YOUR GARDEN AND MINE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 41, 5 April 1940, Page 41

YOUR GARDEN AND MINE

By

Ann Earncliff

Brown

(No. 27)

Monkey Tricks OR many weeks now I have seen that the poplars along the road frontage must be shorn of their year’s amazing growth. The family, adepts in the art of garden procrastination, have agreed politely but with an almost convincing sincerity have added that it is much better to wait till all the leaves are gone. "We can see the old line of attack then and make a really nice job for you, later." All of which is so reasonable and obvious that I’ve shut my eyes to the equally obvious fact that the power-lines leading in to the low roof of our cottage are hidden in a green tangle. No! Nemesis has not overtaken us. The power still flows in for all domestic purposes, and the family Easter has not been spent in snipping laboriously from

a rickety ladder. The kindly Providence that put the road light out of commission last week saw to it that its efforts were, shall I say, 100% benign? The Council truck and two efficient workers arrived, and in a trice the faulty lamp was replaced. But the too exuberant growth around the power lead-in was commented on, and with my ready permission, quickly removed. And they have earned my lasting gratitude by introducing me to "The Monkey on a Stick." Do you know it? It is a very exciting and useful garden gadget, one whichwhile the novelty lasts, anyhow — even the most reluctant gardeners will use with pleasure. While hardware merchants are familiar with requests for "A Stick Monkey," the more correct among you may prefer to ask for " Pole Secateurs," the more casual for "snipper things stuck on a long stick!" This is exactly what you need for all out of reach pruning.