HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1938, Page 2

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR.

VEGETABLES AND FLOWERS. WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. Sow main crop Carrots. Avoid sowing in wet positions or when soil ia saturated. If position is damp sow on slightly-raised ridges. Plantings of Cabbage and Cauliflower can be made. White butterfly will soon be appearing. Anticipate it by dusting plants with derris or other insecticide. Sow Spinach, also Dwarf and Runner Beans. Choose sheltered positions. Peas for succession can be sown. Earlier sown crops that are through the soil should have sticks put to them. Potatoes can be planted. Those that are through the ground,’ should be sprayed. Tomatoes can be planted in sheltered positions, but it is too early for general planting. Seeds of Vegetable Marrow can be sown, but will need temporary protection. Sow Lettuce, Radish, Mustard and Cress; also Onions forssalads. Sow Beetroot, Turnips, Savoys, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts and Celery. FLOWER GARDEN. Hardy annuals can be sown in the open ground. Thin out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle. Gladioli can be planted. Planting delayed by wet weather can be continued. Chrysanthemums have been slow in sending up cuttings. The cuttings can be taken off as they grow. They quickly root in sandy soil. Sweet Peas must be kept tied to their supports. Remove 1 weak lateral growths. Flowers of early flowering Sweet Peas must be kept closely cut to prevent seeding. If the foliage goes yellow spray with lime sulphur 1-120. Dahlia roots left in the ground over the winter can be lifted and divided. Allow only one shoot to each plant. Delphiniums and Perennial Phlox can be lifted and divided. Rhododendrons, Heaths, Azaleas and Camelias can be planted. Weeds in the dawn will be controlled by summer dressings of sulphate of ammonia, 2oz to the square yard. Keep the hoe busy among the flower plants to break up the crust formed by heavy rains. FRUIT GARDEN. Spray Peaches and Nectarines as soon as the petals fall. Use lime sulphur 1.120. It is advisable to apply grease bands to tree stems. They account for a large number of insect pests. If woolly aphis has left ugly swellings on apple .'growths, paint these with Red Oil 1 in 10. Attend to the grafting of fruit .trees, as the sap is now rising. Apply the Bordeaux spray to the apples at the “greentip” stage.