PROGRAMME OF WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19388, 24 July 1926, Page 4 (Supplement)

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE fcLOWEK CiARDEK. Proceed with the pruning ol roses. Burn the prunings and in the case of old bushes spray with a combined insecticide and fungicide to thoroughly cleanse them irom scale and fungoid gems. After the pruning remove all suckers that may have started from the base of the plants; dig over the beds and apply a dressing ol from 21b. to 31b. of sulphate of ammonia and 81b. of superphosphate per 40 square yards. Prune hedges that are composed of cupressus, lawsoniana, macrocarpa, thugas,? junipers and other conifers, jilso albelia floribunda. Tamarix gallica, the flowering Cyprus, should be headed well back, Guelderoses should be thinned out and cut back where necessary. All deciduous shrubs require more or less pruning. Spray both deciduous trees and shrubs and many of the evergreens to kill scale and other insects, and also mosses, lichens and other parasitic growths, and thoroughly cleanse the plants. The caustic soda alkali solution is the best ol all winter sprays for thoroughly cleansing the trees of insects and parasitic growths. It is easily mixed and costs but little. Care must be used in applying not to allow any of the spray to come in contact with the face, hands or clothes. Continue the planting of ornamental and shelter trees, and also ' deciduous and evergreen shrubs, azaleas, roses, and other permanent subjects including hedge plants. Stocks, beauty and ten weeks, cinerarias, nemesias, % antirrhinums, polyanthus, primroses, Iceland poppies, godetias and lobelias, may be successfully planted.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. When preparing a new vegetable garden don't be too ambitious. Work the portion intended lor sowing and planting thoroughly, so as to make a success of it. Success at the start is sure to lead to further effort. The soil should be well and deeply cultivated, as also manured, while the seed or segdling to be sown or planted should be the best obtainable. If reasonable care is given to successional sowing and planting the garden can be kept furnished with many useful crops throughout the year. Keeping a loose surface by frequent hoeing or digging is an important factor in the cultivation of vegetables or other plants. Make a sowing of tomatoes and cucumbers under glass so as to obtain strong, sturdy plants for early planting. Endeavour to obtain seed saved from plants free from disease. Cucumber required for early planting is better to be raised in pots, so that when ready for planting they can be transferred to the ground without check. They are more easily raised if the pots are plunged in slight bottom heat, but, failing this, place in the hottest part of the greenhouse and cover the pots with glass until the plants show above the soil. Make further sowings of cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce. If sown in shallow boxes and placed in greenhouse or warm frame, the seeds quickly germinate, but require protection from slugs. Peas above ground need protection from slugs and birds; frequent dusting with lime will keep slugs under, while black cotton will effectually protect the plants from birds.