THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 672, 25 May 1929, Page 28

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

AMONG THE FLOWERS Cinerarias make a fine show and will stand planted under trees and in shaded positions. Plants should be set ISin apart and two feet between the rows. Cyclamen plants can now be planted out into their permanent positions. 'Well-rotted manures and bone dust should be mixed with the soil. Plant summer-flowering sweet peas in well trenched ground. When they make their appearance watch the young shoots don’t get nipped off by the slugs and snails. Reduce clumps of perennials that are crowding out' weaker plants in the border such as helenium, solidago, Michaelmas daisy, campanula, border begonias. Dahlias are now over, cut down the old dead stalks. Trim up the chrysanthemums so as to keep that neat appearance in your garden. Flower seeds to sow:—Antirrhinum, calliopsis, delphinium, dianthus, larkspur, pansy, carnations, nemesia, stock and poppy. Flower seedlings to plant:—Scabious, antirrhinum, cyclamen, poppy, stock, schizanthus, primula, pansy, nemesia, cineraria. Get ready every inch of ground for spring flowering plants. Keep the soil well stirred. Burn all refuse and‘ sprinkle the ground frequently with lime and soot; this will sweeten the soil and keep the slugs in check. Rose trees may now be shifted if required, rt is often advisable to root out any old plants that have gone to wood and replace with fresh trees. Lawns that show the appearance of moss among the grass should be well limed with air-slaked roehe lime. Make ready for ornamental tree planting from June till August. AMONG THE VEGETABLES Rhubarb roots can be planted any time. Those old roots left in the ground will now have sprouted. Plenty of liquid manure, either stable or fowl, will prove beneficial. Make a raid on all weeds in the garden. Constant hoeing will keep these down and also help to exterminate the slugs and snails. Asparagus roots should now be planted in beds that have been prepared for them. The older the roots the quicker they will come into bearing. Carefully weed and thin out onion seedlings that have been sown too thickly. Sulphate of potash drilled along the rows will help to stimulate the growth. Make preparations for fruit trees, strawberries and rhubarb planting. Clear and burn all rubbish and dead leaves lying on the ground and sow the spare patches in green manure. Continue to plant out cabbage and cauliflower plants, beet and lettuce. Dig the ground well and keep the hoe constantly working along the rows. Sow the following vegetable seeds:—Broad beans, carrots, parsnips, spinach, potatoes, parsley, turnips and onions. Plant garlic, shallots, potato and tree onions, asparagus roots in prepared beds and rhubarb roots. Mulch the old rhubarb roots with straw to keep them warm and so promote early growth. Plant out mint and parsley in some vacant corner. NTo garden should be without these two necessities. Earth up Brussels sprouts and borecole as a protection from the strong winds. If the sprouts are ready for use start picking from the bottom.