THE HOME GARDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19133, 26 September 1925, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN

THE FLOWER GARDEN. , To prolong the flowering of anemones and ranunculi, picU oft the stems of spent flowers to prevent their seeding, and lightly stir the soil around them and apply a stimulant. Ranunculi are benefited by a mulch of broken-up cow dung. Cinerarias are now making good growth, and, being coarse feeders, are greatly benefited by a thick surface mulching with rotted manure, or with an occasional application of liquid manure. Examine the rose bushes, and on the first appearance of green fly or aphis spray with Gishurst's compound or other eflective Insecticide. Two sprayings are often necessary to kill successive broods. Lobelias are exceedingly showy edging plants; arrange the seedlings four inches apart, and plant now. Pyrethrum aurenm, or golden feather, is also a showy edging plant. Attend to the staking of recently-planted trees and shrubs, also several of the small plants such as stocks, antirrhinums, etc. The recent gales demonstrate the necessity of this operation. Where flowering plants are successfully grown, adequate protection from occasional wind storms is absolutely essential. For this purpose evergreen hedges should be pro v 'led. It is not too late to plant now. Sowing seec's under glass of petunias, scarlet salvias, asters, celosias, miniature sunflowers, verbenas, saiphiglossis, schizanthus, zinnias, phlox, etc., should be attended to, to provide successional plantings. Attend to the boxing of alternantheras, iresines, and dwarf variegated geraniums, also fibrous begonias that are required for ornamental bordering and bedding in November. Lawns and other portions of the ground In grass require the usual weekly attention to mowing to preserve a thick, close sward.

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE VEGETABLE GABDEIST. As soon as the weather permits, every portion of the {jround carrying crops should be deeply hoed or dug over. Young seedling crops will need timely attention to thinning and weeding. Weeds at this time grow rapidly, and soon check the growth of young seedling crops unless kept under control by hand weeding. The mulching oi asparagus beds, il cot already clone, should be completed without delay. Before applying the mulch give a good sprinkling of nitrate of soda, distributed evenly over the bed. The plants, being already started into growth, will derive the full benefit of the material applied. - Early-sown peas should be earthed ap and staked as soon as they attain a height of three or lour inches. Even , the dwarf varieties ajre better if supported and kept from the ground. Prom this time onward salads win be in increasing demand, so that every effort should be made by successional sowings and planting to provide a supply. Encourage the growth of cabbage, oaulifower, and other colworts, by keeping the soil well stirred and giving occasional light dressings of nitrate of soda. A sowing of leeks should now be made to produce plants for summer planting. Sown during the present month, they should produce plants ready for setting out during December and January. Vines under glass require verv careful management. At this time growth Is raHd, and the work of disbudding, stopping, and tying up the laterals will need almost daily attention. The first operation after the vines have started is disbudding—that is, remtf-tfne all weak and superfluous shoots that grow out from the base of the spurs, leaving in every case one or fruiting ®* ron ® es * anc * most promising shoots for