THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 720, 20 July 1929, Page 30

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

AMONG THE FLOWERS The. planting season is now in full swing. and no delay should be made. by those \\'hu desire good displays, in the planting of roses. shrubs, ('liinhei‘s, hedge plants. liliums. gladioli, earnations. Japanese iris, lily or the Valley, delphiniums and other herbaceous plants _\ll rose plants shoulddie pruned this month: the object being to rant-entrate the sap into fewer channels and so enhanre the size and quality of the lrloums. .-\ll old wood or hram-hes that are past their prime ran be eut out, allowing the younger and more Vigorous shoots to take tlnir place. Always prune to it good eye. pointing outward, and weaker plants will require. harder cutting back than stronger growing ones. Shrubs that protlut-e theil~ flowers on new wood. surh as hydrangeas, lasiandras. lantanas. tevnmu. etc.. can be cut back and surplus Liranehes retnnved this month, thus pi'oruoting new growth in early spring. FLOWER SEEDS TO SOW.-—Antil'rhinuni, ealliopsis, carna—tion, candytuft, t-ornllower, (Jahlia. tiiantlius. gaillurdia. lobelia. larkspur, linaria, marine-id, mignunette. nasturtium. poppies, snipi—glossus. sweet peas. sweet sultan. scabias, \‘erbenzi. FLOWER SEEDLINGS T 0 PLANT.—Anlirrliinuln. ealliopsis, dianthus_ pansies, primula. poppies, aquilegia. gaitlal‘diu. lobL-lia. lurkspur. seabias. Violas Lawns that are :1 bit luivkwiirtl in growth may he topsdressetl with sllpvl‘phusphnlr' :intl basin: slag: The super will take action immediately and the slag will stimulate the growth for early spring. ' So much rain often makes the young seedlings throw up prema—ture spikes. This especially happens with stocks. antirrhinuni and Ireland poppies. Nip off the. (lower stalk to allow the plant to t-ontinue making growth and they will then [lower abundantly during the spring. THE MTCHEN GARDEN Extensive t-ultivation is impossible this month as the ground is too wet and cold, but gardeners must not be idle, during the few tine days between the showers: constant lineing and weeding will keep down the ever-growing hosts of weeds. All vegetable Crops should be well dusted with lime every three or font-,clays to keep down the ravages of slugs and help to stop the damp ground from turning: sour. I’lzint out: nabbage. cauliflower and union plants in their allotted plots. lthuharl) and asparagus are best shifted this month. Now the seeds of broad beans. early peas. carrots, beet, anti turnip. ’l‘omatu sued may be sown in boxes or cool frames for the raising of early plants. Seed potatoes are now obtainable, and many varieties are being ol'l'ered to the. public. Among the best sorts for present planting are Early Puritan, Up—to—clzite, Arran Chief, Robin Adair and Guinekeeper. Thyme, sage. marjoram and all herbs shoulrl be planted now. Those already in the garden ("an be lifted and divided for growing on. July is the best month for planting any new varieties of fruit or citrus trees that might be required. The damp weather is very suitable for tlm transi'ulanting of trees, especially evergreens, as they then have plI-nty of time to rechver from the shifting before the Slll'anH‘l‘ (‘OI‘IIPS. Start winter spraying of all fruit trees. [ted Oil, Blank Leaf 40, or arsenate of lead are the best sprays for insect pests; Bordeaux Powder and lime and sulphur for fungnid diseases. I’m-pare ground for planting fruit. trees: dig down 'two feet and till hole up with rotted leaves and plenty of. lime. Start pruning operations: cut on tall unnecessary wood, euro being taken to cut to the outside bud. Paint the trunks and branches of the established trees with lime white wash mixture: this keeps the scale and moss from seitling; on the trees. Plant all fruit and citrus; trees. during July, gooseberries, tree tomatoes, grapes and sundry nuts. .