GENERAL WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20490, 15 February 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

GENERAL WORK.

WEEDING AND MULCHING* General work in tho flower garden and grounds at "this season should consist chiefly in keeping beds and borders free from weeds and giving tho surface the weekly mulch which imparts a good appearance and benefits the plants. Chrysanthemums need special attention to tying up tho selected shoots, pinching off superfluous side shoots and buds, and most • important of all taking tho buds for show blooms as thoy appear, and spraying to control rust. Dahlias also require attention to tying tho leading branches to their stakes, also cutting out side branches that crowd tho plants and pinching off the superfluous flower buds to produce larger and finer flowers. Also keep a look-out for caterpillars that penetrate and destroy tho buds. Spray with arsenate of lead paste or hand pick. Zinneas aro subject to caterpillars and should also bo sprayed. Some of tho hedges may bo clipped. In treating lecoma trim the sides only, leaving the tops to grow and later to flower. Do not clip hedges of abelia until after thoy havo done flowering in mid-winter. Watering must be done during dry weather to preserve the floral display and keep tho plants in good growth.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Novice," Frankton.— Spiraea filipendula (dropwort) is tho namo of the dwarfgrowing, tuberous, herbaceous perennial. The flowers are white. It is a nativo of Europe (Britain).

Onehunga.—Tho variety o! garden peas, podding freely but not filling properly, may have something to do with it. In preparing tho ground in tho autumn basic slag should bo well incorporated, using from 91b. to 12lb. per -10 square yards. If tho soil is poor. 3lb. of kainit may bo added, with a further top-dressing of superphosphate lightly sprinkled over tho plants when a fow inches high. Ail ouuco of phosphate of potash per gallon of water is (i valuable liciuid stimulant. good system of cultivation consists in using u good layer of stablo manure along the bottom of tho drills, with a, covering of soil, before sowing the peas, and afterwards watering tho roots occasionally with nitrogenous liquid manure.

_ J.C., Hamilton.—lt is not possible to distinguish the differences between tho sexes of tho actinidia or Chinese gooseberry _ before they como into flower, the habit and growth with tho usual _ variations in the individual plants being identical. " Gardener." Tuakau.—Autumn is tho best time for pruning seedless barberry hedges. The flowers of tho cucumber are monoecious, tho male and female being on tho same plant. Insects affect pollenation. Your plants luivo numerous flowers, but ret very few fruits. The female (lowers ore evidently absent. Pinching back the shoota is recommended.

P.S., Onehnnga.—The namo of weed Pent for identification is Amaranthus heterofloxuß, a bad annual weed that thrives on all classes of soil and not necessarily on worked-out lands. It seeds so abundantly that a few plants soon produco an abundant crop. Frequent hoeings when the seedlings are young keep it down.

" Pferis," Epsom.—The names of ferns sent for identification are:—2. Asplenium fnlcatum. 3. Polystichum luspidulum. 4. Nephrodinm filix mas syn. _ lastrea. 5. Asplenium bulbiferum _ trippanata. (i. Pteria Iremula, variety kingidna. 7. Asplenium japonicum. 8. Asplenium lucidmn. !). Todea barhara. 10. Doodia media. 11. Asplenium bulbiferurn. _ 12. Asplenias umbrosuin. 13. Polysticluum ~ membranu-. ceum. 14. Polypodium diversifolium: IS. Sclasinella species. 16. Lomnria discolor. 17. Nenlii'olepis cordifolia. 18. Poly-, stiehivim amabile. 19. Nephrolep'.s superbipsimum. 20. Pterls quadriaurita. 21. l'avallia culleta. 2. Polystichium angularo. 23. Polystichium, vulgare, variety cambricum. I cannot identify No. 1. " Creeper," New Lynn.—There are suitable varieties 'of climbers, evergreen and quickgrowing. for trellis on western side of woshhouso other than those yciu name. iney include the following:—Bignonias chirere and Australia, Physianthus albiflorus, lacsonin. mollissimu, Passiflora Constaiieo Elliott. Cobea scandena, Tacsonia Van Volxeniii. Autumn is tho best time to layer tho tip of Cory's thornless blackberry.

N.G.N,., Napier.—The namo of flowering shrub sent for identification is Solatium avicularo, tho bird eolanum. K. is a common native species, tho berries 01 which are edible.

F.J.Tj., Mauku.—The names of five shrubs and three weeds sent for identification aro: —l. Melicope simplex, a very differentlooking plant to M. ternata. 2. Coprosma arcolata. 3. Coprosma arbovea. 4. Olearia Cunninghnmii. 5. Geniostroma hff"etrifolinm. 6. Coprosma robusla. 7. unaplialium pupureum. 8. Identical with 7, a weed. 9. Epilobium junceum, another weed.

"Chrysos," Remuera.—The beginning of February is a most important time in the cultivation of tho chrysanthemum, especially for the amateur or first grower. he first, crown produces the finest flowers 1 his bud has no secondary buds around it Und is easily distinguished. The, second is usuully taken and is tho best for tho fullpetalled varieties. Tho buds may be taken any time after tho second week in this month. As they make their appearance, pinch off all tho side-buds and shoots with tho exception of one side-shoot, which may lie left to produce what is_ known as a terminal This precaution is often adopted in caso tho selected crown bud may bo destroyed by caterpillars or other causes. G. 8., Olahuhu.—Will reply next week. KEfOS.