IN THE GARDEN.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18926, 15 February 1927, Page 7

IN THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. ' (BPZCIALLT WRITTEK FOE THE PRESS.) (By J. T. Sinclair.) ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Rangiora—Your roses are attacked by mildew, and should be iprayed at ouee with lime-sulphur. The under as well as the upper sides of the leaves should be sprayed, also the stems.

VEGETABLES. Lettuce.—From now to the end of the month sow for winter use. Make the bed in a sunny, sheltered spot. The soil, as well as being well worked, must, if at all dry, get a good soaking some hours before the seed is town. Sow in drills from Din to Ift apart, and sow very thinly in the drill. Brown cos is .the best and hardest. Cos lettuce for present sowing and all the year round is one of the leading sorts iu the cabbage clots. Cabbuges.—l'lic end of the month brings tno question of the spring cabbage crop once more to the fore. It is a very simple matter to sow cabbage seed in early spring and get a good germination, Om a seed bod for late summer sowing needs special preparation. Make tho bed, prepare and water as udvised for lettuce, or the seedlings will come up straggling and be of a weak growth. Non-bolting kinds, such as. Flower of Spring and Sutton's April only should be sown. Many other kinds will stand the.winter quite as well, but soon run to seed with the advent of warm weather in spring. Plentiful supplies of water must be given to the seed bed from the time the seed is sown until the plants are set out. During the next few weeks, when cutting cabbages, leave a few lower leaves attached to the old stem. In a short time "-young sprouts will form on the.old stem.and these are delicious as young cabbages Diamond-back Moth.—Wherever any of ,tho brassica family is cultivated, this scourge makes itself felt at this time of the year, for although breeding is nearly continuous all the year it is at the present time that most moths are fluttering about. It is the grub cf the moth .that does tho damage, and it is a difficult insect to get at, as it usually "attacks the leaves from the underside. . Many of the late planted broccoli and savoys have their foliage full of holes, .and unless the grubs are checked the plants will soon be in a sorry; state, t Arsenate of lead, kerosene emulsion; or any of the emulsified spraying oils can.be used acta ins t insects. The underside of the foliage must be dealt with, but', poison should riot be used' on cabbages' closing over.

FRUIT.. Seasonable Work.—Raspberry bushes not yet relieved of " exhausted aiid superfluous canes should be attended to in this matter. without delay. The weakest of the current season's growth should be cut back to the ground leaving one or two more than will be required for next year's crop. Attend to the preparation of the ground for the new strawberry plantation as was advised in this column last week. Loganberries, like raspberries, should bare all the old and useless wood cut but. Codlin moth is very prevalent this year, in some cases more than formerly, this, too, in orchards ' which hare been sprayed in the usual way. Needless to say, all infested fruit should be picked up and destroyed. Red mite, also, is a. pest, especially so. where the. soil is liptht and dry. • The .exceptionally dry spell of late is no dounl responsible for the- bad attack of these two nests. Where the crop is heavy, and the soil dry, the fruit will lie improved if a cood soakinc is given to the roots. With red snider being so plentiful in some subjects, it is sure..sooner or later, to eet. into.the vinery, and as a preventive, dry sulphur can be shaken or dusted over the foliage. Do not overwater the vine border, na too much water when the berries are colouring causes varieties such as . Gros Colmar to crack.

FLOWERS. Tufted Pansiea (violas).—Owing ~ to the unusual dry spell some- of these have turned yellow, and have collapsed earlier than usual. Where there are any healthy plants there may possibly be a sufficient number of shoots developing at. the - crowns from which it will be possible to raise a fresh stalk. If a little care be observed,.many.of : these shoots may be detached.- with a root or two adhering to each, and when these rooted shoots are secured. there is little danger of the young plants failing. The cutting , bed. should be in some moist, shaded position, the surface made level, and be Well watered a few hours before the cuttings are put in. Insert the" cuttings in rows, press the soil firmly at the base, water in through a fine rose, and keep the soil just moist all the time. If mildew puts in an appearance, dust with sulphur. Schisanthus.—There are" plenty of enthusiastic flower lovers who declare that the schisanthus or. butterfly .flower is the most beautiful pot-plant they know, and for greenhouse decoration in the spring there are few' flowers to surpass it. Seed can be sown in light, • porous compost, pots,. pans, or boxes can be used, and can be stored in a cold frame. . The seedlings soon become leggy if not given plenty of light, and to guard against that the young plants mast be kept as near the light as can be done with safetv. during the winter. Calceolorias.—The seedlings should be E ricked out as soon as they can be andled- conveniently, as a change of soil is beneficial, and no advantage is gained by leaving them in the seed pan. To keep the plants sturdy, cool treatment must be given at all times, and a sharp look out must be kept for greenfly, as these plants are very subject to this pest. . \ Violets.—The season has been very unfavourable for the growth of the sweet violet. It is very subject to be attacked by red spider; even if the period of drought be of short duration, out where it is prolonged, and water is not supplied abundantly, the result may be disastrous. When the foliage assumes a more or less yellow tint it is a sure indication of the presence of this pest -in - large numbers. It is a difficult matter to get rid of red spider on any subject when this foliage is, as is the case with the violet, close to the ground. A good plan is to let water run on this plant for a good' while, and then when the plants are dry. to dust among the. leaves, and particularly on the under side, a liberal simply of sulphur. Current Work.—Continue to layer carnations and picotees until the desired number of plants is seenred. Take the buds of chrysanthemums as soon as they are in a fit condition and watch f° r KT**h« at tl*e <points of the shoots. Mignonette sown for winter flowering in pots should be .thinned out in the nots if the plants aw too thick. Keep them growing near the glass to encourage a sturdy habit.