THE WEEK'S WORK. TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume 304, Issue 304, 23 December 1926, Page 10 (Supplement)

THE WEEK'S WORK.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

* THE FLOWER GARDEN. _j £ Chrysz:: l.emums growing for decorative or cut-flower purposes H * shc_!d have the tops pinched out to encourage a bushy habit. ;• i. Dahlias and Chrysanthemums will need attention to staking and Jj * tying. . Remove the old flower heads of Rhododendrons and Azaleas to __ if. prevent seed pods forming. A : :. Rhododendrons and Azaleas will benefit from a mulching of well ■' £ rotted manure or old leafmould. jl * Seed of biennials and perennials such as Canterbury Bells, Aquilegias, si .: Myosotis, Wallflowers, Primulas, Primroses, can be sown now. .; 4= Prepare for layering Border Carnations. The plants should be sj J cleaned of all bad foliage, and the soil round the plants loosened 3 £ with a small handfork. s] -i ; Pinks can be propagated from cuttings or pipings. The cuttings sj _i. should be dibbled into firm, sandy soil, and must be kept close JJ * and shaded until rooted. i, * Peg down Verbenas, Phlox Drummondi and Petunias, it prevents the * $_ plants from getting twisted about with the wind. T if Stake herbaceous plants. The plants, if staked early in the season, s * are not nearly so much trouble, and are much more easily kept '_ 2 under control. s * Remove the old flower spikes of Delphiniums. To allow seed to ; 3f mature is to impoverish the plants. . sj: Remove the seed pods from Gladioli. Do not allow the seed to s =. mature unless it is required. Gladioli seed very freely, and it * A. takes a lot out of the bulbs to have to mature seed. If a little : sfc seed is required for sowing just save one pod, re -loving tbe rest. ; jjj Roses must have the old seed pods removed, and if there is any sign ; _\z of mildew or aphis the bushes should be sprayed. * Tie in the long growths of Rambler Roses, if left they thresh about \ 2 and get broken by the wind. : * Mulch Pansies and Violas, remove old seed pods, and where the jjj growths are long they can be cut back. 1 jf. Sweet Peas must be kept free of old blooms and seed pods, if they are 3j to continue blooming. * Plant out Salvias, Petunias, Dahlias, Chrysanthemums, Zinnias, sjc Salpiglossis, Celosias, also sow seed of Portulacca. * i * THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Jl The hoe should be freely used. The season has been so bad that the s|: ground has got quite hard, and unless the surface is broken it X will crack badly. :£ Between Cabbage, Cauliflower and large plants of many vegetables * the best way to break up the soil is a light digging with the -t- garden fork. * Discontinue cutting Asparagus; the " grass " should be supported to ¥ prevent the wind or storms breaking it down. sj: Plant out Celery. The plants should receive a watering before being * lifted so as to ensure that the plants lift with a ball of soil. % A sowing of Runner Beans made now will give a good late crop. Stake * the plants as soon as they begin to " run." jj! Make sowings of Dwarf Beans, Beet, Turnips, Lettuce and Radish to sj: suit requirements. jjj Marrows and Pumpkins which have started to run should have the * points nipped out to encourage the formation of fruit-bearing sfc lateral shoots. $ Make a planting of Leeks. They can either be planted in trenches or $ on the flat; in the latter case paper collars can be used, or the soil J drawn up to them for blanching purposes.