Page 6 Advertisements Column 4

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1944, Page 6

FLOWERS Gardeners are very tired of having beautiful flowers ruined by too much rain; but what a season it lias been for cuttings, shoot tips, and pieces with a heel. These are rooting quickly and making good plants ready for a spring and summer show of bloom. Eai'ly planted seedlings of Iceland poppies, calendula, stocks etc. have made good growth, and may be put out anytime now. Condy’s solution coloured deep pink will help to keep the plants healthy. Water this on and about the plants once or twice during the growing season. If the plants start dying off. water with j | cheshunt compound. Grass grubs and greasy cutworms may be troublesome. A spraying about the plants with arsenate of lead will poison these pests; or fork about the plants and catch the offender. To make a good fibrous loam, cut the top spit from a paddock. Stack it grass side down in layers with manure in be- • tween the layers. Kikuyu grass makes good compost provided it is kept to the centre of the heap Covered with garden refuse it soon rots. A good time for dividing and putting in cuttings of arctctis and gazanias.. Gerberas may be divided if they are to be planted in a light soil in a sunny, welldrained position. Delphiniums, carnations and gerbera seed sown now. and kept growing should make good plants for next spring and summer show of bloom. Polyanthus may be planted now. For best results dig in compost or well rotted manures; and plant in partial shade. Continue to plant out seedlings and sow seed of annuals for a spring show of bloom. Continue to plant bulbs; also anemones, ranunculi, etc. Small caterpillars are troublesome at this time of the year on carnations, salvias, gerberas, etc. Arsenate of lead spray should be used. % - A small weevil does much damage to the foliage of succulents and other plants. It is also killed with arsenate of lead spray.