The Garden. (By Hortis in "Auckland Star.") Kitchen Garden.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 406, 28 September 1889, Page 3

The Garden. (By Hortis in "Auckland Star.") Kitchen Garden.

The nice, warm, genial rains and periods of bright sunshine that we have experienced since lasb Saturday, are causing vegetation to grow at a very rapid rate. When the soil is sufficiently dry to be fairly workable every advantage should be taken so as to get all the early crops either planted or sown, If main crop of onions is not yet sown it should be done at once, as it will soon be too late. Autumn sown onions will now in many instances be ready for transplanting. When such is the case, transplant at once. Make the usual fortnightly sowing of peas, and earth up the early sown crops. Sow a small patch of cabbage and cauliflower for late spring planting. . The autumn planted crops of the above will now be getting ready to cut. As each head is cut, clear away the stalk and leaves to the rot heap ao as to lessen the shelter for slugs. The winter and early crops will require to be earthed up as they advance in growth. Potatoes : Earth up early crops "as they become large enough. Main crop in light dry soils should now be plantod. Where the soil is heavy, wet, cold, or liable to be flooded with the late spring rains, planting can be deferred for a week or so. Make another sowing of broad beans and earth up the early sown crop. Continue making fortnightly sowings of mustard, cress, and radishes for salad. To get a succession of these vegetables in a fresh crisp state, frequent sowing must be resorted to. Lettuce : Prick out another butch. Make frequent sowings of turnips in small patches, so that they may be obtained tender and juicy. Turnips in our climate as they get old are apt to become stringy and harsh in flavour. Cucumbers, melons, marrows, pumpkins, tomato seed, etc., which were sown in pots under glass, should now be hardened off with the object of getting them planted out a8 soon as possible. Where a few early plants are wanted, they could be planted out now, but after planting place a box without either top or bottom over them : ever} night a pane of glass could then be' placed over the box, and taken off in the morning. If the above plan is* followed for a few \%eeks, the plants wili sooner get established, and in the warmer weather we shall obtain in a few weeks, the box and gla«s could be dispensed with. At the same time great care must be taken so that the slugs do not get at the plants. Every opportunity ought to be made use of so as to get ground ready for summer cropping. It should be trenched to a depth of at least two spits, and well manured with fresh or green manure. The recent warm weather has brought the weeds up by the thousand. Care should be taken that the surface soil is hoe-i over while the weeds are in the seedling state, as they are then easily got rid of, as a few hours' bright sun will kill them. Die: and manure all vacant pieces of ground when it is moderately dry, and allow the surface to lie for a few weeks exposed to the sun's rays. Seedling crops coming through the ground will require looking after, as the slugs may get them, Stir the surface soil between the rows of growing crops. Earth up those that require the hill system of cultivation. Thin out all seedling crops before they get drawn.

Flower Garden. Many of the early spring flowering plants are making strong luxuriant growth, owing to the fine, warm, genial rain and intervals of bright sunshine. Hardy annuals established in pots or boxes should be planted oafcas soon as possible now. Annuals at the present time must take the first place in our flower borders for making a summer display of flowers, as it is very few that will care to go to the expense of pui chasing stocks of the more permanent bedding plants, and it is only in a few private places where they have the appliances or employ sufficient labour to propagate extensive stock, so that most gardens will have to put up with annuals. These, if properly planted, or sown in the border in an irregular manner, will make a splendid display for the best part of the summer at a far less cost than the ordinary bedding plants that have to be raised from cuttings. Gladiolus bulbs if notalready planted should be put out at once, reserving only a few for planting about the end of this or beginning of next month. All summer bulbs should be planted out now, also cuttings of bedding plants struck last autumn. Camellias, if required, should now receive a slight pruning by simply thinning out a few of the small branches. Dig around each plant and give manure, as the camellia likes good food. Azaleas should receive plenty of liquid manure, as it will brighten the colour' of the flowers. All shrubs or small specimen plants on grass plots should be dug around, leaving a circle of wrought soil round eaoh plant. Annuals coming through the ground should be frequently dusted with lime, so as to keep the slugs off them. Early spring flowering bulbs are now ab their best : give liquid manure and frequently break up surface soil about them if it shows an inclination to cake. Lawns : The grass is now growing very quickly, and must be cut frequently so aa to prevent it getting drawn, and thus causing it to become thin and broken at the bottom. The roller should also be applied frequently, especially a few days after heavy rain, as it causes the soil to swell and expand. Rolling as it gets dry will compress it into position again.

Greenhouse. ! Nearly all the stock plants will require to get a thorough overhaul now. Suitable Composts should be mixed up and all plants repotted before they make much growth. Calceolarias and cinerarias in pots, keep near the glass; giveliquid manure occasionally. Coleus cuttings, either for pot culture or for planting out in the open borders, should now be struck ; they will strike easily if placed in light sandy soil and kept in a warm part of the house. Advantage ought to be taken of wet weather to make stakes and labels, also to wash all dirty pots that are empty, so that they may be ready for repotting as they are required. Give plenty of air in bright sunny weather.