THE WEEK'S WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 13, 16 January 1926, Page 24

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN

Lift the Daffodils and Narcissi bulbs as soon as possible. The ground for the replanting should also be prepared. Lift the paper white Soliel dOr and the Poeticus varieties first. These sorts are resting but a very short time. The welcome rain will have made things look brighter in tbe garden, and any planting should be carried out now. Sow Portulacca seed. It germinates freely with the slightest moisture and will grow in tbe hottest weather. Roses will need the old spent blooms cut away. With tbe Wichuriana varieties, that is, such sorts as Dorothy Perkins, cut out the wood tbat has flowered, and encourage new young shoots. Cosmos, Zinnias, Marigolds, Salvia, can be planted now. These are autumn blooming and, planted now, they will make a good show later on. Top the Salpiglossis when the first (lowering is over. This encourages the formation of side shoots, which will throw a fair show of bloom. Now is a good time to sow Nasturtium and Mignonette seed. The Mignonette requires good soil with plenty of manure. Prepare the ground for Winter Sweet Peas. When working soil in a fairly dry condition it needs more firming than when in a wet sodden condition. The ground for Sweet Peas should be trenched as deeply as possible, and plenty of manure added. When replacing the soil at trenching or digging time break up tbe lumps and firm the lower layers by treading or by ramming them. Sweet Peas need rich firm soil. The cutting off of spent blooms is an important matter during the hot weather. Keeping a plant clean of useless blooms and preventing seed forming is a great help towards keeping the plants going. Watering will be freely indulged in by some people, and every watering should be followed by a hoeing to loosen the crust formed by the water. Hoeing is most important at this season of the year. It kill* weeds, conserves moisture and encourages a free growth. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Make sowings of Dwarf Beans to keep up a succession of supplies. A sowing of Peas can be made now where the soil is in a good rich condition, and where 'water can be given during dry weather. Support the growths of Asparagus. Next season's crop depends upon this growth maturing properly, and if broken down by wind this is impossible. Clear off or dig in any spent crops or weedy ground. Too often are weeds and spent crops allowed to grow and scatter seeds broadcast. If there is no immediate use for the ground, sow a crop of Turnips, Rape, Mustard, any quickly thick-growing crop, which can be dug in later on. Winter greens such as Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli which are showing signs of cabbage fly should be sprayed with arsenate of lead. Sowings of Lettuce and Radish can be made, but rich soil and plenty - of water will be necessary if they are to be brought to perfection during hot weather. Keep Tomatoes clean of side shoots and tie up the plants as they need it. Spraying with arsenate of lead for caterpillar will be necessary.