THE FARM AND GARDEN. (By S. J.)

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1285, 23 September 1880, Page 2

THE FARM AND GARD EN. (By S. J.)

The Farm. All kinds of ppring grain, Barley, Peas should bo sown at once if not in before, and winter wheat if the weather is fine and ground dry. Rhould bo rolled at once. Prepare for potatoes planting, see that the ground is dry and clean If potatoes are to be ploughed under the gras*, they ought to be in before the end of the month, as they take a longer time to come through, than if planted in land that has been worked. There is a considerable difference of opinion as to the proper time of planting, some advocating late, others early planting, but the opinion of growers generally is that the earlier start they get the better It is an acknowledged fact by tho^e interested that the sooner growth commences the better. Land intended, for hay should be closed up at once, all rubbish cleared off, cattle droppings spread about, and well harrowed with, chain harrows.

The Garden. Fiower Garden. — Plants that can bo propor^atpd by the division of tlie root should he attended to at once, for if left liter and dry weather sets in they are considerably checked. Propoorate roses hy cutting. Sow hardy sorts of annuals. Plant out pink«, parties, carnations, verbenas, and all border plants. See that lawns are kept clean and clear of weeds. Kitchen and Fruit Gakden. — See thnt all ground that has been cultivated is kept clean and woll stirred by the hoe. This should be done at least once a fortnight ; if left longer the surface becomes stale, and does not receive that nourishment from the air it otherwise would, and the plants suffer. If onions have failed sow again ; if a good season, there is yet a chance of a good crop. Sowings should be made of C ibbage, Savoy, Brusscl sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, beet, beans, peas, lettuce, radish, turnips, carrots and parsnips Scarlet runners will be better left until next month for fear of frosts. Mulch young fruit trees, it keeps them cool and moist in hot dry weather, and the more even their growth is kept up, the better trees they are likely to make. All large trees that have been transplanted should be firmly secured to stakes to prevent the high winds blowing them about. This is important, as the small new loots are damaged by very little movement, and therefore the growth is checked, considerably. Plant cuttings for fruit stock. Graft apples, plums, pearn. Keep strawberry beds clean and the soil moved about them. Mulch strawberries with old rotten manure ; clear out the old canes and thin the new ones. Faspberries prefer a good mulehiuc to a good digging.