FARMERS' AND GARDENERS' CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

Southland Times, Issue 1033, 5 October 1868, Page 3

FARMERS' AND GARDENERS' CALENDAR FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.

» Kitohbn Gabden.— For the last seventeen years, with the exception of 1884, Otago has been visited by a storm in October, which is generally ' accompanied with sharp frosts and heavy falh of snow. Those who have potatoes well advanced had better prepare for the worst by landing them well up, also covering the young shoots, and have some boughs, fern, or straw in readiness to put over them on the first appearance of a frosty night. French beans and runners will be sown quite^ early enough towards the end of the month. Seeds of any other vegetable may now be sown if not already done, as also any that remains to be finished. Sow celery on a rich, moist spot, and protect from heavy rains until it is well up. SowTnelons and cucumbers on hotbeds ; also vegetable marrow, pumpkins, squashes, tomatoes, capsicums, &c., to bring them forward for being planted out. Keep the Dutch hoe incessantly at work during bright sunshine to keep down weeds. Stir up the surface of the ground, as recommended in the operations for last month. Fbtht Gabden. — In exposed places precautions should be taken without delay to shelter fruit trees in blossom. Some tall scrub stuck into the gound, placed against a temporary rail, and secured with flax, will answer the purpose until more permanent shelter be provided — a matter which should never be lost sight of by those who wish to hare productive gardens and comfortable dwellings. Remove dead leaves and weeds from strawberries, a,ud apply a mulching of stable manure between the rows to keap them moist during dry weather j the juices of the manure washed down by every shower will prove beneficial Trained peach and apricot treeß may be disbudded, removing only a few at a time, to prevent a sudden check on the growth of the trees. On dry borders, mulch the rootß of trained trees early 5 and avoid cropping too near fruit trees which require all the nourishment they eai get without being crowded to their very stems, as is too frequently done even by those who ought to know better — as if a few potatoes or a few head of cabbage could not be sacrificed for the sake of fruit-bearing trees. Flo"Web Gabsbn. — Gereniums and other pot plants will require strict attention as to watering, and about once a-week a good watering with clear liquid manure, will benefit them. Forward plants will require shifting into larger pots, taking care always to have some well-prepared mould in readiness for the purpose. Sow seeds of both tender and hardy annuals and perennials. Plant carnations, pinks, pansies, and other flowering plants. Verbenas, scarlet geraniums, fuschias, and dahlias, plant out towards the end of the month.