THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 502, 3 November 1928, Page 30

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

AMONG THE FLOWERS ■ There is lo the poetical sense, a ravishing prophet!/ and winsome intimation in flowers.” — Parker. PLANTS TO SET. —The seed shops are now filled with hosts of good annua/s for spring planting. Here are a few- that are well "’° r For Pl ßorde S r S and. Edglngs.-Phlox. Lobelia. Violas. Pansy. ■pwethruiTT French Marigolds. For Massed Beds. —Asters. Antirrhinums. Poppies. Afucan Marigolds. Salpiglossis. Nemesia. .... _ rhrY qan. For Planting in Clumps.—Delphiniums, talvias, Lhrysan themums. Hollyhocks be repotted tiffs month if they look overcrowded or sickly. Remove all dead growth and water with liquid ammonia plants that do not requffe repotting but are not in the pink ot oon Uo, \spidistras that are overcrowding in the pots may b~ divided up and repotted. Staghorn ferns attached to trees or boards should have fresh moss and soil repacked behind the brow n blifc and an occasional watering with liquid manuie will work "roses.—Rambler Roses are sending up long suckers from the roots which should be removed with a sharp knife. Keep a look out for green aphis on the young foliage and check with any B ood insecticide. Where exhibition blooms are required thin out the side buds, leaving the centre bud to mature. As the first flowers fade remove at once to allow the plants to continue flowering freely. Occasionally work between the plants with the lioe. disturbing the surface soil and killing the w eeds. CHRYSANTHEMUMS. —The ground should be dug over deeply before setting the plants. Incorporate ashes and bonedust with the soil and drive a stake in each spot where plants are to be set. Plant the Mums close to the stake, where they can be tied firmly as they grow. Allow 2ft between the plants to make cultivation easy. SEED SOWlNG. —Gardeners who like producing their own plants from seed may sow- the following in boxes: —A sheet of glass over the box will help to make quick germination and keep the moisture in. Sow' now: Zinnias. Phlox. Celosia. Cockscomb. Amaranthus, Koehia. Petunia, Sunflower, Asters, Larkspur and Cosmos. . The following mav be sown in the open ground in clumps or drilled along the borders: —Dwarf Nasturtium. Virginian Stock. Linaria, Linum. Alyssum, French Marigolds, and Mignonette. THE KITCHEN GARDEN GREEN PEAS.— Continue sowing every fortnight for succession crops. It pays to buy the seed by the pound instead of packets, for they may be planted for weeks to come. The best varieties td sow- that do not require staking are William Hurst. Daisy. American Wonder and Stratagem. Those who prefer to stake may sow- Yorkshire Hero, Veitches Perfection, Glory of Devon and Pride of Market. VEGETABLE SEEDLINGS. —Nurserymen are now offering many varieties of vegetable seedlings for the gardener who cannot find time or space to produce his own. The following varieties may be set:—Cabbage, Enfield Market, Early Drumhead and Red Pickling; Onions, Spanish; Lettuce, Beet, Cauliflower and Kumeras. Tomato plants can be universally shifted with safety. The best croppers are Large Red. Kondine Red and Market Favourite. Two good varieties that carry small fruits are Carter’s Sunrise"and Holmes’s Supreme. SWEET CORN AND PUMPKINS. —Now that the ground is warming up, seeds of Pumpkins and Marrow may be sown with safety. The richer the ground the better the crop. Dig in plenty of rotted manure and Blood and Bone, and set the seeds in clumps of three where required. Rows of Sweet Corn should be drilled in at once. Country Gentleman or Golden Bantam are the best. Sow Cucumbers in warm spots in soil treated the same as for Pumpkins. Try the apple-shaped variety this season. POTATOES . —Most crops are now well above the ground and should be sprayed to prevent the attacks of blight. Either Lime and Sulphur or Bordeaux Powder are effective remedies if applied in good time. Potatoes that are not moulded up should be given a dressing of manure along the rows. Potash and Bonedust are two excellent fertilisers. Tubers may still be set if required and Up-to-Dates and Hew Era are two of the best. SEEDS TO SOW. —The main sowing of all root crops should be set at once; sow thinly in drills and thin out when large enough Beet. Carrots, Parsnips, Turnips, Radish and Swedes. Sow in boxes for transplanting Celery, Endive, Cape Gooseberry and Capsicum. Small succession sowings can be made of Lettuce, Cabbage and Broccoli. For Winter use sow Brussels Sprouts and Broccoli. SPRAYING. —To prevent the Codlin Moth attacking the apple trees, spray with Arsenate of Lead, two teaspoonfuls per gallon water. Peaches and Nectarines may be sprayed with Lime and Sulphur to keep down the Curly Leaf, 1 part in 70. PlurosS can be treated with Bordeaux Powder to prevent Brown Rot. Gooseberries and Loganberries should be mulched with rotted manure.