HOME GARDEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24869, 15 April 1944, Page 4

HOME GARDEN

WILTING CROPS CLUB ROOT INFECTION BY KEPO3 If the earthing up of the later celery has not yet been completed the work should be clone without further delay. Keep a sharp watch for club root disease among the brassica crops Any plants that are seen to be lilting should be pulled up and examined at once. If they are infected with club root burn them at once and soak the soi! from which they have been remove.] with a solution of mercuric chloride one ounce in ten gallons of water. This is a deadly poison and must be used with carp Examine the asparagus bed and cut out all the growths laden with berries Late-planted cabbage and broccoli will be improved by hoeing frequently and any blanks should be filled up from the reserve plants in the seedbed. Pro. ceed with digging and trenching vacant plots at every opportunity. ' Bidging Heavy Soli Very heavy soil, or ground that has been infested with soil pests, such as wireworms or leather jackets, should he ridged so that as large an area as po s . sible should be exposed to the weather Bear in mind that heavy land is best manured during the autumn or earn winter and the lighter ground in th® spring. Carrot fly has made inroads to tie crops. When lifting the roots examine for grubs or borings and place such on one side, storing only those that are free from grubs. Lightly fork over the rhubarb bed and give a mulching of decayed manure. A sprinkling of boneraeal is a good substitute where decayed manure ' is unobtainable In the orchard it is advisable to discard useless varieties of al! fruits and old trees that have ceased to be profitable and are only harbours for pegts and diseases. Such examples should be grubbed up and preparations made for filling the gaps. Where it is intended to remove trees or bushes from one part of the garden to another, get it done early Exposure to Weather In the meantime, get the sites ready and expose the soil to the weather for a few weeks. Early planting has many advantages. Look over the strawberry bed and cut off any late runners that have formed since the clean-up. Liise or basic slag is excellent for all bush and tree fruits; both may be applied now with advantage. In the flower garden there will be much cleaning up to do. Herbaceous plants that have ripened their sterna should be cut down and any dividing or replanting done. Label each group of plants and make a note of any alterations to be made during the coming winter. Dahlias should be lifted as soon as the tops are cut by frost. The early planting of bush and standard roses is advised. The preparation of the beds can be proceeded with and this job should be done well Trench the ground and add decayed manure. In some cases some good fresh loam will be needed. Good drainage is essential. Plant anemones and ranunculus. Succession al batches jyili prolong the display of bloom. * *'