FLOWER GARDEN.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 11 February 1916, Page 1

FLOWER GARDEN.

This being the hottest month of the year, water should be used copiously. Take advantage of every shower of rain to roll walks so as to keep them firm and smooth. The lawn must be kept well mown, otherwise the finer grasses are destroyed, and the appearance of the lawn spoiled for the rest of the season. Finish layering carnations, picotees, and pinks; sow winter-flowering sweet peas. This is the best month to bud roses. Dahlias and chysanthemums should receive plenty of liquid manure; also stake and tie, so as to keep them from being damaged by the wind. Continue to plant daffodils, narcissi and jonquils; the early planted bulbs are always best. Prune evergreens where it is desirable to keep them to any particular shape. ORCHARD. The summer prunings may still be continued if required as in the last three months, and so may the budding in some cases, which you can tell by the bark parting readily from the wood. Mulch as much as you can, but do not water ripening fruit, save only in the* case of very young trees or trees planted last year, where you dread the fmit not remaining on till ripe. Be very careful of the later fruits and keep them clear of insects, upon whom you must have no mercy, this month in particular. Ali sorts of late fruits are much more apt to bo destroyed or disfigured by insects than earlier varieties. Look after and remove suckers of all kinds, except such raspberries as are wanted, and leave only three or four strong ones in that case ; remove strawberry runners unless they are wanted to plant out in winter, and if you want to force them under a frame for earlies (a very good plan and not expensive) pot them off now. FARM. Stubble lands should be ploughed and worked up ready for sowing grass early in the following month. Soft turnips may be sown as the catch crop. Cape barley, oats, tares or Italian ryegrass may be sown for fodder crops. Wage war on all kinds ol briars and late seedling weeds, and work land in hot weather to kill sorrel and couch gross. Ewes should be selected and put to the rams for oarly lambs, and any culls should be fattoned off. All should be dagged and have their foot pared, and any suffering from foot-rot should be dressed. It is compulsory to dip all sheep during .the months of January, February or March. Begin to got up potatoes as soon as they arc ripe, with the skin firmly set, hut not before.