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

Southland Times, Issue 1043, 23 October 1868, Page 2

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

♦ KiTCHEH Gabdbk.— For the last seventeen years, ■with the exception of 1854, Otago has been Tinted by a storm in October, which is generally ■ accompanied with sharp frosts and heavy falls of •- -mow. 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 planting that remains to be finished. Sow celery on a rich, „. - moist spot, . and protect from heavy rains until itr is well up. Sow melons and cucumbers on hotbeds ; also vegetable marrow, pumpkins, squashes, tomatoes, capsicums, &c 3 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. Fstttf G-abdeh.— ln 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 have productive gardens and . comfortable dwellings. Remove dead leaves and; weeds from strawberries, and apply a mulching" of stable manure between the rows t ,:>ioie%p them moist during dry weather; the juices of the manure washed down by every , shower will prove beneficial. Trained peach and apricot trees may be disbudded, removing only a ' • few at a time, to prevent a sudden check on the r -'■'■ growth of the trees. On dry borders, mulch the roots of trained treeß early ; and avoid cropping top sear fruit trees which require all the nourish- .: ment they can get without being crowded to .=„• v 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. Fioweb Q-abden. — Geraniums and other pot .plants .will require strict attention as. to watering, and about once a-week a good watering with dear liquid manure, will benefit then*. Forward plants wiLT require shifting into larger pots, taking care always to have some well-prepared mould in readiness for the purpose. Sow seeds .. 'pi both tender and hardy annuals and perennials. -Plant carnations, pinks, pansies, and other lowering plants. Verbenas, scarlet geraniums, iusohias, and dahlias, plant out towards the end ! -a$ the month.