THE WEEK'S WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 266, 9 November 1935, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. Keep the hoe going so as to procure a loose surface. The hoe is useful for keeping down -weeds. , Most hardy and half-hardy annuals can be sown now, and those ready for planting can be put out at once. Border Carnations throwing up flower spikes should be staked, ihe plants should be cleaned and the surface of the soil stirred with the hoe. , Dahlias can be planted as soon as possible. It is a good plan to stake each one when planted. The soil for Dahlias must be good and well manured. Dahlias are gross feeders and good cultivation is necessary to produce good blooms. Old Dahlias that have been left in the ground should, if not lifted, have the shoots reduced to one only. Chrysanthemums are making good headway and should be planted out as soon as possible. These need the best of soils to come to perfection. Roses are blooming and watch must be kept for the first signs of aphis or mildew. This also applies to Chrysanthemums and Carnations. A good spray is lime-sulphur solution 1-25 and a teaspoonful of black leaf 40 added to each gallon of spraying mixture. Young seedling plants of Aster, Phlox, Zinnias and Salvia should be handled as soon as ready. Have the beds ready so that as loon as the plants are fit they can be handled. The lawn should be kept well mown and the edges trimmed. Many shrubs are now going out of flower, such as Spireas, Lilacs, Guelder Rose, Forsythias, Azaleas, etc., and the time to prune is as soon as flowering is over. Climbing Roses are sending up long growths from base and these should be tied in to prevent breakage by winds. THE GREENHOUSE. Plenty of ventilation will be necessary. Shading according to requirements of plants must be applied. On a hot sunny day it will be necessary to dampen the floor and benches two or three times. Tuberous Begonias and Gloxinias must be carefully watered. Fumigation will be necessary to keep down insects. Sowings of Cinerarias, Primulas and Calceolaria can be' made. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Continue Potato planting. Spray and earth up any crops now ready. Sow Pumpkins, Pie Melons, Cucumbers, Rock and Water Melons. Tomato planting should be done as plants are available. Good, strong, sturdy plants are best, even if somewhat small. Early planted Tomatoes should have all side growths picked off. Spray from the start; do not wait till you see the disease. Keep on sowing and planting Lettuces, Radish and other salads so as to keep up the successional supply. Tall varieties of Peas require staking. Sow and plant runner and dwarf Beans. Runner Beans will transplant if carefully lifted and watered. Keep the Onion crop clean and the surface loose by hoeing. Plant out Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Cauliflowers, Cabbage, etc. These can be put in the furrow after the Potatoes are earthed. Make a sowing of Sweet Corn. Make sowings of Runner, Dwarf, Haricot and Lima Beans. Runner Beans left from last year are showing growth and need to be trained to their supports. Thin crops of Parsnips, Turnips, Carrots, etc. Melons, Cucumbers and Pumpkins can be sown in the open ground. Make further sowings of Peas. Earth and stake those sown earlier. Celery can be sown. Prepare the trenches early and use them for Lettuce and Spinach till Celery is ready. THE FRUIT GARDEN. Spray Apples and Pears with arsenate of lead for codlin moth. This spray must be applied as soon as most of the petals have fallen to be fully effective. Spray Peaches and Plums with lime-sulphur to control brown rot. It is advisable to thin out heavy crops of fruit. Keep ground clear of weeds and grass. This is as essential in the orchard as in the vegetable garden.