THE BUSY MAN'S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 620, 23 March 1929, Page 30

THE BUSY MAN'S CORNER

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN CONSTANT CULTIVATION. —Frequent hoeings should always be given after rainfall or systematic waterings. This seemingly unnecessary labour is most important as it alloAvs free circulation ot air and prevents the soil from becoming hard. Any gardener interested in experimenting should continually hoc one row and leave the other alone. It will then be proved that the hoed roAV Avill mature three Aveeks before the one unattended. WINTER CABBAGE. —Plants of Savoy, Drumhead and Succession may be transplanted for Avinter use. The fly has nearly abated now. but as an extra precaution the seedlings may be dipped in spray before setting. Seeds of Enfield Market and Early York may be set in drills for early spring use. Borecole and Brussels sprouts may also be set out. MANURE DUMP.—Prepare and clear a spare corner for forming a compost heap. Noav that many crops tire reaching maturity, there should be plenty of green foliage that may be deposited in the heap to rot. Grass clippings and falling leaves til so make excellent rutted manure. Each layer may be covered with a few spadefuls of soil and sprinkling of lime. The manure heap will then be in excellent condition for use in the coming spring. CELERY AND LEEKS.—Both these crops should be earthed up as they groAv, firming the soil along the roAVs. Liquid manuring is the factor that marks the difference between failures and success with both the above crops. Use nitrate of soda, loz to a gallon of water, every seven days. GREEN MANURING.—Vacant land not required for autumn cropping may be in need of proper manuring. This area should be dug over and soAvn Avith either blue lupins, mustard, oats or annual clover. The above should be clug in just before it reaches the Powering stage and the ground left in the rough through the winter months. ODD JOBS. —-'Continue watering and hoeing round the cucumbers and pumpkins to gi\ T e the young fruit a chance. Thin out some of the tomato groAVth to alloAV the maximum amount of sun to penetrate to the slowly ripening fruit. Commence dividing up the clumps of thyme, sage ancl marjoram for later use. The young stock is best for replanting. Make, a soAving of parsley seed. SEEDS TO SOW.—Early soAvings of onions may be made at once if desired. Soav very thinly in drills on ground that is rich in potash. Silver beet and spinach prickly may be sown for winter use; both crops mature very quickly. Autumn soAvings of carrots, turnips ancl sAvedes may be made for later use. Try a pinch of lettuce every Aveek and thin out as they grow. It is Avonderful lioav a continuous supply may be maintained this way. AMONG THE FLOWERS INCREASING CHOICE PLANTS.—Gardeners who wish to increase the stocks of some of their choice plants may take cuttings of the following varieties: Hydrangeas, calceolarias, rock plants, ice plants, geranium and all types of conifers. A good mixture of sandy soil and leaf mould makes a splendid composition. SEED SOWING.—There is a certain amount of pleasure in growing your own annuals from seed and the gardener Avho never attempts it is really not a gardener. The folloAving varieties may be set now in boxes for transplanting later: Cinerarias, nemesia, stock, Iceland poppy, pansy, viola, carnations, calliopsis, Canterbury bells and gaillardia. A thin sheet of glass over the seed-pan or box AA r ill hasten germination. SPRING BULBS.—Of all seasons of the year the spring is the most joyous and this is made doubly so by the appearance of the dainty bulbrous flowers. For planting in beds in open ground set anemone and ranunculus bulbs. For grouping in clumps, daffodils, jonquils and tulips are unequalled. Here are some good subjects for fioAver borders: Fresias, babianas, laclienalias, tritonias, scillas and muscarei. PATCHY LAWNS. —Many laAvns have suffered severely owing to the dry summer. Bare places may be raked OA-er and a soAving of seed given at the rate of Joz a square yard. Top-dress with a feAV spadefuls of fresh soil and roll well. NeAv lawns may be sown any time from noAv dnAvard. 31b of seed will soav 100 square yards of surface. URGENT WORK.—Carnations layered early in the season should now be sufficiently rooted to sever from the parent plant. Chrysanthemums may require spraying for rust on the foiiage. Caterpillar in the garden may be kept in check by using arsenate of lead, 2 teaspoonfuls to a gallon of AAater. Most hedges should receive a severe trimming before the Avinter months approach. INDOOR PLANTS.—Hanging baskets should be manured Avith a Aveak application of some good plant food and the dead thinned out. Cyclamen plants may be potted now for floAvering indoors. Hyacinths and narcissus may be set in bulbfibre for draAA'ingroom culture. Aspadistras and palms should have their leaves sponged Aveckly in rain-Avater. Foliage begonias may be cut back to encourage fresh side-shoots.