THE HOME GARDEN by R. W. Falconer

PLANT NOW FOR WINTER At this time of the year, in most localities, broad beans and onions, cabbages and winter lettuce varieties should be established. Where the soil is heavy and inclined to be wet during the winter months it is always wise to plant your lettuce, cauliflowers etc. on ridges. At this time of the year, many of the main crop varieties of spring planted vegetables will be coming to maturity. Harvest promptly and store all grade one vegetables for winter use. Be careful to handle pumpkins, potatoes, onions etc. with extreme care. When the land has been cleared of the old crops, dig immediately, and if not wanted for Autumn use, allow to fallow or sow down with a cover crop, such as lupins, red clover, oats etc, About an ounce of seed per square yard is all that is necessary to obtain a good green crop which can be dug in about August. Autumn is usually the time of the year when gardeners are keen to tidy up the home surrounds before the winter months are upon us. For instance the hedges are trimmed for the last time, and will not require further attention until the next spring. Trellis-work is given a coat of paint in company with garden gates. Where necessary this is the time to establish new lawns. Autumn plantings are usually the most successful, having winter rains and ample moisture to assist in consolidation. Now is the time when orders should be placed with local nurserymen for shrubs, roses, fruit trees, strawberry plants and the like. Therefore it is necessary to take stock of your requirements and place your order promptly, so as to eliminate disappointment later in the season.

FLOWER GARDENS The planting of spring flowering bulbs such as anemones, crocus, cyclamen, daffodils, tritonia, ranunculus, tulips and many others, should take place now. During March and April soil conditions are sometimes extremely dry. It is therefore often necessary to water the beds before transplanting. However if this is necesary it is also very wise to choose a dull day for the occasion. Make good sowings of all hardy annuals and perennias for planting at this season. Plant out pansies, dianthus, iceland poppies, godetia.

THE ORCHARD Citrus trees now require an Autumn dressing of fertilizer which should be very rich in nitrogen. Give a good dressing of a complete fertilizer, applying approximately one pound per year according to the age of the trees. For instance if a tree is five years it should receive five pounds of manure. This is a fairly reliable guide. Apples, peaches and plums also benefit from a top-dressing of superphosphate and potash which should be applied now. This season many reports have been received in respect of curly leaf infection on peaches and nectarines last spring. Much fruit has been deformed and trees have been left partially denuded of the foliage. If Home Gardeners would only take the precaution of applying a base spray of bordeaux at bud movement, which is usually about the middle of August, no further trouble would eventuate during the growing period of this particular fungus disease. The same applies to shothole fungus and bladder plum especially more susceptible on the Japanese varieties of plums. It is also very profitable to spray citrus with a white oil at the strength of one in thirty. This spray controls the soft and hard wax scale which in some districts and especially in home gardens is becoming very prevalent. If the common black aphid has been noticed a little nicotine sulphate at the rate of one in four hundred incorporated with the oil will control this troublesome pest. If grass or other weeds have been permitted to grow through the orchard it is a good plan to scythe now, placing the refuse under the trees but not too close to the trunk. During winter this trash will deteriorate and form valuable humus.

MATE A MAGAZINE OF N.Z. WRITING “Mate” No. 4, includes work by Maori writers, Mason Durie, Hone Tuwhare, John Pickering, and a note on Maori writing. An issue of interest to all readers of “Te Ao Hou”, “Mate” is available from booksellers or from the Editor, 23 Sentinel Road, Auckland, W.1. Single copies 3/-; four-issue subscriptions 12/- (post free).