WORK IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 25068, 8 January 1944, Page 3

WORK IN THE GARDEN

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. -Maeandrcw Bay.—The pods of thf peas submitted are good specimens of the variety which is named Bandquietor. It is one of the best of recent introduction, is a fine cropper, and has vigorous growth. TRIMMING OF HEDGES. It is advisable from now on to trim all hedges. The shears used for this work suould be sharp as the wood is bruised by using blunt shears. The face of the hedge will become unsightly, liy trimming hedges at this stage the various pests will be destroyed. The trimmings should be burned immediately. Wiicjb hedges have been recently planted a little care must be exercised, as souk; varieties only require the sides cut back, especially lonicera nitacla, which should have the top growth left until the required height is reached, then the leaders should be stopped. I'lscallonia should be treated in the same way. Where hedges are not making the growth that they should a feeding with liquid manure, such as cow or other animal manure, should be given twice a week. THE FLOWER GARDEN.

Many ■ varieties of winter flowering plants which were sown last mouth will now require attention, such as wallflower, cheiranthus (Siberian wallMower), calendulas, Iceland poppies, Canterbury bells, hollyhocks, violets, and pansiqs. AIL these either require lifting out into a nursery bed or picking out into boxes for transplanting at a later date. When pricking out wallflowers take out the tip of'the centre growth. This will cause the plants to make short, sturdy growth. Allow plenty of spaae between each plant so as to enable them to make good growth before transplanting them into their flowering quarters. . THE COMPOST HEAP.

Continue to form this important manure heap. Do not give household refuse to the dustman or put it down the sink.

Brewer's hops mako a suitable material for building up a compost heap, also dried blood and bone, as it contains nitrogen,- ammonia, ash, lime, magnesia, phosphates, and iron, all of which are valuable as plant food. When using hops it is essential that plenty of green material is mixed with it, such as lettuce leaves and roots, also all spinach and silver beet foliage and roots. When there, is plenty of this material available very little water will be required over the heap. Heaps which were made in the early spring should be ready to turn over now, and after two or three turnings the compost will be ready to apply to the ground when winter crops are to be grown. It should be lightly worked into the surface. The fork is the best tool for this. THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS.

Attention must be given at this stage to chrysanthemum plants, which are making rapid growth just now. All growth should be made secure or there is a danger of the soft young growth becoming damaged with the wind. Discontinue stopping all leaders unless very late flowers are required. In that case another stop can be made, but not later than the end of this month. Watch for mildew and rust. A sprayin? with Bordeaux powder or Pinepcstol liquid will keep the disease under. Once a week should be sufficient to keep the plants in a healthy condition. GREENHOUSE PLANTS. All-plants which have finished flowering, such as pelargoniums, etc., should be placed outside to allow the wood to ripen before taking off cuttings. Cyclamen which has been resting should, after shaking off all the soil from the corners, be repotted into good fibrous loam, in which a good sprinkling of well-rotted cow manure, oyster grit, and leaf mould has been mixed.. When potting see that the soil is made very firm around the corm. After repotting stand outside in a shady' position and allow them to remain until growth appears. When this is well away the plants can be placed on the benches of the glasshouse, but it is most important that the sun should not reach the foliage. These plants enjoy plenty of shade and moisture. CARNATIONS.

Cuttings of perpetual-flowering carnations should be taken off as soon as possible. Only the young wood should be taken, or else the old wood will only run into flower, the plants become unsightly, and the flowers small. Layering of border carnations can also be carried out, as the plants are now making good young wood for layering. _ Climatic conditions are also most suitable for this work. Select 'the strongest growth, and it must be free from disease. Care must be taken to see that the growth, after being cut at the joint, is made firm in the mound of compost which has been prepared for the plants. All woody pinks can be easily rooted from cuttings in the same manner as for perpetual carnations. F.S.P.