GARDENER'S CALENDAR. AUGUST.

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 534, 6 August 1866, Page 2

GARDENER'S CALENDAR. AUGUST.

This month may be termed the commencement of spring, and aU the changeable characteristics of an English February ; prepare ground for future culture by digging aud manuring whenever tho weather permits. Asparagus beds to be looked to and cleansed, fresh beds made if required. Bean 3 plant : cabbage and cauliflower sow, and plant out autumn sown celery; sow for early planting, leaviug the general crop for September ; cucumbers plant out, thrust a stick into the hoi. bed to ascertain the heat, and if too powerful remove some of the soU around the plant but not disturb the plant, and weU saturate the bed with water to prevent burning, sow more seeds for succession; dwarf kidney beans sow; cress sow, also rape, or mustard for salads ; cirrots sow, the early Horn is the best for first crops ; garlic, eschalots plant, if not already done ; letfcnce sow and plant out from last sowing ; look after the slugs as they now begin to be busy in their destructive habits ; majoram and basil sow ; sow fuU crops of peas, distance between rows must be regulated by the sort. Best dwarfs are the Emperor, early Queen of dwarfs, Lord Raglan, intermediate Fanbeards, early superior Woodfords green marrow and Blue Prussian ; Sang-iter's No. 1, or Daniel O'Rorke grows tall, but are ready nearly a fortnight sooner than other peas. Onions, sow for early puUings, also plant out the Autumn sown, the underground onion if not already done may be stiU planted ; rhubarb sow and plant from last year's sowing, they like a rich ' deep soU, radishes sow of each kind ; parsnip sow j for general crop, they like a rich, deep and rather strong soU ; parsely sow, the curled is the best for j garnishing, but the common best for seasoning, potatoes plant in light dry borders for early use ; J spinach, the round, and the Now Zealand sow. FRIJIT. -.* Graft all those that show early budding as early as possible, reserving those last that are late in breaking. All pruning should now be completed tha t can be done, choosing the early sorts of tree?, first cutting out all old and useless wood, leaving a supply of last summer shoots. All trees recently planted, see that they are not too much shaken with the wind, stake them, and mulch them would be of service ; suckers of all kinds should be removed forthwith, and planted for stocks for future grafting or budding. Strawberry beds look over and clean, and if not already done, fork in some well rotted manure. Raspberries not yet done should be staked and tied, the soU turned with the fork, and weU decomposed dung forked in. Gooseberries and currant trees finish pruning. Planting out aU kind of fruit trees should finish this month, where practicable. FUbert trees, remove aU suckers, fork in some rich manure around them, shorten last year's wood, but not the spurs. Root pruning, if not done, should be finished without delay. • FLOWEBS. Hardy and half hardy annuals sow ; auriculas sow, and top dress those in pots : azaleas and rhododendrons lay, polyanthus, cockscombs, sow in a slight hot bed ; box edgings finish planting ; carnation, picotees, pink layers, remove if not already done from the parent stock ; calceolarias pot from weU rooted cuttings, dahlias, look to and plant ; herbaceous plants of aU kinds may now be divided and planted ; ranunculus plant, the soU rather silicious and rich ; roses prune, reserving a few for a latter blooming ; verbena cutting put in, the cutting may be very small and divided in the centre of the joint. Flowers in bloom, violets, jonquil, narcissis, snowdrop, daffodil, and the primvlais. Dig and prepare all vacant ground for the September croppina, beth for kitchen and flower garden, and be not sparing of the manure heap, whon it can be obtained. Throw nothing away, all weeds, cuttings of trees, bones., or anything that wUI char, coUeet them and they form an exceUent manure for your crops.