GARDENER’S CALENDAR FOR JULY.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 28, 15 July 1867, Page 4

GARDENER’S CALENDAR FOR JULY.

This is probably the wettest month in the year. In New Zealand the inch fall 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 fain falls being about 200 in England and 280 in New Zealand ; the main differences of temperature between the seasons of summer and winter is said to be for the climate of London 28 degrees ; for New Zealand, 14 degrees. Our Meteorological statistics, however, are not as yet much to be 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 be 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 he flooded. Continue to earth up celery on dry days. Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthan Tuberose) may now be 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 may be sown at the same time, they will he 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 priming 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 of every kind as early as possible, manner 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 layers of hardy shrubs may be commenced tnis month ; sow sweet peas and minionette for early flowers also carkia pulchella, 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 lit 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 : also quick hedges may he done the same way.

FARMING- OPERATIONS FOE JULY, The principal work of the farm should be preparing manure to haul on land so soon as the weather permits. A good compost should 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 land 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 are 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 years 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 laj 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 plongh. Daring 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 flower, 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 ightaome job.