PROGRAMME OF WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20851, 18 April 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. -.'SP:::. I * * ' The surface of the bods and borders should be hoed over to destroy the crop of seedling weeds that has recently come up and to act as a mulch. This also secures-, a clean surface in readiness for the rainy seasori'.

targe show chrysanthemum flowers must be protected, against rains and heavy dews, as the moisture lodger, in the petals and soon destroys the flowers. Seedlings from outdoor sowings must be carefully weeded and thinned to proper distances apart to allow each plant room to develop its side branches and maka sturdy growth.

tightly stir the surface soil among anemones, ranunculi, narcissi, and other early-planted bulbs to break the crust and destroy seedling weeds. Plant out/ Iceland poppies, calendulas, beauty and other stocks, linarias, primroses, cowslips, polyanthus, primula malacoides, and other hardy seedlings. Plant neinesias and cinerarias in warm, sheltered positions. The mixod border requires attention. Cut back to the ground the stems of any herbaceous perennials that have done flowering. Place a label or other mark to lilies and any othor bulbs that have died dowa to mark their whereabouts.

'Complete the-sowing of the winter varieties of sweet peas. A sowing of the summer flowerers should be made in specially-prepared ground. The seedlings must be protected against small birds. Cuttings of mesembryanthemum, crassulas, shrubby calceolarias and other bedding plants should be boxed off into shallow plant trays when properly rooted. Seedlings of cyclamens, cinerarias, primula sinensis and obconica, herbaceous calceolarias should be potted • into 3in. pots in light soil.

Properly level lawns preparatory for manuring, sowing the - seed, and rolling. Top-dress old lawns with a good, rich compost, and sow a little fresh seed.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Plant out cabbage, cauliflower and other colworts, and also lettuce, in well-manured ground. Older plants that have been attacked by the fly should be assisted by giving an occasional sprinkling of superphosphate or nitrate of soda, stirring it lightly into the soil.

In, sowing seeds at this season the soil requires to be placed in a friable condition, so that even, shallow drills can be drawn and the seed covered to an even depth with fine soil.

Crops that are" just coming through the soil require careful watching, as slugs play havoc with many of them. Frequent dustings with lime is not only a protection, but does good to the soil. To protect such seeds as cabbage and other colworts, turnips, lettuce and similar varieties, from small birds, stretch strands of black cotton over the rows or beds, keeping the cotton 3in. or 4in. above the soil. Earth-up leeks as they advance in growth, drawing the soil up to the plants until the height required for bleaching is attained. Celery also should have attention in this respect, though little is gained by earthing-up until the plants are well advanced in growth.

Most kumera crops will now be ready for lifting, and should be dug before they start into secondary growth. To facilitate the ripening of tomatoes gather the fruit as soon as half-coloured and place on a warm, dry shelf. Ground selected for the planting of early potatoes should be again thoroughly broken up and placed in readiness for the sets. From this time onward frequent hand-weeding, hoeing or light digging will be necessary to keep weeds under control. Frequent soil stirring has a magical effect upon plant growth, and cannot be too often performed.