TREATMENT OF THE SOIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19838, 7 January 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

TREATMENT OF THE SOIL.

IMPORTANCE OF CULTIVATION Most garden plants delight and thrive best in soils that are kept loose and well pulverised. The roots then have free scope to penetrate and spread, and during dry periods such as we are now experiencing, an amount of moisture is retained that would not otherwise exist. BENEFITS OF DRY WEATHER. Alter a protracted wet period, rendering the ground in a continual state of moisture and unworkable, a dry time is necessary to thoroughly sweeten the soil. After a drought it is surprising what an ameliorating effect a good soaking of rain has; the roughest lumps may then be broken down with ease, and the ground left in fit condition for planting. A topdressing of lime has a most beneficial effect in bringing stiff soils into a good friablo state for cultivation purposes. CHRYSANTHEMUM CULTURE. In growing for the production of the largest and finest show blooms, particular care and attention must be devoted to the plants from the time of planting until the fully-developed flowers are produced. All suckers from the base of the plants must be cut off just beneath the surface of the soil without "injuring the roots. Side shoot, too, other than the three, or sometimes four, that have been selected for the production of the show blossoms should ba removed. Pinching them off with the finger and thumb is the easiest process. Tho secret of success is to keep the Jeaves free from leaf diseases, notably the destructive rust fungus, and also from caterpillars, and remedial measures taken to check these pests. Caterpillars, notably the leaf roller species, are already in evidence. >'.« addition to daily going over the ph.nts and_ hand-poking, spraying with arsenate of lead paste, using a dessertspoonful to the gallon of water, and applying with a mist-like spray, thoroughly wetting the foliage, is necessary. By ad Jing bluestone, a combined insecticide an 3 fungicide may be had. .-lust is the worst trouble the grower has to contend with, and, immediately on its first appearance in rust-like dots on the undersides of the leaves, preventive measures should be taken, using a nozzle that will treat the undersides of the leaves..