HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1940, Page 8

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

Fruit, Flowers and Vegetables WORK FOR THE WEEK VEGETABLE GARDEN. The growth of leeks is now almost finished; any arrears of earthing up should be completed. Plant out seedlings of silver beet; this crop requires adequate supplies of potash. Make new plantations of horse radish. Be careful to remove every particle of root when clearing out an old bed. Examine onions in store. Remove any showing the least sign of moisture, mould or growth. j Thin out and hoe between winter spinach; pull off any yellow foliage. The thinnings can be used. Cut down and burn theftops of Jerusalem artichokes. Spread the ashes on the ground. * Prepare ground for onion planting. Hand weed autumn sown onions. If the tips begin to turn yellow spray with lime sulphur. Sow early peas in well-drained soil.) Sow broad beans. Heavy soil suits them. Clean up all the debris of summer crops ' and burn all diseased material. Make fresh plantations of rhubarb; give the 'established beds a good mulch of animal manures. The clearing of root crops gives an opportunity to rough dig the ground ready for spring. FRUIT GARDEN. Any gummed parts on stone fruits should be cut out cleanly and wounds painted over with Bordeaux powder and linseed oil. Holes made to plant fruit trees should be large enough to accommodate the roots without cramping. A frequent cause of failure with fruit trees is the placing of manures where they will come into direct contact with the roots. Commence pruning. Start with currants and gooseberries, then follow plums, peaches, apples and pears. Vines should be pruned as soon as leaves, have fallen. Manure established fruit trees. Surface manuring of fruit trees is of immense value. Raspberry and loganberry plantations should be pruned and cleaned up. Manure the ground and.tie up the canes; clear away the weeds among the canes by hoeing or forking. Do not use a spade among raspberries or loganberries. Complete ‘the strawberry planting as soon as possible so that the plants can make fresh root. 1 FLOWER GARDEN. Iceland poppies coming into flower will appreciate a topdressing. With the season of flower shortage approaching, winter flowering shrubs will be welcome; make a note of these for planting. Cut down the dahlias and chrysanthemums when they have finished their season of bloom. Tender rock plants should be protected by placing a sheet of glass over them. Rake up fallen leaves, stack them and cover with soil or wire netting. Prepare for rose planting as soon as weather improves. Cut down herbaceous plants that have finished flowering. Give the border a general clean up and apply manure. Place order for roses. Choose established, reliable sorts. Dig up and replant Michaelmas daisies. The offsets on the outer part of the clump are the best. Shrubs should be planted as soon as soil is right. Place the order at once. Cinerarias should be protected if nights get very cold. Any loose, dry material will do, such as straw, or light branches of tea-tree or macrocarpa. Plant out annuals for spring flowering to get them established while the soil still has some warmth. Lightly fork between the bulbs;'showing through the ground to keep down the weeds.