PROGRAMME OF WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20898, 13 June 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDES. Heavy frosts have played sad havoc with the floral display and numerous varieties of tender plants, notably alternantheras, iresines, fibrous rooted begonias, heliotropes and others. Cinerarias in the open must be protected from heavy frosts. Special plant covers may be obtained. Nemesias also need protection. Dahlias that are cut back should bo carefully dug up without detaching the tubers Jrom the crowns. Remove all soil from among the tuben by syringing or working it out. After cleansing all loose soil from among the tubers, properly dry the stools preparatory to storing in a cellar or other suitable place. Attach the names to each. Kow is a suitable time to select the varieties of bouvardias. When they are in flower transplant them into the mixed border. Protect them from severe frosts. From now until the end of July is the best time to transplant the diflerent varieties of roses in the beds and other places already prepared. Partially prune each plant before planting it. Dofer the final pruning until the middle of July. Shorten back any straggling roots. Cyclamens, although fairly hardy, must be protected from heavy frosts. A light covoring will save the leaves from injury. Discontinue the sowing of all flower seeds in the open ground and the planting of any tender seedlings. Conditions are favourable for the planting of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, hedge, and other permanent subjects. Stir the surface soil among the different varieties when sufficiently dry to treat.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Plant out a few rows of autumn sown onions in wellmanured and prepared ground. Take advantage of fine weather to earth up cabbage, cauliflower and other crops needing this treatment. If, before earthing, a light sprinkling of nitrate of soda is applied to the plants growth will be greatly accelerated. Make plantings of New Zealand spinach, silver beet, cabbage, cauliflower, and well-hardened lettuce. Sow broad beans and early peas. Any rhubarb roots of the seedless varieties that require renewing should be lifted and placed in a sheltered position ready for dividing and transplanting. Complete the planting out of strawberries, giving a good sprinkling of manure along the rows when planting. To obtain healthy growth of crops at this season, every advantage should be taken of flne weather to well stir and work the soil between the rows. Proceed with the planting of fruit and other trees upon every favourable opportunity, flne weather being always chosen for the work. At the time or soon after planting the branches should be pruned. Cutting them back within eight or nine inches of their base. Tree draining is essential for fruit trees. Few trees can succeed where stagnant water is allowed to accumulate at the roots. In planting, place the trees the same depth in the soil as they have previously been grown. Weed and thin any crops needing this attention.