THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 834, 30 November 1929, Page 30

THE BUSY MAN’S CORNER

AMONG THE FLOWERS CULTIVATION.—"Weeds are appearing with lightning rapidity in every corner of the garden. Constant surface hoeing and forking over will keep this growth down and also benefit the plants under cultivation. Perennial plants that grow tall and bushy will require careful staking to protect the summer blooms. CHRYSANTHEMUMS.—Most plants are now well in growth and may be pinched back to make them branch out. Artificial manures need not be applied until later on, but a good mulching round the roots with rotted manure and grass will be beneficial. SUMMER FLOWERING ANNUALS.—PIants that stand the dry weather and bloom throughout the summer are portulacca, African and French marigolds, cosmos, salvias and petunias. All these may be set at once. Water Well until established. DlSßUDDlNG.—Carnations are now throwing out many flower spikes. The' budding stems should be carefully staked and superfluous buds removed. Withered rose blooms should be removed to encourage fresh flowering. Any signs of aphis may be checked by spraying with Black Leaf 40. SPENT BULBS. —Anemones, ranunculus and daffodils that have completely died down may now be lifted and stored away until the autumn planting season comes round. Be careful to dry the roots thoroughly before storing them away. SPRAYING.—Any signs of mildew on delphiniums, carnations, roses, etc., may be checked by spraying with Bordeaux Powder. Caterpillars and all leaf-eating insects may be killed by spraying with arsenate of lead. Aphis and green fly can -be held in check with any good nicotine preparation. THE KITCHEN GARDEN. GROWING CROPS. —The warm, humid weather has made crops grow at a remarkable rate. AH seedlings lately sown should be carefully thinned out and hand-weeded. Tomatoes should have the laterals pinched out as they grow and care should be taken to staking and tying. SPRAYING.—Spray all crops of tomatoes and potatoes to prevent the appearance of blight and disease. Lime and sulphur or Bordeaux Powder are equally effective and easily used. After showers the ground should be carefully hoed between the rows. PLANTS TO SET.—Continue planting roots of kumeras, celery, leeks, cape gooseberries, - egg-plants and peppers. Beep digging and trenching will help the crops to carry on through the dry period. CUCUMBERS AND PU M PKI NS.—Where seed has fieen sown in clumps of three or four, thinning out will now be essential. Remove the weakest looking plants, care being taken not to disturb the balance. Plants belonging to this family are gross feeders and plenty of rotted vegetation may be safely heaped round them. SEEDS TO SET.—There is still plenty of time to sow a crop of peas and dwarf beans to follow on the crops that are now maturing. A pinch of lettuce for salads should be planted every fortnight to maintain a continuous supply. Mustard and cress may now bo sown.