THE WEEK'S WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1927, Page 25

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. The wet conditions of the (round have prevented much outside work, and it is a good policy to keep off the soil when it is saturated. r * ,n * * n ® water channels should be kept open to ensure the surplus water gets away quickly without flooding. *s " * good time to go over th**tool shed and give a good dean up ana overhaul. Tools should be thoroughly cleaned, sharpened and oiled. The wooden handles of spades, hoes, etc., last much loger if given a coating of linseed oil occasionally. Cuttings of many shrubs, especially deciduous kinds, can be made during wet days. After making heel them in wet moss or soil, D • n ® 'hey can be kept until the soil is in fit condition fop planting. Koses, Escallonias, Privet, Euonymous, Box. Red and Black Currants, Gooseberries, Hydrangeas, and many others can be rooted from cuttings made now. Polyanthus, Primroses, Echeverias and Box edgings can be taken up and replanted. All kinds of "live" edgings get ragged after a •eason or so, and should be renovated occasionally. Beds *nd borders should be dug over and manured. When digging between shrubs use a digging fork in place of a spade. Bulbs are showing through the ground, and where weeds are showing dig between the rows of bulbs with a digging fork. Just skim off two or three inches of the surface soil and turn it over. Chrysanthemums are over and the suckers are showing up. Keep them clear of as to ensure strong, sturdy cuttings and to keep the slugs, etc., at bay. Cuttings of Chrysanthemums can be taken as soon as Iney can be obtained. A little shade is necessary on bright days, but do not coddle the cuttings. Root and grow them as naturally a* possible. Many growers do not trouble to take unrooted cuttings, but are satisfied with rooted suckers taken in spring, with good results no doubt, but unrooted cuttings taken early and properly handled certainly have the best root system and give the bes! results. Newly-sown lawns have done particularly well this season, and where the grass has made good growth it should be mown with the scythe. If left the Italian rye and other vigorous, quick-growing grasses are inclined to smother the smaller but more permanent grasses. Do not delay putting in your orders for Roses, Chrysanthemums and Dahlias for next season. It is a great mistake to leave things to the last minute, and find that some are sold out and others e are second-rate stuff. The nurseryman will hold your order till you are ready. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Clean up the Asparagus bed. Cut iwijr the old tops and clean off any berries lying on the ground; if left the seed germinates, with the result that the bed gets covered with a lot of small seedlings, which choke out the original plants. Artichokes are now ready for digging. These are best left in the ground till required, although if it is necessary to clear the ground they can be dug and stored. Cabbage and such like will receive benefit from having the soil pulled up to the stalks; it not only keeps the plants firm, but it helps to throw off surplus water and keeps the roots drier. Ground for early Potatoes and Peas should be prepared. A good deal of the success of early crops depends upon whether the ' soil is well drained. Planting on raired beds or on gentle slopes all tend to let the surplus water drain off quickly. Of course, freedom from frost is also a factor, but free drainage is the principle to achieve. Seed Potatoes for early planting should be sprouted. Sprouted seed has a three weeks' start of unsprouted, and any blind or weak tubers can be picked out before planting. Do not be too anxious to get on the ground or work soil when saturated. It will pay you to wait a few days for the soil to dry out a little. Draining the garden is an expense, but when dealing with small areas it pays, because it means earlier crops, ground more easily and quickly workable after rain; consequently mors frequent and larger crops arc obtainable.