THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 412, 21 July 1928, Page 26

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER THE FLOWER GARDEN Toothing is so beneficial to the budding - gardener as endeavouring to acquire the names and habits of the various plants and trees and the facilities offering in this direction are practically limitless. Now is the tree-planting season and the man who has made a careful study of every tree and shrub, noting its height and position, is not at a loss to know what varieties he requires to fill that vacant corner. For those in doubt and seeking bushy shrubs from 3 to sft high, the following varieties are useful and ornamental: Ericas or Heaths in all shades; Azaleas for exposed positions in colours from white, pink, ranging to scarlet; Daphne and Choisya, two scented bushy trees; Bouvardias and Diosma and Scarlet Clianthus are three worthy of attention. The selection is unlimited and pages could be devoted to this subject. Commence now and cover those unsightly fences with suitable hardy creepers. Continue planting roses of all descriptions. Start pruning established varieties that require attention and remove all dead wood, making a clean slanting cut to the outside bud. Gardeners who are lucky enough to possess a glasshouse or frame may sow French and African Marigolds and Phlox, three hardy annuals, for early flowering. Varieties for sowing in seed pans or boxes are Antirrhinums, Cineraria, Poppy, Stock, Pansy, Viola, Primula, Calliopsis. Lobelia and Gaillardia. Constant hoeing and working round all flower beds and shrubs is an important work that cannot be over-estimated. Set now Lily of the Valley, Cannas, Gladioli, Agapanthus, Michaelmas Daisy and all other perennial herbaceous plants. Scatter tobacco dust freely about the ground in the vicinity of hedges and rubbish heaps to keep down slugs and snails that are now breeding freely. Spraying should be carried out now. Daphnes attacked by scale may be sprayed with red oil. Leaves of plants attacked turn yellow and drop off, thus weakening the plant. Aphis on roses may be cured by spraying with Black Leaf 40, 15 teaspoonfuls per gallon of soapy water. Old lawns should be well top-dressed, rolled and generally overhauled. Ragged creepers should be cut back and neatly trimmed. * THE VEGETABLE GARDEN In gardening many a business man finds both a physical and mental relaxation which but few recreations combine and give. In this work, we wish our readers every success. The cause is a worthy one and deserving of every support and puzzled gardeners have only, to present their difficulties to The Sun and have them straightened out through our correspondence column. It is advisable to heavily manure rhubarb this month. Firstly pull off all loose and decayed leaves, hoe away weeds and grass and spread a layer three inches thick around the plant and carefully dig in, care being taken not to work too close to the crowns. After this, spread a layer six inches thick over the whole bed. Herbs can now be lifted, subdivided and replanted. This is a good time to apply lime on ground that has a tendency to become sour, thus rendering if sweet and fertile again. Old asparagus beds should be forked over and made ready for the new growing season. As early as the weather will permit sow a crop of spinach for spring use. Sow in drills 15in apart, as it then can be more readily hoed between to keep down the weeds. Crops of potatoes, such as Early Puritan, Early Rose and Kidney varieties may be planted now on a piece of well-worked land lying to the sun. Continue planting all fruit trees as quickly as possible before the sap starts to rise. Trench the ground well before setting and incorporate well-rotted manure. Continue pruning all fruit trees and spraying with lime and sulphur and red oil to kill any disease that may be dying in the bark. Roots and plants to be set now: Guavas, Gooseberries, Loganberries, Rhubarb, Asparagus, Passion Fruit, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Artichokes, Garlic, Shallots and Potatoes. Seeds to plant for spring use: Early Horn Carrots in dry sunny soil. On manure heaps and rich ground for forcing, a small sowing of radish may be made. Dwarf peas, Wm. Hurst, may be sown in drills in open ground. Broad tfeans are a liardy and easilygrown crop that may be set now. (See cultural direction.) Start and transplant onion plants 9in apart and 12in between the rows.