GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 11 January 1929, Page 7

GARDENING NOTES.

(By “Waratah.”)

TOMATOES. Tomato plants will need a good deal of attention, now they are growing rapidly, the laterals (side-shoots) which spring from, the junction of each .leaf and the stem, should bo pinched off as booin' as they can. be handled ancl the plaints kept tied -up .to their supports as they advance in growth, When two' or three trusses of fruit ‘.have set the plants should be given liquid Manure once a’ week, made from cow, horse, or fowl manure; this should not be too strong, shout the colour of weak tea I (without, -milk). If animal manures be nolt awailablc, dissolve two ounces of superphosphate 1 iamdl one ounce of sulphate of potash An four gallons of water and give each plant about one pint. , Liquid manures should never be applied when the .soil is dry, or much damage may he done to roots near the surface. It is safer to give the ground a: good 'soaking of clear waiter before applying the manure. When the* plants kayo attained a height of about, four and a, half feet, the growing tips should ibe pinched l off, it is not advisable to permit, the: plaints to grow any taller, because any fruits set above thalt height -would n:o,t, in« an average season, grow ffo> a> sufficient size to be off any use, and by pinching out the tops (the strength of the plant is diverted to the fruits.

The plants should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture, (one pound: Bordeaux powder to tern gallons of water) every •fourteen days' and .more often; in showery weather, to' prevent the plants bee ing attacked by fungoid diseases. Caterpillars are usually troubleso'me from now on, and often do considerable, damage to the fruits, they should either be picked off each day -or killed by adding two tablespoonsiful of arsenate of lead toi each gallon: of Bordeaux mixture. All fruits that have been- sprayed should be wasihed or wiped before they are •conked, or eaten. CELERY. Celery plants must bo given, ample supplies of waiter during dry weather or they will either go to seed or the steins- will be stringy and: tough. Liquid manure should be given occasionally after applying ' water, and salt may also be applied with advantage about twice during the season attire rate of one ounce l per yard as beside's’ keeping the soil in a- moist, condition it improves the flavour of the celery. Nitrogen in the form, off nitrate off soda! or sulphate of ammonia should not be given, for although it encourages great growth it makes the stems hollow and soft. Celery should not be fully earthed up until two months before it is required for use, as earthling up checks- growth. Earthing up by means of soil is usually completed in three operations, a.t intervals of one month the first in March, the second and .third ait intervals .of three or four weeks after the first. Earthing up should only be done. when, the: soil i's dry, atafl; soil .should not be allowed to 'get Anita the hearts of the plants- or they become: blind and decay. To prevent this the plants should' be tied up with raffia: or string before earthing up. Blanching may also: be done by means of stiff brown paper bands, it ha® the advantage of keeping the plants clean and free fromi soil pests, and it iseasily and l quickly performed. The band's should be put on when the growing centres of the plants are about nine inches high, first removing all Small shoots at the base off the .plants and any weeds. ROUTINE WORK. Spray apple, pear, plum trees with a, solution of arsenate, of lead to prevent attacks of c.oTcll.in moth, bronze beetle and pear slug. Use two teaspoomsful of arsenate per gallon off water or one pound to each twenty-five gallons off water. Swifts in paste form: is the most reliable brand to use. Spray once a fortnight until end off February. Spray tomato and potato l foliage with Bordeaux -solution (one pound: Bordeaux powder to ten gallons of water). Spray every seven days An showery weather and every fourteen days during dry weather. Bud roses.

Clip hedges. Li-fit a-nemone and ranunculus tubes', and bulbs of hyacinths and tulips and store in a dry, cool place.

Lift daffodils, free-sias a.ud other bulbs, where -they are -ov-ercrowid-ed-. .Syringe chrysanthemums' with, limeSulphur isolution one part to eighty parts of -water or -dust with equal parts Of fresh lime and sulphur to prevent a-ttaieks- of “rust. ”

P.iinich -baJek verbenas, petunias,• phlox, etc., to keep the plaints- dwarf and bushy. Row seeds oil’ hardy biem-niail amid perennial plants. .Plant cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, leeks, -and lettuces 1 .

.Sow French and: butter beatas -for since ession.

Sow “Early Horn or “Early Mantes” carrots.

Sow dwarf peas fox succession. Sow in a shallow trench -to faiei-litait-e watering when' mecessiary. •Sow mustard -and cress. Sow cress five days before -mustard when both are required for use ait the- same time. Sow turnips. ‘ ‘ Golden Ball ’ ’ is the best variety .to sow n-ow. Sow radishes- in: rich sod made firm, and keep well watered. Pinch -back long shoots of eaiciiimbc-rs, mcdo-ns, marrows, and -pumpkins to keep t he; -plaints within bounds, and assisit the setting a,ml development of the fruits. Spray cabbage, broccoli, etc., -aifocited with gre en-fly with a- solution of “Bleack-leuf 40’’ one teaspoonful per gallon, of soaipv waiter; if caterpillars be troublesoni-e add two te-a spoonsful of arsenate of lead .to- each gallon. Apply liquid manure- occasionally to all gro.wi-ng crops. Apply -clear water a- few hours before when the soil is dry.