Preparing The Garden

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 303, 23 December 1939, Page 6

Preparing The Garden

THE HOLIDAY season being upon us, the utmost endeavour must be made to place the various departments of the garden in the best possible condition. Neatness should be the order of the day. All transplanting should have been completed before the holidays actually began. Every vacant spot should have been filled, all weeds eliminated and the surface soil in the various flower beds and borders lightly stirred to conserve the moisture, benefit the plants and enhance the appearance of the garden generally. Bedding plants will need attention in pinching back and regulating their growth. Staking of lilies and Michaelmas daisies—is necessary. The holiday season with us occurs at a time when all Nature is at her best. Flowers of every shade and hue are abundant, not only in our gardens but in the uncultivated wilds. Our many grasses are in full bloom; our wild flowers and many showy weeds add to the riot of colour and enliven the charms . of the landscape, contrasting with many tints of foliage and soft verdure of the grass. Figs, oranges, olives, grapes, guavas and other fruit-bearing trees, also plants from sub-tropical climates, are to be seen flourishing side by side with the apples, pears and plums. AH these delights, together with the bright, sunny days we have been enjoying, must gladden the hearts of even the most casual observer of bountiful Nature and be a source of pleasure to rich ahd poof alike. As gardeners, we should welcome the Christmas season with deHght—for a more favourable period for the department of the garden it would be difficult to find! The weather has not suited all of us, but that is nothing to make a fuss about. It never will! frequent rains have administered to the requirements of trees, shrubs and plants; growth and bloom are everywhere abundant; everything presents a clean, healthy appearance. There are few insects to disfigure and damage the foliage; lawns and other grass plots are clothed in emerald green. Our holiday season occurs at a time when the flower and kitchen gardens are or should be, replete with their different subjects, and when the land is in a good state of cultivation and free from weeds. Consequently, the operator can enjoy a week or fortnight's leisure, knowing that everything is going on satisfactorily without immediate or constant attention. Where there is no conservatory or the garden can he left to look after itself for a few days without coining to any serious harm. Weeds will probably have a good time; they can soon be eliminated when we return from our holidays—cheerful prospect! * * * ♦ nectarine tree dropping its leaves A correspondent writes.:—l noticed in your garden notes, under the Problem Comer, that "Kooler" also mentioned that his tree was sprayed with caustic scxia while dormant and since with ; Bordeaux. I had similar trouble for two years, not only losing the leaves

but the fruit as well. I have since been advised that Bordeaux spray should only be used at winter strength during bud-burst or swelling—one ounce to one gallon of water. When the leaves begin to develop, lime sulphur should be used —1 to 180. It is too late for "Rooler" to.do anything now. He will probably lose his fruit a» well as the leaves this year, but? next year, if he refrains from using Bordeaux mixture, I am Bttr® he will find no" trouble. lam positive from the description given that the spray is the trouble.