THE FLOWER GARDEN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 29, 18 February 1937, Page 10

THE FLOWER GARDEN

Gardening automatically brings with it health and happin&ss and sets a Sure foundation for tne cultivation of a joyous home.life, Plower Seeds to Sow. — In cool seed beds and boxes the following varieties may be set for eariy iioweriug. When our present drought breaks pienty of quick-blooming annuals wiil be wanted to make a gbod show.. Sow in boxes antirrlajnums, iceland poppies, pansy, , nemesia, stocks, phlox, cmeraria, caiiiopsis, wallfwwer, elc. Where water is available the following seeds may be drilled out aiong bordets and iiower beds: — Mignonette, Virginian stock, phlox, lupms, iinaria, go.detia and clarkia. Theae may be thinaed out as they grow and can be relied upon to make a splhsh of colour. The less said about water the bstter. We all know this is the prineipal factor controlling gardenmg at present. Where supplies are plentiiul, good spakings shouid be appiied to ail dahlias and chrysanthemun%i if ' continuous blooms are expeeted, Caterpillars are busy breeding in pundreds. Spray all plants with arBOnate of lead paste, .two teaspoonfuls to- a galion Of water. Any signs of nphis or spider may be checked with Biack Leaf 40, one ahd a-haif teaspoonruls to a galion of soapy water. ; Spring ilowerfl shouid be foremost in our minaa axid the pianting Of all bulbs shouid be attended to for borders. The foliowing are .worthy Subjects: — Lachenalias.— Gtfiden beiis growing about nine' inches high with spotted lea-ves. Plant. six inches apart. Ereesias.-r-Too well known to deseribe, The scent of these graceful 'flowers inakes 'them a general favourite. ' Plan't " three inches apart. ■ Seillas, o'r Wood Byacinths, Pr'etty blue and white flowers abou.t eight inches high. Easily grown and hardy on poor soiis. Plant about three apart. J'or bedding, anemones, tuiips, ranqncplus and d&flodils are all popular Bubjects now available'. Early pianting is aiways best as good growth is assured before tlie wec weather preyails. Jonquils may be planted in clumps between the rose beds ' ■ Early winter sweet- peas may still be set. This drv weather the seed shouid be well soaked before pianting" ahd, given frequent wateringe once the 'seedlings begin to show through, THE VE.GETABLE GAEBEN.\ Of all seasons of the year, late ^summer and early autumn harbour the imost' pests. Frequent sprayings for fly, andcaterpillar must be carrxed on if crops are to be aaved, There is still time for a late pianting of "dw'arf peas anil beabs, THe'seed shouid be soakej well beforo sowing and if watex is forthcoming will crbp ih aboat eight weeks. • Sow thxnly in drills. The following sbedlings may be set: — Oabbage, curly greens, celery, leeks, lettuce' and beet. Sow the following seed: — Turnips, radxsh, beet, swedes, carrote, lettuoe, cab'bage, red cabbage, parsley and cress. ' The lifting and drying of onions, shallots, and garlic is an important' operation whxck shouid now take plaee. Thoroughly dry in the sun and store in an axry place. Green .crops; may be 60wn in thexr vacant ground. Tomatoes need close watching for the ravages Qf caterpillar .and constant sprayxng is essential. The summer praning of fruit, trees may still be continued .and, constant hoeing and working round the , trunks is much needed. Sow silver beet for winter fowl f eed. . Meloixs and pumpltins are now forming pienty .of fruit and liquid manure is the best .touic required. Apply in the cool of the evening every week., Celery shouid be moulded. up as it grows. Pick regularly all peas and beana they ripen to proiong the bearhig. If a, crop of potatoes is required before winter, plant now.