WORK IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 25400, 3 February 1945, Page 12

WORK IN THE GARDEN

THE FRUIT GARDEN. The fruit trees at this stage will require attention. 1 find that there are good crops oil' apples and pears in many gardens, and the trees in general are looking well. This has been brought about chiefly by the climatic conditions. First of all, if the thinning has not been carried out, this, work should be done as soon as possible, especially if good fruit is required. The bunches should, be thinned out to two, or, better still, if only one is allowed to remain, the centre fruit only should be allowed to remain. The next important work to be done is to thin out any wood that is not wanted, such as weak and spindly growths. Or, again, any wood that has a tendency to shade the fruit-bearing wood or spurs. This growth, which is not required, can be taken out easily at the present 6tage, as it is very soft. The removing of this wood at the present juncture will save a lot of labour when pruning time arrives. After this work has been carried out liquid manure should be applied ifrom now on at least twice a week, commencing with a weak solution, which should be increased in strength as the fruit develops. It is also essential to .place a mulch of wellprepared animal manure, or compost which has been broken down _ thoroughly, around each tree. This will si'eatly assist the fruit to swell, as many trees, especially the apples, are carrying very large crops, and if feeding Is not carried out the vitality of the trees is bound to suffer and the flavour will be inferior compared with trees which have been well fed and thinned well. THE STRAWBERRY BED. Owing to the moist conditions the strawberry plants are making good runners, and where it is intended to plant new beds attention should be given to the strongest runners. Only one plant should be allowed to develop on each runner, except where it is- required to work up a 6tock of a new variety. Then two or even three plants may be allowed to root' up on each runner. When the young plant is well rooted it should be taken off the parent plant at once, and after being lifted up" caretfully should be planted out into the bed which has been prepared. It is useless to plant strawberries into soil which is poor in humus, as strawberries are gross feeders, and must have plenty of good, rich plant food, worked in before planting, such as well-rotted animal manure or wellprepared compost which contains plenty of lime. After planting, it is most important that the soil be made very firm around each plant, or they will run into a lot of foliage. The firmness of the soil will build up a strong fruiting crown, which, if planted out early, will give a crop next reason. The young plants will have a tendency to throw runners after being planted. These must be cut off at once, and not allowed to develop, or they will weaken the crown. To cultivate strawberries well plenty of lime and potash must be available in the soil, and to ensure a crop for next season, the earlier 1 the plants are planted out before the hard weather arrives the better the crop. THE WHITE BUTTERFLY. As predicted in these notes in the earlv spring months, the butterfly has not "troubled as much as in previous seasons. Though no doubt .the introduction of. a parasite has destroyed small numbers. Nature has done her own work more efficiently than man by providing; excessive moisture aif the hatching season, the eggs of the first family being destroyed. A correspondent writes from Palmerston North that the same thing has been noticed in that district. There is no doubt Nature does her own work without the aid of man. who often makes more troubles to follow later. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Owing to the unfavourable weather experienced in the early summer months, several of our root crops, such as carrots and beetroot, have been a failure by running ia seed. There is still time to make sowings, as no doubt we shall have a more favourable autumn The following could be sown at once:—Carrots, Early Krop (coreless carrot), and Early Horn- beetroot, turnip rooted; turnips ■ Golden Jelly and garden swedes' The carrots and beet, can remain in the ground and then be pulled as required. When allowed to remain in the soil this way the vitamins and flavour are not lost in any way. Perpetual spinach and Winter Prickly spinach should also be sown. All early potatoes should be lifted at once, as the disease has already made its appearance. When lifting, the tubers should be examined and in any signs of disease such tubers should be destroyed either by burning or by putting into the dustbin to be taken away. On no account should such tubers be placed on the compost heap or even allowed to remain on the. surface of the ground.

THE BULBS. Where bulbs were lifted last mouth it is essential that these be looked over carefully. Where there are signs ol any disease the bulbs should be removed and burnt at once. To detect the dreaded disease known as eelworm, examine the heel of your bulbs, and if they are affected you will find a browncoloured substance like snuff. Often this trouble occurs after the bulbs have been lifted for some i ; me, and it is wise to look over your bulbs from time to time after they have been stored. Such affected bulbs' should be destroyed by burning at once. DEMONSTRATION ON FLORAL WORK. The women's section of the D.H.S. education classes have arranged to hold a demonstration on floral and decorative work on February 6, at 2.30 p.m. in the supper room of the Early Settlers' Hall. The demonstrator will be Mrs Milne Shand. of Christchurch. All those who are interested are invited to atV?nd. This is a subject that should appeal to all lovers of Nature. As the women of Dunedin are noted for their artistic floral displays, it will certainly be an interesting subject, and a full attendance is expected. F.S.P.