PROGRAMME OF WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19892, 10 March 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. tjoniou* rains have thoroughly soaked the son and enabled planting and sowing to be again undertaken. true soil being warm and mellow, is in the best possible condition for planting seedlings that have been kept in plant trays awaiting the first favourable opportunity for planting. feroceed with the planting ol daffodils and other varieties of narcissi; also anemones, ranunculi, alliums, freesias, bulbous irises and snowflakes for early flowering. Sxias babianas, sparaxis, tritonias, can be planted in clumps. Plant first batch of tulips in beds or groups, also lachenalias and hyacinths. IPhe present is a suitable time to plant Argentine peas and . passion fruit plants, so that they can become established before the winter sets in. fcahlias must be kept tied up to save the side branches from being broken. Disbud and thin out some of the shoots that crowd the centres, and examine blooms for caterpillars. Chrysanthemums: Benefited by copious rains the buds are plumping up. Those that are backward should receive weak manurial waterings every week. ftyf* of candytufts, mignonettes, nemophila, convolvolus larkspur,. double calendulas,, sweet scabious, collinsea and wallflowors may be sown in the open ground. Bed out first batch of cyclamens. Make a sowing in seed pans. Seeds of cyclamens sown now make sturdy little plants for growing on to flower In about thirteen months' time.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. The sowing and planting of crops required for autumn and winter use should no longer be delayed. Seeds sown at this time, when there is plenty of warmth and moisture in the soil, germinate very quickly, and it the ground has been treated as previously advised, they should make rapid growth. In preparing the plots for sowing better results may be obtained, if the land is of a stiff nature, by forming raised beds, as this not only provides free drainage, but gives greater warmth to the soil. This is decidedly the best method for raising cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce and similar crops,, Root crops, such as potatoes and kumera, will need careful watching, as the heavy rains following such a dry spell are almost certain to result in the tubers starting into secondary growth. Onions and shallots, too, should be harvested as soon as they are thoroughly ripened. Oabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, or other of the brassica family that have survived the dry weather and the ravages of the fly, may yet produce good heads if assisted by occasional applications of nitrate of soda. Tomatoes are still ripening freely. To protect the fruits from caterpillars spraying is still necessary. Soarlet runner beans are starting to make fresh growth, and may yet produce a good autmn crop.