Page 28 Advertisements Column 1

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 608, 9 March 1929, Page 28

THE BUSY MAN'S CORNER AMONG THE FLOWERS URGENT WORK.—The most important work in the flower garden this month is the setting of spring flowering bulbs. These dainty heralds of spring are always welcomed after the winter months. Next in importance is the sowing of showy annuals that will flower quickly and make a show during the drab months of the year. JAPANESE “MUMS."—We must not forget to keep a careful look-out for any signs of rust on the chrysanthemums. Spray with lime and sulphur or Borbeaux powder if plants are showing brown patches on the leaves. Continue to disbud if choice blooms are required, remembering the motto, “Quality is better than quantity.” Black spider on the new growth can be demolished by using black leaf 40. ANEMONES AND RANUNCULUS. —These two popular flowering bulbs may be planted at once. If the ground is dug the bulbs may be soaked for a few hours before planting. The former variety should be planted Sin. apart-and the latter 12in. Set the bulbs 2£in. deep as surface settings are often disturbed by hoeing. Bonedust may be mixed with the soil as a fertiliser. POPULAR BULBS.—For borders and baskets the coloured fresias and lachenalias with their quaint, spotted leaves are excellent subjects. Set the cormes 4in. apart. Tritonias, sparaxis and Babianas arc three excellent bulbs for rock gardens or window boxes. For effect, these should be set in clumps of a dozen and left to remain for two seasons. NARCISSUS. —Daffodils, jonquills that have been in the ground for several years, should be lifted, divided and reset at once. If planted in the same soil, add well-rotted manure, leaves or bonedust as a stimulant. Ladies who like to grow these flowers indoors in bowls should prepare at once by obtaining fresh bulb flbre. Start the bulbs in growth in a dark room or linen press. SEEDS TO SOW.—For quick flowering border work sow the popular Virginian stock thinly in rows where they are to mature. Nemesia may .be sown in boxes for bedding out later. The strumosa strain contains all the brilliant orange and scarlet shades. Iceland poppies should be sown at once to encourage early flowering; sow in boxes to ensure best results. The new pink shades are now available. Pansy.—These world-wide flowers need no describing. The richer the ground the better the flowers. Sow the seeds in boxes and prepare the ground while they are growing. Bath’s Empress and Masterpiece are two of the best. THE KITCHEN GARDEN LAWNS.—Gardeners contemplating sowing back or front lawns should prepare now by raking over and levelling. Blood and bone and superphosphate are good fertilisers to scatter over the surface before raking, loz. a square yard. As soon as the weather breaks the seed may be sown, although there is no hurry for a few weeks. PEAS AND BEANS.—Keep the peas and beans well watered. An occasional hosing of the foliage will help to keep away the mildew. Young crops a few inches high should be moulded up to help to keep the moisture in. Plants now in bearing should be picked continuously whether required or not, otherwise the plants will stop. VEGETABLE PESTS.—The cabbage-fly is now having plenty of fun eating holes in the cabbage and other green crops. Spray with black leaf 40 and arsenate of lead combined. Maturing plants of cabbage may have tobacco dust sprinkled into their hearts as the outside leaves don’t count. Tomatoes suffering from black rot should be sprayed with Bordeaux powder, 1 tablespoonful a gallon. Caterpillars may be kept in check by using arsenate of lead. SEED SOWING.—The sowing of root crops largely depends on the water supply. If gardeners are prepared to water well the following may be sown in drills and thinned out. Thoroughly soak the drill before setting the seed. Sow carrots, swedes, turnips, spring onions, beet. Keep the soil well hoed as the youngsters push along. THINGS TO GROW.—Mustard and cress may be sown for salad use. A pinch of lettuce may be set every ten days. Don’t attempt to transplant either beet or lettuce, as they will probably run to seed. - Apply plenty of liquid manure to the growing crops of leeks and celery. Prepare beds for the sowing of the early onion crop, about the end of the month. Apply potash to all ground growing root crops. SPARE GROUND.—AII ground that has become now vacant and will not be required for some weeks should be sown with a green crop for digging-in purposes. Humus is one of the principal foods required by plant life. Why not grow your own and keep the weeds down? Mustard is good on very dry soils and lupins and oats are to be recommended for general soils.