The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-06-25 00:00:00

GARDENING OPERATIONS FOR
THE WEEK.
(From the Gardener's Magazine.)

(An. e.,xcellent weekly journal,. con!alnlng.mull VIIUILiS

Information for amateur and professional gardenersj
KITCHEN GARDEN.

Oct hot dry soils a mulch of anything that can be got hold
of 1. 01 more use to quick-growing crops, In nineteen cases
oat of twenty, than soakings of water. Even if the Mine can
be epared for keeping the crop. well watered, the mulch will
be a capital auxiliary, in preventing the rapid evaporation
which would otherwise set in, and thus enable the plants to
receive the full benefit to be derived from the water. Instead
of carting the short grass to the rubldsh-heap, take it to the
kitchen garden and lay it alongside the rows of Peas or Beans
that need it most, or spread between the rows of Cauliflowers
or any ocher choice crop. Short litter from the stable is of
coarse the best, but anything that will keep the ground cool
Slid moist is better than nothing. Successional crops of
Mustard and Cress ought to be sown under hand.lights, for
it is impossible to obtain either crisp and succulent in the
open air now. The main crop of Leeks meat he got in soon,
if not already done as previ usly anlvinel. Give copious
supplies of water to Vegetable Marrowsand Ridge Cucumbers,
to enable then, to st irt as ay freely. Lite-planted Tomatoes
and Capsicums will be benefited by the same attention.
Asparagus cutting most now cease for this season, or the
" grass" next year will be poor and weak. We have lately
, met with a few people still cutting away at their beds, and
consequently I col bound to caution our readers against the
evil of lan cutting. It is »ot possible to have stronz crowns
for cuttlog at next year if the beds are impoverished now.
celery must not suffer from drought, either In the trenches
or seed beds Dig up every plot of ground directly it becomes
vacant, so that it may be ready for planting during genial
shower, or ens dull day.

FRUIT GARDEN.

The search for maggots which are to be found curled up In
the leaves of all the wall-trees, must still be kept up, or they
will do a lot of damage to the trees. The routine work oi
pinching or stopping of the young wooden pyramid and bush
trees must still he carried on. To prey •nt the le tiling shoots I
growing too fri.ely aid robbt g thlth least svi mrably situated,
stop them a week bet weband, or even stop twice, if need be,
to keep a proper balance. Step the outdoor Flee when they
have 111111 h four or five leaves, to ensure fine stocky wood f
bearing next year. Pinch back the young sherds of outdoor
Vines to one Joint beyond the hunch; select a strong shoot
towards the bottom of the roil for training up for bearing
next year. Outdoor vines produce much better crops trained
on the long-rod system than any other. Dust with sulphur
the f 'liege of any of the trees directly the lout signs of
mildew are perceptible.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Now that the bedding plants are consigned safely to their
summer quarters, every endeavour must be merle to give
them a good start, as the season at its best limo short. II the
plants are long before they make much progress, the stammer
is gone ban.° they contribute to the beauty of the flower
garden. Subtropical Wants that are turned out In properly-
prepared beds, with a good drainage rf brickbats at the
bottom, will require a copious watering occasionally in dry
weather. Stake Hollyhocks to prevent the wind injuring the
spikes, and tie Dahlias as they progress in growth, Sow
Brompton and Queen Stacks, and layer Pinks, Carnations,
and Plcotees as tney go out if bloom-
FORCING.