HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1939, Page 4

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

FRUIT, FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. Leek and celery plants are ready for planting in permanent quarters. The cutting cf asparagus from weak beds should cease. Thin out the seedling vegetables before they become overcrowded. In dry weather peas are improved by a mulching of manure. Use the hoe freely to keep weeds down. Tomatoes can still be planted for late supplies. Keep tomatoes tied to their stakes; remove lateral growths; spray for caterpillar. Sow lettuces frequently and thin cut; this is better than transplanting. Radishes to be good in summer should be grown on moist soil in partial shade. Make a sowing of parsley for winter use. The digging-of early potatoes will leave room for the planting of cabbage and cauliflower crops for winter. .Plant leeks for winter supplies. Sow haricot beans for winter use. Sow dwarf or French beans. Keep lettuce supplied with water. Plant in well-manured soil. FRUIT GARDEN. Where the shoots on grafted trees are growing freely, the coverings can be removed; in some cases a light stake will be a protection. Branches showing silver leaf in fruit trees should be sawn out without delay. Trees against walls and fences are liable to suffer from dryness in spite of heavy rains. Spray apples and pears with arsenate of lead for codlin moth. Thin heavy crops of fruit. » Spray peach and nectarine trees for aphis. Mulch young fruit trees. All fruit trees should be inspected for sucker growths from the roots; ’ unless these are pulled off they will rob the tree of nourishment. As the shoots of loganberries lengthen, keep them tied in place. Examine the black currants for any signs of reversion. Affected bushes should be burned. FLOWER GARDEN. Plant dahlias; they need a rich soil. Flowering brooms should be pruned at once. Roses should be fed with liquid manure. Mulch the bed with rotten manure if possible. Remove the spent blooms from roses, cutting back to a good sound bud. Early-flowering subjects on the rock garden should be clipped over now that the flowers are past. Lilacs are often neglected; now is a good time to look over the bushes, removing thin and spindly wood, also basal growths. Spray roses for aphis and milcew. Remove surplus rose buds to allow those left to develop. Tie in growthss of rambler roses. Disbud border carnations. Keep flower stems tied up. Apply liquid manure. Keep sweet pea blooms closely cut. Annuals are growing rapidly and early thinning is advised; thin well out for the best results. Sow seeds of wallflowers and Brompton stocks for spring bloom.