THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 110, 30 July 1927, Page 26

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE ORCHARD AND SHRUBBERY July and the rainy weather is nearly over and we all look forward to better conditions during August. The planting season for trees and shrubs will probably be carried on well into September, especially in districts where the ground is damp and water-logged. Set all hedge plants, fruit trees, citrus trees and ornamental shrubs during August month. Dig the holes ready for planting incorporating plenty of rotted manure or vegetation with the soil. A handful of lime and bonedust sprinkled in the hole will help to sweeten the soil. Don’t delay with your pruning operations; cut out all dead and unnecessary wood before the sap starts to rise. A winter spraying with red oil will be beneficial to all fruit trees. Trunks showing moss and scale should be sprayed with lime and sulphur, with a handful of salt to every fluid gallon. Rose trees may be planted at once. Select only the strongest growing varieties. Gut back last year’s plants and dig out any sorts that show signs of dying back to the grafts. The ground' should receive a mulching of rotted manure. Ornamental shrubs often need attention during July and August. Hydrangeas and ericas that have finished flowering may be cut back to produce new growth. Hoe round the shrub beds and fork in blood and bone. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN It is most important that soil, whether devoted to flower or vegetable culture, should be well drained. After the weather \v‘e have just experienced many soils are sodden and unsuitable for planting. Drains should be cut sloping to the lowest point of the garden. Dig down to the subsoil, making gutters about every 20ft. apart. Seed potatoes can now be planted if the soil is at all workable. The varieties obtainable are numerous but the following varieties have proved themselves in Auckland: —Gamekeeper, Arran Chief, Early Puritan, Up-to-dates and Robin Adair. If you are not ready for planting, procure your seed and spread them out for sprouting. Vegetable Seeds to Sow: —Beet, broad beans, cabbages, carrots, endive, cress, lettuce, mustard, spring onions, parsnips, peas, spinach and turnips. • Final setting of asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries and loganberries should take place. Every little garden should grow' at least three (3) roots of rhubarb. Giant victoria is the best summer and tops’s winter the winter varieties. Loganberries are useful for training over the back fence or any unsightly tree stump. The judicious application of lime on sour soils will soon renaer them sweet and fertile. Lime is a food mineral itself and its chemical action in the soil sets free other food materials that would otherwise remain inert and unavailable for the use of plant life. Shell lime is burnt crushed shell and is best used for slugs and snails. Carbonate of lime is good but roche lime slaked is the strongest and best for general garden purposes. THE FLOWER GARDEN It is still early to sow many of the late spring and summer flower seeds. Prepare the beds for later planting, forking in manure. Set only the hardy plants that will stand the damp conditions. Flower Plants to Bed Out: —Antirrhiniums, poppies, nemesias, cinerarias, dianthus, sweet william, canterbury bells, pansy, viola, larkspur, scabious, primula and ealliopsis. Flower Bulb and Roots for July and August:—Gladioli, liliums, Japanese iris, cannas, calceolarias, michaelmas daisy, helenium, agapanthus, amaryllis, and lily of the valley. Sow the Following Flower Seeds Now: —Cornflower, sweet peas, linaria, pansy, Virginian stock, lobelia, gaillardia, salpiglossus, poppy, mignonette, sweet sultan, etc. Primulus and cyclamen are now commencing to flower. Many of these arc used for pot cultivation and are a great asset at this time of year. Be careful not to overwater these plants, especially ihe cyclamen, as they are subject to mildew and the leaves will rot at the crown of the bulb. An occasional application of liquid manure will stimulate the growth. - . Anemone and ranunculi seedlings may now be planted in beds or borders. These will flower after the bulbs have finished bloom- - ing The anemones should be set 6in. apart and the ranunculi .in. These should be planted behind the anemones because of thenheight. Bonedust and rotted manure are the best fertilisers. Sow sweet peas in drills where they are required to grow. Transplanting peas is always a doubtful proposition. Trench the ground deeply, filling the trench with well-rotted manure and fertilisers. Fine sandy soil should be placed on the top of the trench. Sow the seed oin. apart and watch the young shoots when thev first appear for the slugs and snails are plentiful just now.