GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 December 1928, Page 8

GARDENING NOTES.

(By “Waratah.”) ' BROiMiPTON STOCKS. The Brompton Stock is stronger in growth than the ten-week vaxiety. It throws up very large spikes of flowers and its flowering season is a long one. Seeds sown now will produce plants that will commence to flower in the spring. Choose a. sunny open site for the 'seed-bed. The soil need not bo deeply dug, nor should it be manured, the aim being to restrict the root-run during the early stages of growth, S’o as toproduee short-jointed sturdy plants. Sow thinly in lines, and when the plants can b e easily handled, transplant them nine inches apart. Keep the plants free from weeds and give plenty of water when the weather is hot and dry.

In the autumn, when the time comes for transplanting them to their flowering quarters, they should be healthy stocky little plants, that can be lifted with a good ball of s'oil about the roots. Plant about two feet apart in soil to which plenty of well-decayed manure or vegetable refuse has been added. Plant very firmly and dust a liberal quantity of lime on the surface soil. Choose showery weather for transplanting and should the weather bo dry afterwards water the plants well.

PLANTING WINTER. VEGETABLES.

The ground for broccoli and cabbaige should be well manured, but it should be made firm to encourage sturdy growth. Brussels sprouts, borecole (kale) and purple-sprouting broccoli should bo grown in soil free from fresh animal manure and made very firm. When planting choose showery weather if possible; should the weather be dry make the holes ready for the reception of the plants,fill each one with water and as soon as it has drained away put in the plants. Tlic rows should be two feet six inches apart and the plants two feet at least apart in the rows, two feet six inches is preferable, when space permits, for all varieties except cabbage, for which the rows should bo two feet apart for drumhead cabbages and Savoys, and eighteen inches for the pointed varieties such as Enfield Market, the space between the plants should be two feet for drumhead varieties and eighteen inches for the other varieties. In dry weather, water the plants if possible every day until _ they are established. After planting give a surface dressin|g of superphosphate at the rate of 4ozs per square yard and hoe or fork it lightly in. In hot weather the plants are liable to be attacked by both “green fly” and the caterpillars of the cabbagemoth. Kerosene emulsion is a reliable remedy for both these pests. IA. good formula is to dissolve one quart of soft, soap, or four ounces of hard soap in two quarts of water. Bring to the boiling point, remove from the fire and add one pint of kerosene, stir or churn with a. syringe for ten minutes, so as to make an emulsion. If not. thoroughly emulsified the free oil will seriously damage the plants when spraying is done. When properly mixed the emulsion on cooling should have the consistency and 1 appearance-of cream. For use dilute with four ,gallons of water. Another remedy is to mix two teaspoonsful of arsenate of lead and one tcaspoonful of “Black-leaf 40” to each gallon of water. The solutions should be used warm and the undersides of the leaves sprayed thoroughly as well as the tops.

'ONIONS RUNNING TO SEEtD,

AutUmn-sown onions have a tendency to run to seed. This is generally caused by a cheek of some kind after transplanting either from a dry spell or cold bleak winds. If the seed heads be piched off when quite small the bulb will continue to swell and become a reasonably size; these bulbs should be used as soon as large enough, as they will not keep well. ROUTINE WORK. Plant broccoli, Brussels sprouts, winter cabbages, celery and lettuces. ■Sow peas for succession. Sow in shallow trenehes to facilitate watering when necessary. iSow dwarf French beans for succession; use while young and tender. ’Sow long beet for winter use. 'Sow lettuce in shallow trenches in a shady position if possible. _ iSow sweet corn for succession. Thin out to eight inches apart. Sow mustard and cress. Sow cress fiv 0 days before mustard, _ when both are required at the same time. Sow radishes in rich soil made firn Sow in a shallow depression in a shady position. Thin out to two inches apart and keep well watered. Sow “Early Horn” or “Early Nantes” carrot.

:Sow turnips and swedes. •Sow New Zealand spinach. Plant all varieties of seedlings of flowering plants. % Sow seeds of hardy biennial and perennial flowering plants. Spray tomato and potato foliage with Bordeaux mixture (lib Bordeaux powder to 10 gallons of water). Spray every seven days in showery weather and every fourteen days during dry weather.

■Spray apple and pear trees with arsenate of lead. Use two teaspoonsful per gallon, -or 11b to each 25 gallons of water. This will destroy the caterpillars of the codlin moth and also the bronze beetle. 'Spray 'once a fortnight (using a 1 mist-like spray) until the end of February. Swift's Arsenate of Lead in paste form is the most reliable brand to use.