126 NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. 



General Management: Planting. The bed to receive 

 the plants being duly prepared, and the pipings rooted, they 

 may be planted out. The best time to do this is in the 

 early part of March. By being planted in the blooming 

 bed thus early, the plants become well established, firmly 

 rooted, and even make some growth before Winter sets in. 

 Plant across the bed in rows twelve inches apart, and twelve 

 inches from plant to plant in the row. When planting take 

 the pot of pipings to the bed, turn them out, and carefully 

 divide them, retaining every root, and even a small portion 

 of soil to each. Commence with No. i ; plant it with a 

 trowel, taking out a small quantity of earth ; then put in the 

 plant, and press the earth firmly to it. The first row may be 

 planted from the walk at the end of the bed. The first row 

 being finished, procure a board nearly as long as the bed is 

 broad, lay this across it, and when planting the second row 

 place the foot upon the board. After the second row is 

 finished planting, and the tally or tallies correctly placed, 

 remove the board backwards, stir up the soil where it has 

 been laid, and proceed to plant the third row ; and so on 

 till all are finished. The only point to attend to is not to 

 have too many plants out of the soil at once, as, if that were 

 the case, the young roots being tender would perish at the 

 ends. The wire worm is a deadly enemy to Pinks, Carna- 

 tions, and Picotees. A sharp look-out for them should be kept, 

 and everyone destroyed. They frequent fresh loamy soil. 



Mulching. A little protection from frosts will be useful. 

 That protection consists in laying upon the bed, between 

 the rows, a thin covering of either very short, littery manure, 

 or one-year-old leaf mould. This precaution is, however, 

 rarely necessary in this climate. 



Spring and Summer Culture. The heavy Spring rains 

 will make the soil hard, and when such is the case, stir the 

 surface of the soil with a very short three-pronged fork, 

 being careful not to disturb the roots of the plants. The 

 mulching, if any has been used, may be mixed with the soil 

 in the operation. This forking may be repeated as the 

 plants advance in growth, and will be useful to keep down 

 the weeds as well as keeping the surface of the soil loose 

 and open. As the season advances, and the heat of the sun 

 becomes powerful, a mulching will be desirable to shelter 

 the roots from the heat and drought. 



