GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 January 1925, Page 6

GARDENING NOTES.

By “Waratah.”

FLOWER GARDEN. ' Violet plants are liable to be attacked during tlie summer months by the mites commonly Known as “red spiders.” These mites are almost invisible to the naked eye, are of a rusty red colour, anti although not true spiders, they spin very line webs on the under-suni'aco of the leaves. They increase with great rapidity—a dry hot atmosphere and droughty conditions being particularly favourable to their propagation. These mites suck out the sap and cause the leaves to wither and fall. The first indication, of their .presence is the yellowing of the leaves; as soon a„s this is observed, the plants should be thoroughly dusted with flowers of sulphur or sprayed with lime-sulphur solution, I—loo parts of water. The best way to ward off attacks by the insects is to make conditions unfavourable to them by keeping the soil regularly moist and syringing the plants with water in the evenings of hot. dry days. Chrysanthemums should be growing fast now and will need tying up to tlieir stakes as they advance in growth.. Caterpillars arc-likely to become troublesome, and the plants should be examined carefully and regularly for them, or the plants n:ay be sprayed with arsenate of lead (two teasponfuLs to a gallon of water) if the unsightliness of the spray deposit is not .an objection. If ‘‘rust’' makes an appearance on the leaves, spray with lime-sulphur eolation, I—loo parts of water; this solution should also be used for “red spiders’’ if they attack the foliage. Dahlias will need copious supplies of water in dry weather, and will derive great benefit by being syringed overhead with water in the evenings of hot, dry days. This will encourage a vigorous growth and prevent attacks of aphides. Layer carnations as soon as the plants cease to flower. VEGETABLE G A.R DEN.

{ Celery may still be planted. Dig a trench Ift wide and 9in deep, 'and dig in plenty of wellldeeayed manure or vegtable refuse at the bottom of the trench. Place the plants Din apart and water thoroughly. If double rows are preferred make the trench IS inches aide. Plants already established in trenches must have copious supplies of water. Nothing is more injurious to celery than drought. An occasional dose of liquid manure will greatly benefit the plants, but nitrogen, in the form of nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia, should not be given because although it encourages rapid growth, its tendency is to malic tlie stems hollow and so It. Celery fungus has been very troublesome in the past few seasons. Its presence is first indicated by the appearance of brown spots on the leaves, and * the affected leaves wilt, turn brown and curl up at the edges. The disease spreads from the leaves, to the steins and the whole plant eventually decays. Bordeaux mixture made with Ub of Bordeaux powder to 10 gallons of water sprayed on the plants, is the best known remedy, but to be effectual it must be sprayed on the plants at intervals of three weeks during the growing season. As the disease is easier to prevent than to cure it is a wise precaution to spray the plants before the disease makes its appearance. Leeks may still he planted in the manner advised in previous notes. Young plants of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, etc., should have some earth drawn up round the stems as they advance in' growth. Examine the plants frequently for cabbage aphides and caterpillars, and as soou_ as seen spray with kerosene emulsion, or tlie plants will he irreparably damaged. Asparagus beds should he given a good soaking of water in dry weather and an occasional dose of liquid manure. The quantity and quality of the crop next spring will depend upon the treatment the bed receives during the summer months.

Spray tomato plants with Bordeaux mixture (lib Bordeaux powder to 10 gallons of water) at intervals of three weeks; add two teaspoonfuls of arsenate of lead per gallon if caterpillars are troublesome. Fruit sprayed .with this mixture should he carefully washed before sent to tlie table. Cucumbers, melons, marrows and pumpkins should he now growing vigorously, and will benefit if the ends of long shoots are pinched off to keep the plants within bounds and assist the setting and development of the fruit. The plants need plenty of water in dry weather and an occasional dose of liquid manure after the first few fruits have set. All these plants derive much benefit if given a syringing with water in the evenings of hot dry days. This treatment will lessen the liability of | tlie plants to attack hv aphides, " red Spider and thrips, all of which thrive in a hot, dry atmosphere and under | conditions of drought.' Sow now peas, French and butter beans, carrots, turnips, lettuce, endive, mustard, cress, radishes and parsley. The peas and beans should he sown in trenches six. inches deep and covered with three inches of soil, leaving a trench three inches deep, which will facilitate watering when necessary. Soak all drills thoroughly with water before sowing any seeds in drv weather.