HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 December 1940, Page 2

HINTS FOR THE AMATEUR

Fruit, Flowers and Vegetables WORK FOR THE WEEK FLOWER ,GARDEN. Delphiniums for exhibition will require copious supplies of liquid manure. When the summer bedding plants are ( all in position, look after the primroses and polyanthus, which require division and a cool place for the summer. As the aubretias and other cushion plants pass out of flower, they may be 'reduced in size to give more room for other plants. Any seedlings of perennials that are large enough should be transferred to nursery beds or to their final positions. Climbers growing against walls and buildings often suffer from dryness at .the root in summer; give a good soaking of water occasionally. VEGETABLE GARDEN. Plant tomatoes. Do not use fresh manure at planting time. Any weak or diseased plants of early ’plantings should be destroyed and replaced with fresh plaints. Tomato spraying is essential, and to be successful itjshould be started a few days after planting. Earth up potatoes as( they require it. Peas, cabbage, cauliflowers should jhave the soil drawn up to them. Rhubarb should have frequent supplies of liquid manure to. keep up a supply of stalks. Fowl manure is one iof the best manures for rhubarb. The thinning out of seedlings should be done well if the best results %re to be obtained. Commence to thin as soon as the plants ace large enough to handle. Salads should be sown frequently to keep up a succession. Well manured ground is also necessary. A few square yards of ground will produce ’plenty of salading for a family. Large plantings are a mistake. Protect seedlings from birds by stretching strands of black cotton about three inches above the'ground. I FRUIT GARDEN. Old gooseberry bushes are much improved by liberal applications of liquid manure af this season. Grafts which have taken on fruit-trees will be all the better for some support in case of damage by wind. Spray apples at ten day intervals to control the codlin moth. Continue to ’remove all the side growths from tomatoes and feed when the first truss of fruit, is swelling. Silver leaf is appearing among the stone fruit; cut out and burn all affected branches while they can bd seen.