WORK IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 24226, 20 June 1942, Page 3

WORK IN THE GARDEN

POULTRY AND PIGEON MANURES THEIR USE EXPLAINED Now is the time to prepare manures ami compost, so that they will be ready to use when the sowing and planting season arrives. There is bound to be a shortage of the ordinary manures. The wise gardener will look around for substitutes to lake 1 their place. It is very important lo apply a good dressing of plant foods for the various crops this coming season. Every gardener should endeavour to double his crops, especially with the root crops, as these ran he stored to cover over a long period for consumption in the home. One of I Inmost useful of the manures, which is very rich in plant food and I am afraid is often wasted by throwing it over a plot of ground, is fowl and pigeon manure. This valuable plant food, if it is prepared in a practical manner, is one of the richest, of the natural manures. When new it is not an easy suhslance io use, ami when dry it becomes lumpy, also when ajlowed lo become exposed to the air. The nitrogen is present as urate and carbonate of ammonia. These two forms arc liable to escape and be lost. Poultry manure must be in a fairly dry and powdery condition if it is to be applied easily, but care must he exercised in preparing if. The best means of dealing with it is lo have a large tub or box, and then place in It a layer about six inches in depth, covering it with a thin layer of fine dry soil. Continue to place layer afler layer until the receptacle is full. After it has been lying about two mouths it should be taken oul and thoroughly mixed together. For line seeds, if the compost, is passed through a coarse sieve, it will be found io be very valuable. It is also essential that the fowlhouscs should have a sprinkling of lime underneath where the fowls sleep: or it may he applied when the manure is being placed in the box or tub. This manure, when prepared in this way, makes excellent topdressings for' all growing crops, especially fruit. The quantity to apply slioifld be about 4oz to 6oz per square yard. Those who require pelting compost should at this stage commence to collect the necessary materia! and make it into a stack. 'The following will make an excellent pot ling compost: —First of all collect grassy turf and make a layer about, 6in to Sin in depth, then on this place a layer of rolled animal manure, or, failing this, rotted garden refuse. Then another layer of turf can be followed with a layer of leaves half-rotted, dusting these with a good dressing of oyster .shell or lime. Continue until there is sufficient for the season’s requirements. It is advisable to cover the stack from the prevailing rains. When the stack has been lying for about three months the whole may be dug back, mixing a little new lime with it in the operation. It should not be allowed to get wet after it has been mixed together. For early use, such as pricking off young seedlings, etc., the soil should be placed in the glasshouse for a few days’ so as to take out the chill from it. When using it a little wood ashes should be mixed with it. This will destroy any fungoid pests, which often cause the damping off of young seedlings. . THE SHRUBBERIES. All leaves should be dug in where they have fallen between the shrubs and trees. Do not rake them out, as these make excellent food for the youhg roots. If these are turned in with the spade about Biu will be quite sufficient. If any of the shrubs require pruning this should be, carried out before the digging is done. The planting of new varieties of trees and shrubs can now be carried out, or the transplanting from one site ’to another. Sites which are to be planted with ornamental and flowering -trees should now be prepared. See that the drainage is assured and work in plenty of well-rotted material before the planting takes place. THE VINERY. Those who intend to plant vines should new prepare the borders to receive them. Anyone who has a small glasshouse can cultivate grapes. Vines also supply the necessary shading for plant growing throughout the summer months. .. The variety most suitable for cold houses is the Black Hamburgh. There are other varieties c-f course, suoh as Gros ■Colmar, the king of grapes, but this variety must have a warm temperature to be a success in a cold house. Do not plant the rods outside the glasshouse, but make a border inside the house where the roots will always be under control. The border should be made well in the first place. Remove the soil about 6ft square down to the subsoil, and if. this should be clay take, the fork and break it up before placing a good layer of clinkers, breeze, or broken bricks. This will ensure good drainage, which is very important. On this place a double layer of turf with the grass underneath. After making it firm with the feet, a good layer of cow manure or other well-rotted animal manure should be placed on, followed with more turf and a sprinkling of hone meal, finishing with a layer of good rich soil, into which a liberal dressing of wood ashes has been mixed. This will be found sufficient to plant the vines at the start. Particulars as to planting, etc., will be given in season. A demonstration on grape growing will be given in July in the vinery of Mr Geo. Adess, Moana Crescent, Sunshine. All interested in grape cultivation are invited to attend. PRUNING DEMONSTRATION. The first pruning demonstration will be held on June 27, in the garden of Mr C. C. Cook, 29 Crosby street, Mornington, at 2.30 p.m. The subject will be apples and pears.. These trees are yc-ung and will make an excellent subject. All who are interested in fruit cultivation are invited to attend. F.S.P.