GARDENER'S CALENDAR JUNE.

Southland Times, Volume VI, Issue 498, 20 June 1866, Page 2

GARDENER'S CALENDAR JUNE.

" See winter comes to rule the varied year, Sullen and sad with all its rising trains, Vapours and clouds and storms." Yet when we compare our June to December of England, how different. Picotees, pansies, heliotropes, agerotum, mexicana, and fushias, are still in the bloom ; should there bo any tender plants out of doors, shelter them in the "event of a frost. The signs of a frosty night are, a calm, clear sky, and stars at night appearing with more than usual brilliancy. GHve the borders a top dressing of well decayed manure, or well prepared compost. Planting and pruning must now be carried on as quick aa possible ; root pruning particularly should now be attended to. Where fruit trees are in the habit of making wood and no Forest trees, evergreens, fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, whether native or not, should be planted as early as possible ; and in planting see that the rootlets are spread out j don't be afraid of bending the back nor, of using the hand where necessary. In the successful planting of a tree of any kind much depends on the manner in which it is planted. Pruning must bo well looked to. Clean strawberry beds not already done, and fork in well decomposed manure ; in cleaning it, it is beßt to have a basket and take every weed clean away, for if they are left, and dug in with manure they will take fresh root and be more troublesome. Make new raspberry beds if required in shady and moist situations. Gooseberry and currant cuttings plant for young trees. Trench and ridge up every spare piece of ground whenever the weather will permit particularly -where the toil is of a clayey nature, In the vegetable garden we can only repeat that Ui our Almanack of last year viz. Early York cabbage sown in (OTPf may no-W be planted out i* fwte mil *p*in|?**bng9| r^ iwjp # fa

cabbage tribe. Cauliflower sown at the same date will produce flowers much superior to those sown in spring aud planted in summer. Peas : sow in a dry border for early crop. Beans : plant. Also prepare ground for early potatoes ; dig in manure throughout the ground, not placing the manure close to the set, and plant a few in a dry border for very early use. Asparagus and rhubarb beds should now be formed. Asparagus in rows eighteen inches wide, and nine inches from plant to plant j rhubarb, if in beds, thirty inches from row to row and eighteen inches from plant to plant, the beds of each to be well manured. The potato onion, garlic, and eschalots to be now planted as early as the weather permits; they delight in a rich sandy loam, and top coating of wood asher will assist them. We plant them on the top of the drills so that when cleaned the earth is level ; and the bulbs can fully enlarge the ridiges being 18 inches apart, the plant 6 inches. All bulbs and tuberous rooted flowers ought to be in ; but if not, plant as early as possible, taking care that the border is well drained, or they are liable to rot off. All herbaceous plants take up, divide, and transplant. Roses, transplant. In the pruning of roses great care should be taken as some sorts will not bear the knife, while others require a great deal. Auriculas should now be placed in the pots for blooming. Carnations, &c, not yet eparated must be done as early as possible to ecura strong blooming plants for the spring. Pansies secure against too much wet and wind ; peg them down and keep them close cut in to ensure a good bloom in the early spring. In small gardens it is well to train the gooseberry tree as an espalier j it takes up less room, produces a larger fruit, and is easier gathered and pruned* In planting trees of a large growth where it requires stakes to prevent their being blown out, place hay baudb or some soft substance to take the abraision, if not, it will materiaily affect its growth.