NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 1 1 



the flower stems ; and if the crowns are very much crowded, 

 thin them so as to leave two or three to each strong root. 

 Liquid manure will assist the growth ; similar remarks apply- 

 ing to rhubarb. Celery may still be sown, and the plants 

 raised in September should be planted out about the end of 

 the month in trenches of richly-manured soil and watered 

 copiously during dry weather. Potatoes may still be planted, 

 and those previously put in should be well stirred between 

 the rows with a push-hoe. Tomatoes may now be planted 

 out in rows, and trained to a trellis in a sunny situation. 

 Turnips and radishes should be sown at short intervals 

 throughout this and the next month. Birds are very trouble- 

 some during this month, and should be kept off the seed 

 beds by wire netting or otherwise. The chaffinches, green 

 linnets and blackbirds are usually the most troublesome in 

 seed time, and in the fruit garden. 



Flower Garden. This department should now be put- 

 ting on its Summer appearance. The later kinds of Spring 

 flowers, and those of early Summer, should now be in 

 full bloom. Hardy annuals may still be sown for Autumn 

 flowering. Annuals sown in September should now be 

 thinned, and the thinnings transplanted during showery 

 weather. Herbaceous perennials may now be propagated 

 by cuttings of the young shoots, and those kinds which root 

 naturally may be divided and removed to any part of the 

 garden requiring furnishing. Dahlias should be planted out 

 without delay. A rich deep soil and open situation, but 

 sheltered, should be chosen for them. Plant out pelar- 

 goniums, verbenas, petunias, heliotropes, and other half- 

 hardy and tender budding plants in beds on the lawn, or in 

 groups in the borders. All lawns and grass verges should 

 be closely mown and rolled once a week, and all the walks 

 and borders in the garden should be kept in the highest 

 state of neatness. 



DECEMBER. 



Kitchen Garden. Another sowing of broad beans 

 may be made this month for a last crop. Peas, for Autumn 

 crops, should be sown at short intervals up to the end of the 

 month : they must be kept growing freely, or they will be a 



