GARDENER’S CALENDAR FOR JULY.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 26, 1 July 1867, Page 4

GARDENER’S CALENDAR FOR JULY.

This is probably thewettest month in tbe year. In N6w Zealand the inch fair of rain is said to be greater than in England, but we have more dry days. The average number of days in the year when no rain falls being about 200 in England and 230 in New Zealand ; the main differences of temperature between the seasons of summer and winter is said to he for the climate of London 23 degrees ; for New Zealand, : 14 degrees. Our Meteorological statistics, however, are not as yet much to he relied upon. This subject has received much attention in England of late, and the country has profited from it. The telegraph now outruns the storm. Manuring and trenching all vacant places to he proceeded with, weather permitting. Taking advantage of fine days to, get in first crops of peas and beans on high light soil, plant, potatoes for the first early crop on dry ground where it is not likely to be flooded. - Continue to earth up celery on dry days. Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthan Tuheroso) may now he planted; Sow a small quantity of onions, carrots lettuce, mustard, cress, radishes, for early use ; give shelter to them if necessary ; sea kale and asparagus beds not planted last month, finish. Garlic and eschalots plant out, also a .few early potatoes in sheltered situations. Radishes maybe sown at the same time, they will' bo ready to draw before the potatoes require earthing ■ up... The cabbage tribe may he planted out for early coleworts. Rhubarb plant out in a rich deep soil; also roots of onions, carrots, beet, and turnips, wanted for seed, plant out; the earlier the better. Continue pruning fruit trees and clipping hedges and borders, and clear, them from any weeds or grass that may be. among .them. Open out the centre of pear and apple trees, cut out all branches crossing, and plant fruit trees 1 of every kind- as early as possible, maimer of planting see last month. Raspberries prune, stake, and tie, giving manure between the rows and forking in.

FLOWERS. Continue planting bulbs and other flower roots; sub-divide herbaceous. flowering plants,

prune and transplant rose trees ; cuttings - and layer’s of hardy shrubs, may be : commenced tnis month ; sow sweet peas andminionettefpr early flowers also carkia piilchella, and alba. Examine dahlia tubers to see that they are not eaten by woodlime, as they are very fond of them.

Auriculas, hyacinths, protect from the wind, if out of doors ; continue to sow annuals for a successive crop, and transplant into borders any annuals now fit to fill up. Cut off dead or superfluous branches of perennials or biennials.

Shrubs, take up where . over-crowded, , and replant and prune the fast growing plants, and lay where required to thicken the bottom i also quick hedges may be done the same way. ’

FARMING OPERATIONS FOR JULY,

The principal work of the farm should be preparing manure to haul, on land so soon as the weather permits. A good compost shonld have a layer of earth from 10 to 12 inches thick, a layer of dung 3 feet thick, the top and sides covered with earth ; after laying some few weeks turn all over to amalgamate :hem; all ditch clearing should be carted to it. If the weather permits prepare by the plough, all laud for spring culture ; look after your early calving cows, see that they are kept in condition, and when the milk is required for cream, give the calves some linseed tea with the skim milk. If any cows arc to calve in July, they ought, . for about a month before calving,' to be baited, dally with potatoes, carrots, cabbages, or turnips or some other varieties or mixture of green food Last year’s calves -should now receive hay otherwise they will be arrested in their growth, which, with the best of feeding in the following summer they will not overcome. Last year’s early pullets begin to lay about the first of July, or even a few days earlier ;‘and such as seem backward to lay should be fed with buckwheat or barley. A most important general rule in farming is to keep horses constantly employed, it is altogether indispensable, in order" to ' avert, less from the great expense of purchasing and feeding horses ; and in no month of the year Is it so difficult of observation, the soil is for the most part saturated With moisture, yet when at any time comparatively dry it may be worked with the plough. During wettish weather all practical carting upon-roads may be done, particularly in communicating with the market towns and bringing home manures. Cut furze hedges when in flo wer, once a year will be sufficient if you are careful to cut off the flowers a common hook, using a forked stick in the other hand, will make it a , rather interesting lightsome job. “