THE GARDEN.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 310, 24 October 1888, Page 6

THE GARDEN.

(ByHortus.)

Kitchen Garden. Moke frequent showers of rain would greatly assist the growth of many crops ; the late dry weather with the cold keeps growth back. Many of the early planted and gown vegetables will now be making strong growth. Occasionally stir the surface soil between the rows ; it will greatly assist them. Such crops as require to be earthed up (as peas, "potatoes, etc.) should be so treated when they attain a, height of about eight inches. The latersown crops will require attention in the way of thinning out superfluous plants so as to give sufficient space fur the proper development of such as will make the crop. Continue the transplanting of cabbages and cauliflowers, and earth up those that are growing. Lettuce : Plant out another patch ; tie up advance plants for benching. Make the usual successional sou ings of mustatd and cress. Onions : Thin out, and transplant the thinnings where morebreadth is de&ired. Peas : Still continue making succes&ional sowings ; stake all tali-growing varieties which havo attained a height of about nine inches lo a toot. Make successional sowings of French and the running variety ot beans. Potatoes : The planting ot the late crops should now be completed ; if deiened and the season keeps dry, the crop will not get a chance. Early pumpkins, melons, tomatoes, cucumbers etc. , btarted under glabs should now be planted out in their permanent places, but see first that they are properly hardened off. Piano in hills where about half a barrow load of manuro has been incorporated -with the .soil. Atter planting give a good watering so as to settle each plant, and shade for a few days. Seeds of the above permanent and late crop should now be sown out in the open, preparing a hill similar to that in which the early crops weie planted. Slugs are very fond of this crop, and great care must therefore be taken while they are in the early stages of theirgrowth. Rhubarb : If this dry weather continues this plant should receive liberal treatment in the way of liquid manure so as to get good crops. Continue sowing &eed& of late ciops at the proper time so a& to ensure a continual .succession. The so 1 between the advancing crops should be hoed in order to keep weeds under and permit a better atmospheric action to the roots. All seed coming through the ground should be carefully watched and piotected as far as possible from the slugs, which are now pretty active. Lime frequently ; this is the best application.

Flower Garden. The late dry weather has caused a large number of the early and late spiinu flowering bulbs and tubers to suffer considerably. Some of these, especially cyclamens, are going off quite a month earlier than they did last season. It is to be hoped that we shall receive some welcome showei s of rain before this reaches my reader. Whenever rain does appear iinibh planting out all the different hardy plants in order to get them well established before the usual spring showers cease. Also, when the weather is suitable continue transplanting and thinning out all hardy annuals. Two or three plants at each spot is better than a large number, as the few will have a much better chance of fully developing their flowers. Begin to harden off tender annuals sown under glass, so that they may be planted as soon as possible ; push on those that are still in the early stages of growth. Ife is also time to begin t 0 sow - the tender annuals out in the open border. Where planting or sowing has already taken place it would be as well to use water so as to establish them if the present dry weather continues. Koses will now be making strong growth ; mulch with well-rotted cow manure, and syringe with tobacco water or soap-suds to keep fly under. Continue to plant out summer flowering bulbs for «uccessional flowering ; stake and tie those that are growing. Many of the early spring favourites will be making a fair phow now. See that the growth is properly regulated by pinching back such shoots as seem to absorb more than their fair share of the sap. The essence of good culture at present is to frequently break up the surface of the soil, especially in such soils as are inclined to forma thin crust on the surface after rain. Look after all seeds coming through the ground. Take measures to prevent the slugs getting them ; use lime frequently. Walks : Hoe and rake frequently, as it is easier to dispose of weeds in the seedling state than when they get lai'ge and strong. Lawns : Jf the grass is to be got into good order for the season it must now be frequently mown and rolled so as to get all bumps depressed before they get dry and hard. Keep everything neat and tidy, as I consider this is the pleasantest time to be in the garden ; the weather is not too warm, and everything growing will present new features at every visit.

Greenhouse. Continue le-potting the permanent plants as they require more room. Plants of calceolarias, cinerarias, pelargoniums, geraniums, etc., coming into flower, keep near the glass, and occasionally gh c liquid manure. Any animal manure placed in water for a few days and strained -will do. Coleus and other cuttings which are struck, pot; off into small pots. A fresh batch of hardy coleus cuttings should be put in for planting out later on in the open borders, where they make a good show in the autumn, when most flowering plants are done. Look after fly and other insects ; keep them well under. Give plenty of air during bright sunny weather. Water in the afternoons, syringe when clooing up the house so as j to promote a nice humid atmosphere.