IN THE GARDEN.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20088, 18 November 1930, Page 6

IN THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. J (Br*eT.ixt.T warmx »o» urr raaas.) [By J. T. Sinclair.] j VEGETABLES. Whether an early sowing of runner beans was risked or not, as adv»6ed, ft sowing should be made now. The beans should have rich ground for tha Foots to run in, and it is advisable to plant in a shallow trench, as once they begin to bear well, cop.ous supplies of water will be needed. The same remarks apply to frencli beans. It is wise to choose a warm, sheltered site for this sowing, and successional sowings can go in the more open parts of the garden. Broad beans are scarcely worth sowing now, unless one lias a heavy, strong soil that is fairly cool. The sowing of broaU beans that was made last autumn should, as soon as a plentiful crop has set, have the tops pinched out, to throw strength into the growing pods, and to check the ravages of black fly, if this pest should be in evidence. The plants from the sowing put in in August should form a good •succession, and should carry on well until plenty of other vegetables are available. If celery trenches are not already made, get this work done at once, as t.lie ridges between the trenches are just the place to grow supplies of lettuces, radishes, etc. during the summer months. Cucumbers in frames will bs growing apace now, and the growths should bo stopped at every fruit showing, taking out any useless growths. Top-dress with fresh soil as needed. Plant out the hrussels sprouts as i "■aan as ready, allowing plenty of room. Three feet lietwecn the rows, and two and a half foel Vie'ween the plants in the row. should be ample. Make successionnl plantings of cnbbng© and cauliflower, and savovs for winter raav l»e sown now. choosins f/<ir"o Drumhead or Green Curled, whichever is preferred. Vacant ground i<« usually scarce wh"n the savoys are r'sadv to go out. the trro"nd where t>i« enrlv erons of potatoes have come off very often being used for these. FLOWERS. Seeds of wallflowers. 6.veet Williams Canterbury bells, and other plant" grown for spring and early summer displays in the garden can b« sown now. If there is no convenience to sow in boxes, they can bo sown thinly on a piece of well prepared grounU outside, transplanting as soon as laigo enough into rows, and growing on un til autumn, when they take the place of the summer occupants of the uecls and borders. • Another planting of gladioli can bo made now. These will on a succession of the flowers after those lirst planted are over. Boxwood edgings that need cutting should have attention at the present time. An annual clipping keeps the box neat, and by not allowing it to grow there is less harbour for slugs and other i>csts <» the garden. Examine roses for the appearance of green aphis, and spray at once if it is m evidence. AH recently sown grass seeds should be rolled at intervals and cut, when the rrrass will soon thicken out. Wcoin older lawns should be taken out. and the holes filled with soil. Lawn sand or sulphate of ammonia can be sprinkled on the weeds to be got rid of. Carnation beds should bo kept clean by running the hoe throueh tho beds, and if green fly attacks tho plants, at once. . ' ' Theru is no doubt that just now the different varieties of tulips are the most prized of the different flowers ok the garden. They are so bright and flower at a timo when flowers are not too plentiful. Where tulips nre used for a spring display in the beds, it mav be that one cannot wait until the bulbs have fully ripened off, as the beds will be wanted foo* summer occupants. In this case, if the plants are lifted carefullv and heeled in sorrewhere where tho sun does not strikes too hot on tlie plants, thev will rioen off quite well, and be qui to useful for another year. Once the tops have ripened off thoroughly. the bulbs mav be lifted and placed to dry in any airv shed where the -un does not reach them. When thoroughly drv fh°v should be cleaned removinc the offsets and stored in boxes- or if onl" n small ouantity is grown, sorted into sizes and placed in paper l>a<*s until planting time comes round again. FRUIT. Tf no severe frosts occur from now on, a considerable amount of thinning of the fruits of apples, pears, apricots, and peaches will bo needed if good fruit is desired. So far there appears to be the promise of a record crop of all these, and by all appearances it would be advantageous if quite half the fruit was removed from some of tho trees. Young trees should not be allowed to carry a heavy crop. GREENHOUSE. Cinerarias —Since the advent of th<» stellata and cactus types of cineraria, these plants are of greater value in a great many ways than, when there was only the large flowered variety. .Of course, these are still valuable, and there are wonderful colours amongst them and the size of the individual flowers is remarkable nowadays. But the colours amongst the star cinerarias and the cactus varieties are, 1 think, softer and more useful for decoration in the winter and spring; and what is an advantage is the spreading, bunching habit of the plants, which makes these varieties ideal for table and other decorations. For the furnishing of large conservatories they are of /the greatest use, for well « own plants in large enough pots will make handsome specimens, up to four feet in height. If a long season of these plants is desired, more than one sowing of ; seed will be necessary, but for ordinary purposes one will be sufficient, made about this time. The seed generally germinates quite freely, and their sowing should be adopted, 'so that the young plants may have every chance to grow Sturdy from the first. I'nns or shallow boxes will do equally well for the seeds, using a nice, light soil, which should be made quite fine on the surface. Cover the seeds ligh.tlv with some of the finer soil. The best position for the boxes or pans is a cold frame facing the south. When termination takes place, be careful that the voting plants are shaded from strong sunshine, as they are very tender during the fix-st stages of their growth, and irreparable injury will be caused by any neglect at this stage. As soon as the young plants have three jr four leaves, they should be potted into small pots, using some good, fibrous loam, a little leaf mould, and plenty of sharp band to make the mixture porous. Cinerarias, when doing well, make many roots, so they should he potted fairly firmly, as loose potting i.< apt to entourage a soft growth, instead of the sturdiness that is to be desired. When potting, take notice of rhe undersides of the leaves. Some of these will be of a bluish tinge, others red or whitish, and this is a fairly good guide to the colour of the flowers, As these are usually of the same shade,

so that if one follows this rule, a prejionderance of any one colour may bo avoided. A cool, moist atftosphere at all times, care in watering, and absolute cleanliness from greenfly are necessary if success is to be gained. Given these they will make rapid progress, mid repotting into larger pots, as necessary, should not be neglected, or continued free growth will bo arrested. 11' extra large specimens arc desired, pots of seven or eight inch as ui diameter will be needed for the final (jotting, usir.g a rougher compost than when tho plants were smaller. The plants should be kept in cold frames as long as it is safe in the autumn, covering at nights if early frosts threaten. When moved to the greenhouse, one where only enough heat 1 is used to keep out frost is to be preferred. Watch at all times for greenilv and fumigate at its first tippeariincc. The leaf miner sometimes is :i cause of trouble, but these can be \ept in check by picking out or squeezing when seen. Give the plants plenty of room at all times, and once they are Veil tooted in their flowering pots, feed with manure watc-r about twice a week. This water must always be weak.