IN THE GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23948, 15 May 1943, Page 3

IN THE GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK [By W. J. HUMM.] FLOWERS Push on with the cleaning up o£ all beds and borders. The leaves of most of the deciduous plants have not yet fallen; where possible these should be dug in again or stacked. They soon rot and make excellent material for top-dressing rhododendrons, azaleas, and all surface-rooted plants. When cleaning up the shrub borders do not dig too deeply. Deep cultivation often does more harm than good, as subjects such as rhododendrons, heaths, azaleas, boronias. and lilacs are all surface rooting, and if the roots of these are disturbed now the plants will suffer. Spading the surface lightly is all that should be done at present. Any deep cultivation required should be done when the plants have finished flowering. Remember that all plants which bloom during the next five months produce their flowers on the young growths made last year, and if these growths are shortened back now the grace of the plant, as well as most of the flowers, will be lost. If any of those spring-flowering subjects need pruning do it immediately the flowers fade. The mpority of shrubs that flower after November mav be pruned during the winter months, as they flower on the'growths which are produced in the spring. When shrubs have been neglected and have become overgrown quite a safe way of improving them is by thinning out. This means cutting out all weakly, crowded and useless growths, and the removal, if necessary, of a portion of the stronger ones. On no account shorten back any of the growths retained. VEGETABLES Dig and trench all vacant plots. Do not add manure where root crops are to be grown unless it is placed well down in the bottom of the trench. Manure is liable to cause root crops to develop side roots. Take advantage of a fine day and finish the moulding up of celery and leeks. Keep the soil frequently stirred between all growing crops. Plant cabbages for early crops. Sow broad beans and peas in a sheltered place. Lift rhubarb and seakale for forcing. Lift and stofe carrots and beet. Lettuce may be planted in sheltered positions. Do not neglect the herb patch. Now is the time to plant mint, sage, thyme, and such plants. Quite often these plants are put in any out-of-the-way place, and often as not under shade. FRUIT The soil is in splendid condition for planting. Black, red, and white currants and gooseberries may be planted at once. Although apple, pear, peach, and apricot trees are holding on to their leaves much later this season it will not be long before the general planting of these can begin. By getting the planting done early the trees will settle down before the heavy frosts. The more cultivation the ground gets before the trees are planted the better the trees will thrive. Cherry trees should be planted early. A warm, silty, well-drained soil suits them. More cherries are ruined by overpruning than by any other cause. If the trees are making too much wood -growth it is better to root than branch prune them. Bedford Prolific, Black Heart, Begarrcau. Napoleon, St. Margaret, and Werder's Early Black are reliable sorts. Raspberries do well if planted early in the season. They may be planted in single rows with the canes one foot apart, or three in a clump, allowing three feet between the clumps. GRAIN AND PRODUCE CANTERBURY MARKETS The market for most classes of grain and produce continues firm, but the lack of shipping is retarding business with the North Island. This relates mainly to potatoes and chaff. The position noted last week in respect of potato shipment has not altered. There is inquiry from the north for supplies. Algerian oats arc in short supply and prices are firm. It is difficult to obtain any quantity of Algerians, and the quality is not up to the usual standard. One of the reasons advanced for the shrinkage in Algerian production is the changing by many growers from feed oats to Gartons in response to the appeal last season to grow more of this variety. There has been some chaffing of white oats. The North Island has purchased some consignments of chaff, the feed position in various districts having been affected by the continued dry weather. The chaff market is firm at about £4 5s a ton, on trucks, sacks extra. Small seeds, such as certified mother white clover, and certified Montgomery red, maintain their demand, and perennial and Italian ryegrass, of good germination, are meeting with steady inquiry. The range of prices, supplied by the president of the North Canterbury Grain, Seed, and Produce Merchants’ Association, is as follows, all prices being on trucks at country stations, sacks extra, unless otherwise stated:— Wheat.—Gs 3Jd a bushel for Tuscan f.0.b.; Hunters. 6s 5Jd; Pearl, Gs 7Jd; Marquis. 6s 9Jd. Potatoes.—P.a.q. tabic. £7 15s a ton; f.a.q. Sutton’s table, £8 5s a ton f.0.b., s.i. Perennial Ryegrass.—Up to 4s a bushel (seed of good germination); Italian ryegrass. up to 4s a bushel (seed of good germination). Red Clover. —Up to 9d per lb. White Clover.—Up to Is 6d per lb (nominal ). r Cocksfoot. —Is to Is 3d per lb. Algerian Oats,—3s a bushel. G. 8.0.5. Chaff—£4 5s a ton. Lupins.—3s to 3s 3d a bushel.