THE WEEK'S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 258, 21 January 1928, Page 26

THE WEEK'S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE FLOWER GARDEN With the continued dry weather one is apt to get disappointed with the garden. Certainly it is heart-breaking to stand and see all ones labour and interest perishing for the want of water. But we must take heart and look ahead. Things that are spent or nearly finished must be replaced and preparation should be carried out for future days. _ . Start sowing seed for flowering in the late winter and early spring. Sow now in boxes, cineraria, carnations, stocks, Iceland poppy, nemesia, viola, pansy, calliopsis, drummondi, cornflower, mignonette, Virginian stock, double daisy lobelia and antiri hinum. February is the beginning of the bulb season and plots should be marked out for one’s particularly favoured bulbs. Most spring bulbs if required to flower early should be planted early. This gives. them a chance to root wdTl before the cold weather sets in. If water is available the following hardy seedlings can still be set for a late autumn show: —French and African marigolds, salvias, cosmos, portulacca, phlox, antirrhinum* kochia, amaranth us and petunia. ~ Dahlias now require a lot of attention. For good blooms the plants should be disbudded and frequent waterings with liquid manure will greatly help. Dahlias are great feeders and respond readily to this treatment. For caterpillar attacking the leaves and buds spray with arsenate of lead. Chrysanthemums should also be forced on if flower buds are to be well advanced by February. Sulphate of ammonia applied in liquid form will push along backward plants. Any signs of rust may be checked by spraying with lime and sulphur. Stake all tall growing annuals such as cosmos, sunflowers, etc., before the wind ruins them. Gladioli will continue flowering if water is given them. In dry, rocky soil, set portulacca plants. They thrive under these conditions. Now is the time to sow all perennial flower seeds. If set now they will bloom the first year. Sow in boxes delphiniums, gaillardias, Brompton stocks, carnations, geums, Canterbury bells, ranunculus and anemone. . Continue to sow winter flowering sweet peas, w hat better flower could one grow for use during such a lean period. Soak all seed before setting, in luke warm water. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Winter is coming! This should be our slogan and every good gardener works to this end. Consider the price of vegetables during these months and what a lot could be saved by proper usage of your little back sections. Get busy, start right now and make a garden. , . , _ .. Sow or plant now for use during the lean winter months, cabbage, savoy, broccoli, celery, leeks, borecole or curly greens, Brussels sprouts, winter spinach, silver beet, endive. Many people exclaim: n I can’t grow winter greens because of the cabbage fly!” How do the Chinese grow them? Why, by spraying. Just think, Is 3d each for cauliflowers. Are they not worth growing, and for sure success spray with black leaf 40, two teaspponfuls in soapy water once or twice a week. Sow the following root crops; water the drills thoroughly before sowing:—Beet, carrots, parsnips, turnips, swedes and radish. Sow thinly and weed out as they grow. On no account try and transplant. Continue watching the tomatoes, pinching out the growth and keep a sharp look-out for caterpillar. Arsenate of lead, two teaspooni'uls to a gallon, will keep this pest in check. This can also be mixed with Bordeaux powder for blight prevention and so save two sprayings. . . . Backward autumn crops such as lettuce, etc., can be pushed along with nitrate df soad, loz to a gallon. Apply after a good watering in the evening if possible. If marrows and pumpkins are not setting fruit pinch the ends of the runners and run one or two blooms together to help to fertilise. Liquid manure is also wanted for this crop. There is yet time for a crop of potatoes before the cold weather sets in. Procure your seed and lay out to sprout. Pick all peas and beans as they mature otherwise the crop will stop yielding.