THE HOME GARDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22356, 29 February 1936, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN

PROGRAMME OE WORK **

' THE FLOWER GARDEN Continue the planting of bulbs. Narcissus, tulips, anemones and ranunculus may all be planted now. Plant out Iceland poppies for the earliest flower, and sow more for later supplies. Place a mulch of manure or spent hops around the chrysanthemums. Attend to the staking and tying of dahlias and other tall plants in the borders. Leaf-rolling caterpillars are active. Hand-picking will destroy many, but spray with arsenate as a precaution. Proceed with the preparation of ground to be sown down as a lawn. THE GREENHOUSE Seedlings coming up under glass should be given a cool, shady place to prevent damping. During close, wet weather see that ample ventilation is given to the house; less damping down will be required. Pick off any begonia or gloxinia leaves showing signs of decay. Pot up liliums and other bulbs for early flower. Plunge in sand or fibre till well rooted. Keep the cinerarias and primulas in the frames well shaded, but do not neglect the ventilation.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN The frequent rains have been favourable for the germination of the crop# town for winter use. Keep the toil hoed between the drills as soon as the seedlings are visible. Keep tho tomatoes sprayed as a precaution against the caterpillars. Pick the fruits as soon as they are partly coloured. This will prevent cracking by wet weather. Sow early varieties of cabbage and cauliflower for spring cutting. Lettuce should be sown for winter use. Sow endive also. It makes a welcome change from lettuce. Strawberry beds should be trenched over before planting with other crops. A few potatoes may be planted in favoured positions for a second crop. THE ORCHARD Branches of stone fruits showing signs of silver blight should be cut out while they are easily seen. Summer pruning will be finished by now. The «arly varieties of apples and pears should be gathered as they are required for use, as they will not keep long. Prune raspberries and black currants when fruit is removed. Leave five or six canes to the raspberries and cut out the older wood of black currants. Repair any storm damage and dress the wounds made by twisted and broken branches.