The Garden.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 426, 7 December 1889, Page 6

The Garden.

By IIOUTIS.)

Kitchen Garden. The late few wocks of dry weather lias caused a certain stagnation of growth, and it is to be hoped that before this reaches the hands of my readers we will receive a good heavy rain, which is much required by all crops. Late pota'ocs should now be earthed up, as the season is advancing. As the early crop is taken fiom the ground/ fill up with pumpkins, me'on?, marrow?, etc., Oi somo other crop, as all gronnil is; much better in crop during tho summer months, even though it be simply a irroen crop to be dug back into the ground again. Cabbages and cauliflowers : Earth up advancing crops ; plant out another few rows, and see that the soil is thoroughly saturated with water after planting. All melons, marrows, pumpkius, tomatoes, etc., fchould as once be planted out, so as to get them established as soon as possible. Any that are planted out now phould be watered and shaded for a ft w days till they pefc well established. Earlyplanted tomatoes : See to providing a trellis to support them : also pinch back, to increase the number of shoots. Attend to sowing the usual succession of peas, French beans, and the running varieties. Earth up such crops as are giown, and provide stakes fors.ich as are now needing suppoit. The main crops of leeks should now be planted out ; those require a rich moist soil to ijrow them to per ection. Where fine roots are requited a trench the same as for celery should be dv2 f and manured in the the same manner. They should also be watered fioquently and earthed up as they grow. Celery : Commence planting out and arrange to as to have a succession of plants coming on, so that success-ional plantings may be done during summer and ' autumn. Use water frequently. Another trench should be prepared for planting in about a fortnight's time. Onions : If the main spring-sown crop is not already thinned, have ifc done at onco. Tho thinnings may still be used for increasing the breadth of the crop, by dibbling them out in rows in rich, well - prepared soil. Continue thinning out all late crop? of vegetables as soon as they are large enough. Sow another patch of mustard, cress, and radishes. These should now be sown in a ccol, moist place, and kept watered. t The hoe should be frequently used between the rows of growing crops, so as to keep the soil free and open. Where water can be obtained it should be freely used till the first heavy rain comes ; also use liquid manure freely to all stronj;growing crops. The late dry weather has caused the army of sluga and Miails to take up their summer quarters, and they will not give much trouble till next autumn. As early crops are cut or dug, clear away the debris at unce, and dig the ground. The debris should be placed in a heap and a good sprinkling of salt and lime given so a* to kill all insect life which may be upon them."

Flower Garden. In this department, as in the kitchen garden, the want of n copious shower of rain is much felt, and, where there is not a copious water supply, will have brought the operations of planting or sowing to almost a standstill. But as the season is advancing, efforts must be made fo plant out all the tender annuals established in pots or boxes. After planting, they should be" watered copiously so as to settle the earth about the roote. Tender bedding plants also which have not as yet been put out should also be plantod and-watered, Jn some cases it would be as well to uao shade for a few days. Bedding plants which were put out last month should now be pushing strong growth. Attend to the pinching-back and pegging down, and give liquid manure frequently. The pinching will give the plants a better habit of growth and increase the number of flon-Biiug shoots. Wheio "possible bedding plants should bo mulched now unless abundance of water can be supplied during the summer ; then mulching may be dispensed with. For mulching short grass, stable litter, e*tcr , dre the best mateiials to use, as they will not rot easily during the summer months and the dkbrii will inako good manure In the mixed borders tall growing plants should be .staked and tied up so as to pie\ ent strong winds from breaking and injuiing them. Roses : The best of the blooms will now be seen, but the quality j of those fciill to come may be improved by gi'ing liberal supplies of liquid manure and cutting off all spent llowers and seed pods. Dahlia 3 : Contiuueplanting out; place a liberal supply of manure in eaoh hole before planting. Single dahlias will soon in Auckland become as fashionable as they are now in Britain. Cladiolus - Many of the.-c are now showing their many-coloured spikes of bloom. Stake and tie up the spikes before the flowers open, and be liberal with liquid manure. Climbers will now be making rapid growth ; pinch back, and tie up their supports. Early spring flowering bulbs and tubers b which -are now ripened off lift and store" for the summer. I always believe in lifting bulbs and tubers, as it not only gives them a longer rest, but ensures that they will be planted in a new situation the following season. Where balsam and portulaca Eeeds are coming up too thick the young plants can be lifted and planted in other situations. Where blanks have occurred, both of the above annuals may still be sown. Liwns : Where water is available the lawn should bo heaviiy watered at least once a week, so as to keep it in good order. It will alto require to bo cut frequently and i-olled. Orchard : Where ttees have not as yet been sprayed 1 for cddlin grub, the work should be done at once, or before the fruit begins to hang or bend downwards on the fruit stalk, 'as after this period it is not go easy to reach the place where tho moth lays its eggs.

Greenhouse, An acfche 2*"q»\ th will now be going on in a number of y 'pljinbs. Attention tnusfc be given to -the watering,' eo' that they. tare never allowed to suHor 'for," the want of water. Jf by accident any plant {jets overlooked. I he be3t way to recover ifc is. to get a bucket of water and immerse the pot in the water for about ten minute?. This will saturate every part, of the roots and earth in the pot, and the plant will soon recover if placed for the rent of the day .in, a shady position. Give liberal waterings ot liquid manure to all 'quick-growing plants. Repot small, -rapid -grow ing plants as soon as they have fairly filled their present pots with roots. (Jive plenty of air during the day, while the gun's rays are strong, bhading the house during the hottest part of it. Syringe when closing up the house in the evening. ,

Horticultural Exhibitions. Laub Saturday the annual spring flower shotv was held in Onetmnga. The pretty little hall was filled "with a fine collection of cub flowers, vegetables, and some good pot-plan ti». "A good number of the exhibits showed that the dry Beaton was beginning to tell on tho light soil of the district. This i? the first of the ou.t-di«tricb flower shpwa which I have had an opportunity of seeing, and I was astonished at the number and excellence of the different exhibits ; also when comparing tho amount of interest

taken in such a small district and to how Minilnr eNhibitioiib aie treated when" held in Auckland. I think in future, Auckland horticultural ohibitione should be hold in Onehunga or at the North Shore to make them a success.