THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 466, 22 September 1928, Page 30

THE WEEK’S WORK AT A GLANCE

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER THE KITCHEN GARDEN THINNING ADVICE.—At this period, when heavy sowings are taking place, a word of advice may be useful. If you bought your seeds from a good source it is a great mistake to sow thickly, as it is only waste and necessitates heavy thinning which might be avoided. Never allow your vegetables to crowd one another, and if a first-class crop is expected, the seedlings must be thinned out in the early stages of their growth. By doing this you will have larger and quicker returns from less land. SLATERS, SLUGS AND SNAILS.—The three ’S’s” are the gardeners’ everlasting enemy. Through the winter they breed in quiet corners and plan raids on the vegetable plots. In the spring they appear in droves, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers, and devour all and sundry. Tlow many gardeners are ready for the invasion? Not many, I’m afraid. A sure and cheap remedy is 21b of ordinary bran or pollard mixed with loz of paris green and sprinkled round the seedling beds. The vermin eat the sweet bran and are quickly poisoned by the paris green. SUCCESSION CROPS.—One secret of growing peas and beans is to have a continual supply. Both these crops stop bearing if the fruits are not picked when ready. Why make large sowings that you cannot use at once. Fortnightly sow a row of seed, and by doing so ensure your continuous supply the whole season through. The earliest varieties are Wm. Hurst, A. Wonder and Little Gem. The second early varieties are Stratagem, .Daisy and Richard Seddon. Tall or later sorts are Yorkshire Hero and Glory of Devon. PLANTS AND SEEDS TO SET NOW.—Our readers who are fond of gardening -will find plenty of work to occupy them in the following weeks. Sow now carrots, parsnip, beet, turnip swede, broccoli, brussels sprouts, red cabbage, borecole, spring onions, leeks and cress. Set the following plants: Tomato, onion, lettuce, beet, cabbage, cauliflower, sage, parsley, thyme, and marjoram. The tubers of choko, garlic and potatoes must be set at once. SPRAYING TO PREVENT.—With spring blossoms now appearing on the trees, the gardener thinks of huge crops of fruit for the summer months. To ensure success you must spray to prevent the numerous blights that attack the trees. When the blossoms are falling on the apples spray with arsenate of lead, loz a gallon, to prevent codlin moth. For leach on plums, apply the same strength. Peaches and nectarines should be sprayed as soon as the young leaves appear with bordeaux powder or lime and sulphur, to prevent leaf curl. Apply weakly because of the tender foliage. MANURING.—Most vegetables are strong feeders, and the land should be kept up to a high state of fertility by using plenty of manure to replace the chemical elements which plants extract from the soil. Artificial manures such as bonedust, super, blood and bone, potash and lime, are all excellent fertilisers, and if properly applied will prove a profitable investment. For forcing on cabbage and lettuce that are backward in growth, use nitrate of soda, loz a gallon of water. If the weather is wet, apply dry at the rate of ioz a square yard. THE FLOWER GARDEN CHEAP SEEDS.—On the proper germination of the seed the welfare of our plants depends. Cheap seeds generally prove dear in the long run, and gardeners are well advised to buy only the best from reputable firms. Good seeds mean reselecting and proper care and attention to produce, and so the extra labour incurred adds to the cost of the production. If readers only have a little space to devote to this hobby they will realise the value of these remarks, for they have no room for failures. £• 4 SEED SOWING.—The varieties to sow now for summer flowering are almost endless, but the following sorts are the pick of the bunch for making a good display: Sow in boxes the following: Asters, zinnias, phlox, petunia, african marigold, salvia, delphinium, cosmos, gaillardia and lobelia. For sowing out in open borders the following are useful and showy: Linaria, Virginian stock, dwarf nasturtium, alyssum, mignonette, phlox, dwarf marigold and linum. PERENNIAL BORDERS.—The perennial plants such as michaelmas dairy and golden rod are now throwing up their spring growth. Carefully fork round the roots and apply a little blood and bone. Some larger clumps may require dividing; if so, lift carefully and replace the younger crowns. Clumps of jonquils that have finished flowering may have their foliage tied together to keep them tidy and make room for other plantings. HOUSEHOLD PLANTS. —The care of pot plants is a study on its own, and many plants are killed through insufficient knowledge. All plants require manuring, as they are confined to small pots, and the soil must become impoverished, and yet the plant may not require repotting. Apply every fortnight a weak solution of ammonia of potash, say, 1 teaspoonful mixed to one pint of water, and apply to all plants that have a yellowish and sickly appearance. Cut back the dead fronds on the maidenhairs and thin out the dead leaves of other ferns to allow room for the spring growth. PRUNING SHRUBS.—Winter flowering trees that have finished blooming should be cut back, if required, and the dead flower heads removed. Keep the soil well hoed round the roots to reduce the weeds. Roses that are making new growth should have all the dead wood cut off, and any ingrowing growths removed. Bonedust, 2oz a square yard, may be sprinkled round the bushes and raked in. ANNUALS FOR PLANTING.—Many attractive annuals are now ready for setting out for late spring flowering. The following varieties, if planted out now, will flower within 10 weeks. Iceland poppies, antirrhinums, cinerarias, nemesias, pansy, viola, primula, malacoides, carnations and lobelia. For massing in beds, pansy and violas are unequalled, flowering for many weeks. For shaded and damp places, cinerarias are the best blooming for a lengthy period.