THE WEEK'S WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 27, 1 February 1930, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. Herbaceous plants, sucly as Heleniums and Michaelmas Daisies, should be securely staked to keep them upright. Lavender should be cut for drying when about half the flowers are open, i , Cuttings of Lavender and other shrubs can. be rooted now 1 inserted in sandy soil and kept shaded. This is a good time to make cuttings of the Garden Pink. Gladiola seed should be gathered as soon as the • pod shows signs cf cracking. s , Unless required for seed purposes, all spent flowers or Gladioli should be removed. _ Bulb planting time is now here, and the ground is best prepared as spon as possible. ... . ... Bulb lifting can be done now. The soil is in good condition for working. The Poeticus section should be lifted first, and replanted as soon . as possible. In such a moist season as the present these hardly leave off growing. ; 1 «• Carnation layering can be done. Select good strong shoots for layering. ' Sow seeds of Biennials and Perennials for • planting out in autumn. Cyclamen, Primulas, Carnations, Sweet Canterbury Bells, Delphiniums, Statice can be sown now. Dahlias need attention every few days. Do not be afraid of using the knife to keep the plant shapely, and also cut the blooms freely. Chrysanthemums need tying and disbudding. Spray for the rust.. Give a top-dressing of good rich soil. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. It has been a wonderful season, and so far there has been a full supply of Peas and Beans. • .. Beans should be kept closely gathered, and not allowed to become stringy. ,1 Tomatoes should be disbudded and kept securely staked. Spraying is essential, although, from the complaints, the impression would be that spraying is useless. The fact is we must have " clean" seed and apply jthe spray as soon as the plants have leaves. , Clear off cabbage stumps and foliage. If any old cabbages are left, either feed them to stock or bury them. The cause of a lot of our garden troubles is due to this " rubbish " and spent crops lying about. A sowing of Turnips and Swedes can be made. Plant Celery in the trenches ■ that have been prepared. Give the young plants a watering as soon as planted and shade if the weather is sunny. Onions and Eschallots can be pulled up as soon as they mature. The bulbs will need well drying this season. . If there is any idea of saving seed from any crop nriake sure that the plant is disease free. Attend to hoeing between e crops, weeding,''etc. This season the necessity of stirring the surface has* been very urgent. A little neglect and the weeds soon overrun a patch.