HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 April 1938, Page 4

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR.

VEGETABLES AND FLOWERS. WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. Make a sowing of Cabbages and Cauliflowers for spring supply. A sowing of Shorthorn Carrots will give nice roots for early use. Sow Lettuce for winter. One of the small heading sorts is best for winter use. Radishes can be sown. The Turnip-rooted kinds are best for present sowing. It is. best to sow seeds at this season on raised beds. The protection of a glass frame is also advisable to keep off heavy rains. Clear away all spent crops; also any leaves spoilt by pests or diseased should be pulled off; they should be burned or buried in a trench. A sowing of prickly seeded Spinach should be made. Good soil and a warm border is required. Make a sowing of’Turnips for winter supplies. Earth up Celery as it is needed. Applications of liquid manure will benefit the plants. Leeks should have soil drawn up to them as they grow. A little soil should be drawn up every week. Liquid manure should be applied. Cabbage and Cauliflower plants can be put out to fill vacant plots. If the former are planted thickly, alternating ones can be cut out and used before hearting. The stems of autumn cauliflowers should be pulled up as soon as the heads are cut. Where the rhubarb has dried off, the beds should be cleared of weeds and lightly forked over. If early rhubarb is needed, life a few roots and expose to the weather for a week or two before forcing. Where soft rubbish has been placed in a heap to decay, bear in mind that frequent turning over assists the process of decay. Autumn-sown onions should be kept free of weeds as soon as the seedlings are through the ground. FLOWER GARDEN. Bulbs coming through the ground should have the soil stirred around them. Tulips and Hyacinths can be planted. Top-dress beds of Lily of the Valley with well-rotted leaf mould and a little bonedust. Ground for new. Rose beds should be prepared as soon as possible. Deep working and good drainage is required. Cut down herbaceous,perennials as they grow fast. Now is a good time to commence the work of renovating the herbaceous border. Life, divide and replant Harbaceous Peonies if necessary. Early flowering perennials, such as Pyrethrums, can be planted; also Primroses, Polyanthus, Pansies and Violas. Beds for Border Carnations should be prepared. Planting of rooted layers can be done now, as early planting is advisable. Chrysanthemums should be disbudded. Spraying and hand picking must be done to keep down insects. Chrysanthemums should have weak liquid manure. Stop applying liquid manure as soon as buds show colour. Keep spent blooms cut off Dahlias to prolong flowering period. Stakes and ties should be looked to or damage will result to late-flower-ing plants. Keep the winter sweet peas tied up to their supports and keep the soil loose around the base. FRUIT GARDEN. Gather Apples and Pears that may be ready. Even late sorts are ready now. Cut out useless trees and replace with better sorts. Cuttings of Currants and Gooseberries can be planted. A partial pruning can be given trees that have no fruit. Prepare ground for any fresh plantings this season. Give winter Rhubarb a top-dressing of manure. Young Plum and Peach trees often make exuberant growth at the expense of fruiting; root pruning is indicated. ? Add a liberal sprinkling of lime to the soil and make firm. Old trees exhausted by heavy crops will need a good top-dressing.