USEFUL HINTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 32, 30 April 1927, Page 22 (Supplement)

USEFUL HINTS

HERBS Always cut the tops and flower growths off thyme, sage, marjoram, etc., and apply well-rotted stable manure to the roots to force the young growth. If this is not done the plants are apt to produce a lot of wood. WHITEWASHING Whitewashing stones and edges of pathways is a splendid idea and always gives the garden a nice clean appearance. Pat or old dripping, with a handful of alum added to the lime, and water will help to make it stick. POTATO PEELINGS Never throw potato peelings on the ground: either burn or bury them. The eyes have a nasty habit of "growing where you least expect them.

SWEET PEAS Always keep the flowers of sweet peas regularly picked before the seed pods can be formed. To obtain good blooms on long stems a weekly application of nitrate of soda at the rate of loz per gallon will surprise you. CHIVES Chives or cive (Allium Schoenoprasum) are used as a very superior substitute for spring onions. It is a useful herb for soups, salads and flavouring, and is more delicate in flavour than onions; a single row a few yards long will keep a family supplied. A light, rich soil is most suitable. Plant together six or eight small bulblets in rows about 12 inches apart, and as many from patch to patch. In the autumn they will have grown into good-size bulbs and, if required, may be taken up and stored and used as onions. The leaves, when green, are

fit for use and should be cut off close to the ground, when they will be quickly succeeded by others. Every second or third year they should be lifted and divided up.

THE MOON AND THE WEATHER A clear-looking moon indicates frost. A dull-looking moon means rain. A single halo round the moon indicates a storm. A double halo round the moon means boisterc 3 weather. If the noon be bright and clear when three days old fine weather is to be expected. When the moon is visible in daylight then we may look forward to cool days.

THE HOYA, OR HONEY PLANT A fine evergreen shrub that can be relied upon to flower well outdoors in the Auckland district, or under glass in colder climates, is Hoya Carnosa (wax flower or honey plant). It may be trained up pillars or wires and reaches about 12ft in height and has white waxy flowers. Whether planted in a pot or in the open ground very free drainage is essential. The shoots should be cut out and thinned when too thick, but the old stems must not be interfered with, for they will continue to bear blossoms for many years. Sponging with kerosene and soap may be necessary at times, as mealy bug has a great liking for the thick fleshy leaves. Fairly strong shoots of cuttings may be struck at any period of the spring and summer months. The cutting may be about 4in long and taken off the plant with or without a heel. Sandy soil is the best rooting medium for this honey plant.