IN THE GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23319, 3 May 1941, Page 4

IN THE GARDEN

. y WORK FOR THE WEEK CSPSCIiLX-l wniTTKN FOB TUB PRESS.) [By W. J. HUMM.] FLOWERS Lose no time in getting on with this important work. Spade over all beds and borders. If any manures are available work them in as digging proceeds. Leave the surface rough; by so doing better aeration will take place and the soil .will be sweetened. Ih tidying up, many are tempted to prune their shrubs with the object of improving their appearance and as often as not do them much harm. All winter and spring flowering subjects should not be pruned now. The best time to prune them is after the flowering period is finished.--Where shrubs have overgrown their the spindly and exhausted growths may be pruned out. Plant polyanthus, primroses, wallflowers, pansies, violas to . make a spring effect. Perennials such as phlox, paeomes, delphiniums, lupins, hollyhocks, pentstemons,’gypsophila, and the majority' of herbaceous plants may be put in now. Lift and store the late crop of gladioli. Plant the large flowering clematis now if you wish them to get a start before the heavy frosts arrive. Plant lily of the valley now, These' plants will do well in shaded positions. Carnations should be planted as soon as possible. ■ It is a mistake to dig deeply round flowering shrubs. Root disturbance in no-way helps the plant and in many case? has a detrimental effect. ! VEGETABLES Dig all vacant plots as soon as possible. Applying manure at the same time will increase the humus and improve the soil’s texture. Ground left uncultivated until spring becomes sour and insanitary and if it Is liable to water-log it becomes infertile.. Earth up celery and leeks as they need it. Clean the tops off asparagus. Clean the beds and give a light dress;, ing of litter—not heavy manure. Heavy manure is applied in November, after cutting ceases. Gather marrows and pumpkins before the frosts doharm to them. Parsnips are best left .in the ground and dug as required. - Artichokes, too. should be left in and dug as required. Lift and store beetroot aid carrots. These do not improve when left in the soil. . ’ Sow early peas now in a welldrained soil. These should be ready for use by November next. Plant lettuce to stand through the winter. Sow broad beans now in a well-drained soil. Plant cabbages and cauliflowers for next spring supplies. When preparing the soil for these apply lime. It is most important to keep the surface soil well hoed where crops are growing. ____ FRUIT •

Take advantage of the early planting season and get strawberries planted as soon as possible. If planted now they will make roots and get established before the winter sets in. Raspberries, black currants, gooseberries, loganberries, and worcesterberries may be planted now. ' x Spade lightly under fruit trees. Deep cultivation will do more harm than trees need manure blood and bone applied now at the rate of v 4oz to the square yard will hlep them. The active feeding roots .are just beyond the extremities of the branches. The manure, will serve no purpose if placed too near the trunks of the tj»Q6S. Walnuts may npw be planted. Give them plenty of room and s ee . that sharp drainage is given. They, wig do no good where the soil is habt#«to waterlog in winter. Lime - should fbe glven ‘ the GLASSHOUSE Keeb plenty of air circulating when the weather is suitable. Water - with judgirneht at this time of theiyOar.Jrot plants Kept too .wet cannot be.heathy. Save a supply ot potting; .soil . The compost -must be -ffllWvi-W tiirned several; times before W « for use. Mixing compost and jpsipg TJ., the same day never gives good results. All ; geranium and other’sof t-wooded plants should now be under the hover of a frame or glasshouse. • Cyclarnen coming into flower may-;be given liquid manure. Fuchsias that have finished flowering should' be stood under the bench and rested* . o Pot on gchizanthus and give them a position in full‘sun. GivecideranaS more room to develop. They, need all the light possible, Deutche pearl azaleas should now be under glass. on primula obcoriica as they, fill their present pots with roots. ' , Pelargoniums and geraniums should have their leading growths pinched back. This will encourage lateral growths on which Sowars will be borne more freely. < SHRUBS The spindle berries are very effective this season. The majority of them have been most-prolific in their berry production. The foliage, too, has assumed very , bright colours. The species atropurpurea has excelled itself. The foliage is exceptionally brilliant. It is a compact grower. Good natured, it will stand exposure and does not require any pruning. It grows about eight feet tall and does best in a sunny position.