THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 744, 17 August 1929, Page 32

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

AMONG THE VEGETABLES With August weil advanced, our thoughts naturally fly to spring and its requirements. The ground is now in better condition for working and gardeners may get busy planting early crops. FRENCH BEANS may be sown in well-drained ground for an ox tra earlv crop, Canadian Wonder and Pale Pun being the two best varieties. Dwarf peas should be sown now for picking toward the end of October.' William Hurst, Petit Pois and Little. Gem are all good. CABBAGE. —The quickest maturing variety to set or sow now is Enfield Market. Drumhead may be planted if gardeners prefer tiie large flat-hearted variety best. Red cabbage seed may be sown tor planting out later. This species is splendid either for pickling or 5 ' SEEDS of various root crops may be sown in the open ground, such as shorthorn carrots, beet (turnip-rooted), parsnip and turnips. Weather and ground permitting, it is an excellent idea to get these started early for spring soups. Rake the ground over finely before sowing. , ONION SEEDLINGS should be planted out at once. Lettuce are now available and silver beet for spring boiling. Rhubarb (summer variety) and asparagus may still be planted. Set tubers of potatoes that have been laid out to sprout. Manure all ground required for root crops with potash. Before it gets too late, look to those fruit trees. Prune where required and spray the trunk and limbs with a suitable winter wash. New varieties should be planted before the sap rises and the buds begin to burst. The orchard work is, perhaps, the most important for the gardener as this work can only be done during the winter weather. AMONG THE FLOWERS All winter flowering shrubs that have dropped their leaves may be pruned. If this is done just after flowering, the trees will make a lot of new wood for the following season. Those who have not planted roses should do so without delay before the sap rises. All ornamental and flowering trees may be set at once. PRIMULAS flowering in pots should have the old blooms removed as they only weaken the plants. Cyclamen flowers should never be cut off, but twisted from the crown. Both these varieties, if used as pot plants, may receive a weak application of liquid manure to help prolong flowering. Take cuttings of the choice chrysanthemums and strike In boxes of sandv soil. Plant out clumps of cannas, Michaelmas daisy and all hardy perennials. Old clumps may be lifted and divided, richly manuring before replanting. Work round the roots of ornamental trees with the hoe, loosening the surface soil and checking the weed growth. LAWNS should now be closely mown and the edges neatly clipped. A top-dressing of superphosphate will help to start off the new growth. Use at the rate of three ounces a square yard. Where the ground is wet and heavy, the garden fork may be pierced through the turf at frequent intervals to encourage evaporation and circulation of air. Make sowings of the following seeds for spring planting out: Asters, phlox, carnations, stock. poppy, antirrhinum, marigold, French and African, cosmos, zinnias and other popular annuals. It is advisable to sow in boxes first and transplant later. Many bedding plants may now be planted out for quick displays. Among the foremost are nemesia, anemones and ranunculus. These three make a splendid show when used for massed bedding. For border work and edgings we have primula malacoides, pansy, violas and lobelia. Stocks can now be set in dry, sunny positions. Poppies will make a quick show in any odd corner.