HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 September 1938, Page 4

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR.

VEGETABLES AND FLOWERS. WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. Sets of Jerusalem Artichokes can be planted. Choose the smoothest tubers for planting. Cut sets can be used. Only two eyes to each set is necessary. This is a busy time, for almost all (kinds of kitchen garden seeds can bd sown as the ground dries. Sow Peas, Carrots and Parsnips for succession crops. In cold districts and also where soil is heavy, a further sowing of Broad Beans can be made. A sowing of Cauliflowers can be made. Where plants are obtainable they should be planted out. Cabbage can be sown. If plants are obtainable a planting can be made. Even if these do not heart they should make a good dish, if grown quickly with plenty of manure. Plant early Potatoes. If rows are 3ft apart Lettuce can be grown between. Plant Chives, Mint, Sage and Thyme. Ail members of the Cabbage and Cauliflower tribe give much better results if transplanted two or three times before being planted permanently. Onions can be planted. A spring sowing of Onions can also be made. The seed bed should be firm, with its surface free from lumps. FRUIT GARDEN. Any pruning of Apples and Pears that remains to be done should be put under way at once. AH winter spraying should be finished as soon as possible. Peaches and Nectarines should be sprayed as the bud scales begin to move. Now is the time to apply manure to the fruit trees if it is required. Use a complete manure, unless trees lack growth, in which case give applications of sulphate of ammonia at intervals of a month. Head back trees to be grafted over. Scions for grafting should be collected and buried in the soil in a cool, shaded place. FLOWER GARDEN. Herbaceous borders can be renovated. Many plants are making shoots and can be easily seen. When breaking up large clumps of herbaceous plants, choose vigorous pieces from the outside of the clumps. Clumps of Delphiniums can be lifted and divided. Shoots of Delphiniums, when about four inches high, can be taken off as cut- , tings. Planted in sand and kept shaded, they soon root. Cuttings of perennial Phlox and Michaelmas Daisies can be noted. These make fine, strong plants and give the best flowers. Sow seed of Salvia Splendens and its varieties. Cuttings can be taken from plants left from last season. Sow Aster seed. Early sown Asters do not flower much earlier, but make better plants and give better flowers than those sown later. Cuttings of Dahlias and Chrysanthemums can be planted.