PROGRAMME OF WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20620, 19 July 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. Continue pruning and cutting off any suckers from the base of roses. Burn all clippings. T)ig out worthIfss plants and replace with others. After the pruning spray or brush over any that aro affected with whito scale, using Gishurst's compound. The pruning and spraying completed, dig over the beds leaving the surface as rough as possible, to aerate' A liberal surface dressing of lime is also beneficial' applied when the soil is dry, and on a fine day. ' Soil and weather conditions havo been extremely favourable for the planting of trees, shrubs, roses, h°dgo and other permanent subjects. B Dahlias that have been taken up and stored should bo given a general overhaul. Shorten back the stems where necessary. Poinsettias in pots that havo finished flowering may be transplanted into suitable sunny and sheltered positions in the garden. July is the best month to clip hedges of cupressus, macrocarpa, thujas, junipers and other conifers. The rock garden requires an annual revision to regulate the growth of the plants. Disperse with those that are old and exhausted, and replaco with others. Booted cuttings of mesembryanthemuins, crassulas, shrubby calceolarias and several other bedding plants should bo boxed off into plant trays, to establish for spring plants. Suitable seedlings for present planting include beauty and other stocks, calendulas, antirrhinums, lobelias larkspurs, mimulas, Iceland and other poppies, primula malacoides, primroses and polyanthus, pansies and violas.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Vacant land should not bo allowed to remain covered with weeds during the winter months. It is far better to dig it deeply and sow down in lupins or other green crop for digging under. Apart from keeping the soil free from weeds, this will immensely improve the soil. Lightly turning over the soil between growing crops Is the easiest means of keeping weeds under control. Autumn-sown onions are in many cases sufficiently advanced for transplanting. The beds should be kept free from weeds. As soon as the weather permits transplanting should be proceeded with. At this season all seed beds need constant weeding and cleaning. Weeds must bo kept under both by hoeing and hand-weeding. To maintain a succession of peas, a sowing should be made about every third or fourth week, or, at this season, as soon as the previous sowing is about an inch above ground. For raising young plants of cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, onions and other crops required for transplanting, slightly-raised beds are still an advantage. The same applies to such crops as carrots, turnips, turniprooted beef, spinach, and similar crops. Give established asparagus beds a dressing o! nitrate of soda, evenly distributed over the whole bed, applying about an ounce to every square yard. Make a sowing of tomatoes and cucumbers under glass to obtain strong, hardy plants for early planting. Endeavour to complete the pruning of all orchard treep before the end of tho present month.