THE GARDEN.

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 161, 2 September 1892, Page 2

THE GARDEN.

Onions. Whenever the soil is in a lit state to work, the main crop of spring onions should be sown. It is b, “ I'toerot du'.ii In either at tin end of August, or early m inis month, so as tc give them a chance to make good bulbs. Where

the soil is of a poor quality a good dose of bones should be sprinkled over the ground before the seed is sown. After they are well through the soil and thinned out, a good sprinkling of some quick-dissolving manure should ho given them. Ground which was well manured with lifter manure last autumn is the best to use, as it will not require any artificial manure to grow good. I i i'. ij i. w.,' iin inn i >.:• ii: : ■ .' l l so ae : 1 nunil adit. ■va: h■ l ■ I. 7 a• iii ,a • v.'.-i !•:■•'. Tee iiv.': rf vaid e- •; si;ni:i.. lojin ivnvu. as idiey will noi require lo lie nad-eel. 110 ora peas well it requires rich soil worked to a. considerable depth. Potatoes: Continue planting a few rows. These can be. planted on comparatively stiff soils now, only taking the precaution to plant and labour the soil while it is in a comparatively dry state. On light, dry soils a row or two of intermediate potatoes should be sown. Those planted early on dry soil should be earthed up when they require it. Cabbages and Cauliflowers . Still plant a few so as to keep up a succession. Earth up the growing crops as they attain sufficient size. Clear a.wav the debris of spent crops as they are cut. Never plant either of the above crops two seasons running on the same pa tch of ground. Sow a small patch of seed for late spring planting. Rhubarb, if not already planted, should be put out at once ; see that each plant gets a good dose of well rotted manure at its roots. Youngseedling plants of rhubarb will succeed better than the old crowns, as they are prone to throw seed stalks. Make another small sowing' of turnips, carrots and parsnips, thinning out such as are now growing strong. One great consideration in dealing with young plants of vegetables, is never to allow them to draw one another up before they are thinned. Salad: Continue sowing mustard, cress, and radishes ; these to lie good, must be young, tender and crisp. Lettuce : Blunt out a few more, always keeping up a succession of good, strong plants. The soil between the rows of all younggrowing crops should be frequently broken up, as this will not only keep weeds under but will also promote a letter atmospheric action to the roots, causing' them to grow quicker. All debris of old crops should bo cleared away off the ground as the crop is gathered, as this debris is the hiding and breeding place of slugs. The vacant pieces of ground should be manured and dug roughly so as lo allow it getting properly sweetened for later crops. Careful attention must be given to all vegetable seeds coming through the soil, as slugs are now becoming very troublesome. Often good seed is sown and for the want of attention, lost ; and seedsmen get the blame of supplying- bad seed. To keep slugs in check dust lime over the ground frequent ly after dark. FLOWER GARDEN. For the next month every endeavour ought to be made so as to get everything- that can with safety be planted put out, as by a little experience I have proved that early planting succeeds much better than late planting. Roses : Pruning for late flowering should be completed this mouth, as many are now beghiiug to grow. Eacli plant should bo mulched with a, good dose of well-rot; eu manure. This will not only give them a good start, but will carry them on till after flowering' period. Bulbs.,-—Gladiolus : Still continue planting for succession. Liliums ; These should all now be planted out, as those left in the ground are now beginning to push tlieir way through the earth. All early spring flowering bulbs and tubers should have the earth stirred around, them and a little liquid manure given them Hardy Annuals and Perennials : As those are properly hardened off. continue planting out on every possible occasion, as the sooner all hardy plants arc now put out, the better. When the planting- of hardy plants is deferred till rate in spring they do not get much time to grow before the dry weather sets in, consequently a dwarfed plant is the result' VYhenever a few fine days offer, advantage ought to he taken to give all the beds and borders the annual spuing' forking or digging. Where the beds and borders were ctrig and manured last autumn, all that will be necessary is to fork them over, only breaking the surface so as not, to turn up the still uudecayed manure. Again, where tie- above work of digging" and manuring' was left to the sprung, it should now be done at, once when the weather suits Plenty ox well-iotted manure should be placed under the soil as the digging proceeds, as it, will be on the equality and quantity of the manure used that the quality and quantity of the flowers next season wili depend.