THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 774, 21 September 1929, Page 36

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

AMONG THE FLOWERS September is undoubtedly one oi the busiest months of the year for sowing and planting. The weather is more settled and gardeners should waste no time if gay displays ai-e required in the coming weeks. Sowing can be carried out without danger of the seeds rotting and general satisfaction will be had in all branches of the work. The following seeds may be sown in boxes for planting out later: Asters, zinnias, salvias, cosmos, petunias, salpiglossus, cockscomb and celosia. Cover the seed lightly with sandy soil and keep well watered until fully germinated. Protection may be had from the hot mid-day sun by covering the box with sheets of paper. Aphis or black spider attacking the young shoots of roses may be kept in check by spraying with Katerkiller or black leaf 40. Young chrysanthemum plants may be set in well-prepared beds and ground dug over for the planting of dahlias toward the end of the month. Backward plants may be helped along by watering with nitrate of soda, loz a gallon of water. For quick, showy displays set the plants of nemesia Sin apart in massed beds —the combination of colours is wonderful. French marigolds and primula malacoides make splendid subjects for border work and window boxes. In situations that are shaded, cinerarias are the plants you require. The following may also be set at once: Phlox, calendula, antirrhinums, viola, pansy, poppy and stock. Sweet peas may be planted against the fence for flowering early in the New Year. The richer the ground the better. Virginian stock, dwarf nemesia and alyssum may be sown in clumps to fill up odd corners. Lawns may bo watered with sulphate of ammonia to kill the annual weeds and force along the new growth. Trim up the borders and keep well cut, as nothing looks better than a neat stretch of green grass. AMONG THE VEGETABLES The principal sowing of all root crops should be made this month to ensure supplies throughout the autumn. Sow all seed thinly in drills and thus save extra labour in extensive thinning out. Sow now carrots, short and long; beetroot, long and round; radish, all varieties; parsnip, spring onions and swedes and soft turnips. Do not fail to make sowings of peas and dwarf beans every two or tliree weeks to keep up a succession of crops. Butter and French beans are easily grown and the purple-podded variety is well worthy of a trial. Both the tall and dwarf varieties of peas may be set in drills and staked as required. Climbing beans and scarlet runners are useful for covering old fences. The following plants and roots may be set from now onward : Cabbage, drumhead and savoys; broccoli and early cauliflower: plants of sage, thyme, marjoram and parsley. Tomatoes should be set in a nice warm spot and staked on planting. Constant cultivation between the plants with the hoe will do much to ensure good, sturdy growth. Peach and nectarine trees should be sprayed with a weak solution of Bordeaux Powder or lime and sulphur to prevent the attacks of leaf curl. Be careful to read the directions on the label before using. Apples may be sprayed with arsenate of lead as •soon as the blossoms fall, to guard against caterpillar, two teaspoonfuls a gallon of water. Onions planted out previously may be manured with potash to stimulate the root growth. Growing crops may be watered with fowl or artificial manure in liquid form. Straw should be laid along the rows of strawberries to act as a mulch. Rhubarb and asparagus beds should bo forced along as required.