THIS WEEK'S WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 50, 27 February 1915, Page 14

THIS WEEK'S WORK.

During Ihe past week a lot of time has been taken up picking caterpillars off the UrfliJias. These Insects seem to he taking ; advantage of this dry weather, for they are everywhere. t • The best time to catch them is the early morning before the sun Is too hot. Spraying with arsenate of lead, half an ounce to an ounce to the gallon, will help to keep them down. Tile spray should be kept off open flowere as much as possible, otherwise when it dries it will give the flowers a speckled appearance. Chrysanthemums should receive due attention to feeding. Those who require first-class blooms will need to be liberal in the quantity of plant food supplied. Dahlias will also do with some nttetrtioii to feeding: thee« plants are gross feeders, and soOn show 1 the effects of puor treatment. A few winter flowering sweet peas should be sown. Also a few annuals, su-eh as nemcsias, calendulas, cornflowers, gypsophlla, etc. The ground for summer flowering sweet peas should be got ready as soon ne possible. Carnation layers that are rooted i may be lifted and planted. Cuttings of bedding plants, such ac verbenas, petunias, ireslne, etc., i root very freely at the present Him '■ Use well drained candy soil ana keep the cuttings well shaded and , watered. Cuttings rooted now will pass through the winter much better than older plants. Begonias and glojdnlas should receive a little stimulant of some kind. Both these plante require plenty of water whilst growing. Sow a little cabbage, carrot, spinch, parsley, and turnip seed, it water can be given. If water cannot be used, the seed , is as well in the packet till we get rain. Plant a few cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower plants, also a few leeks may be planted now. Cabbage fly is very bad this seaeon, and young plante should be dusted with lime. Celery which was planted early should have a little soil drawn up round it. Keep dwarf and runner beans picked off as fast as they get to a usable size.;; - r j -a , - "The hoe should tie'kept going for one thing this year—the garden can be kept clean if it cannot be ■watered. I -*■