GARDENING NOTES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5203, 10 December 1895, Page 2

GARDENING NOTES.

[llY HOII'ITS,] WEEDS, Tho weather we have had this spring, taken on the whole, has been most propitious to tho well-doing of almost everything cultivable in the garden. All vegetation is looking most luxurious and every gardener - whether amateur or otherwise—should be thoroughly hopeful of being recompensed for his trouble and outlay. But tho conditions necessary for luxuriant growth in our cultivated plants means luxuriant growth among weeds, and an environment suitable to rapid propagation of the slug curse, To combat tbeso it will be necessary to bring the hoe into operation, 'With the common or draw hoe, the earth is cut and drawn towards, tho operator. The object of this is to draw up tho earth so as to cover the lower parts of the stems ol planfs growing in a row, In booing weeds-which is dono withaDutch, or push hoc—they are cut off beneath the surface, raked away, and placcdon thomanuro heap. Care should be taken that the weeds having winged seeds (such as the dandelion, thistle, etc.) should never be allowed to seed in the garden. Keeping ground well moved about with the boo will also keep the slug nuisanco down. In the KITCHEN GARDEN',

It is absolutely necessary that weeds should bo kept down. The last sowing of peas may be made now. A very largo and vigorous variety, which seems to be doing well around Masterton, is the'! Sir Harry Atkinson." If sufficient. quantities of parsnips and carrots liavo not been sown, seed should bo put in at once. Turnip seod may also bo sown. French beans, jubilee and scarlet ■ runners, should now be sown for I succession. They are a good, reliable crop for summer. All French bean,s shquld be picked as soon as tliey aro ready, otherwise it will materially affect the beating capabilities of the plants. Cucumbers grown outside, should bo nursed during such cold, wet nights as we havo lately oxperiencod. It will assist these plants wonderfully, if a layer of pure, sharp sand is spread about a foot all around them, two inches in depth. The reverberatory heat thereby acquired, will cause a rapid and luxuriant growth, Plant out melons, pumpkins, etc. Keep the beds clear from weeds, and bo careful to protect all plants belonging to this class, from wind. Continue to plant out tomatoes and eggplants. 'Tomato® 1 do best on trcliisses, Thin out tlio shoots if tiioy become crowded. Sow cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, both early and lato. Continue to plantoutforsuccossion. Keep the hoe going among advancing crops. Onions approach ing maturity, may have their heads bent down to hasten the ripening. Should asparagus show signs of falling off, cutting for use should bo stopped and the plants allowed to make fclieir natural growth for the season! ' : • ' ■

KIiOWKII GARDEN. It is necessary that such plants as chrysanthemums and dahlias should bo 'proporly staked while ypung, as the thrusting in of a (stake later on will seriously injure the roots of the mature plant. " As both chrysanthemums and dal]liijs q.ro liablo to bo, wholly or partially ruined by agnib or caterpillar, whioli foods upon the apox of growth, a sharp look out should be sustained over these plants When chrysanthemums are about six inches high, the tops should be pinched off, but if taller, cut down to about the height mentioned, then retain the three top shoots to form the main branches, and remova all tliejpvverlateralgrowth, Carnations should to neatly tied uj), of slugs will-probably lie found iihder them, especially 'duriitg this' wot weather, they should be treated to a little lime, -take care to kfeop the litge of the plants. ' : FRUIT OAHDJjIf,

Tho fruit garden should now be well looked after, for should codlin moth or the woolly aphis get a strong hold it will be impossible to dislodge them before tlioy have caused a considerable pecuniary loss, and, in the case of vyqolty hlijg'ht, = permanent injiiryVpie IjWb.' ijipplfe trees-are crop'piiig yery' heavily l t)iis 'season, oqn'sp.(jiiently'appl? grpweys should tako mom than oVdinapy to keep the codlin moth curse down so lhat the fruft can be marketed toth&jjest pecpapy. qdvaf)ti)ge. Thorp' is no excusofq'rpleadingfgnori),npeintpeating for t|io various insect pejte whip)i infcctourorcbavdsand gardens The fullest information can be got from the pamphlets by Mr T.W, Kirk, the Government ff bich are issued free by the Govornment, ana can' )>e opkmd for the asking at the Stock Office; which is at the year of the Courthouse) Masfcertoni 1 ' ' '