep, and well manure for. the makbi;j of asparagus or sea-kale beds, or the planting' of rhubarb, "as they are. permanent crops* they should be well done at lirst to secure success.' fijuckers from all kinds of fruit trees should now fcejremoved, and all trees when pruned should present a cupdike shape, co as to admit light and" air, and thereby produce a* higher flavor in the fruit than if closely : wooded. Raspberries for new beds j j>liuit out stxouq with rooted -fttv-kers * let) the ground be well trenched wid

manured, and four foet from row to row ; in old plantations cut out the old stems that have borne fruit this year : thin out the young shoots to three or four of the strongest of each stool, and shorten the top. Plant out as early as possible aU kinds of fruit trees, and in the planting take care to spread the roots out carefully with . the Hand ; where convenient, give a" watering to settle the earth into the fibrous roots, and cover with dry earth. Strawberries on old beds fork ' over, giving a coat of manure, clearing away all runners and decayed leaves. Vines, out of door, secure to the wall, merely pinching off the green tops, and leave the pruning till spring. Herb beds clean for the winter and top dress with weU rotted manure. Rhubarb should now be cleansed and heavUy manured. In the flower garden where large trees or shrubs are to be removed, be careful that they are taken up so as to preserve the small roots. Auriculas — Look over them, take off aU dead lives, and see that the plants , are in a healthy condition. Continue to remove carnation and picotees that are weU rooted, to their blooming place in spring. Roses— -This is about the best month in the year for transplanting ; they delight in a strong, stiff, rich soil. Ranunculas roots ; look over and see that they are free from damp, as they are very susceptible of dampness. Sow a few hardy annuals for early blooming. AU bulbs should now be in, if not so, lose no time in planting if you wish for a fine bloom next season. Plant out box edging, and clear all weeds from walks and borders for neatness sake. Herbaceous plants that have done blooming take up, divide and replant. Prepare compost for potting in spring, two parts turf loam, one part well rotted manure, either horse or cow, a little Ume, rubbish, or road sand, to sharpen it. Walks should now be cleaned from weeds, and in laying down a new walk, it is a good plan after taking off the sod about thi*ee inches to fiU up with coal ashes, before putting gravel or white shingle on, as worms and slugs do not Uke to travel through or over it, the coal ashes wUI soon become hard, and yet will let the water through, so that the path is always dry.