BOYS AND GIRLS' CLUBS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19623, 5 May 1938, Page 17

BOYS AND GIRLS' CLUBS

START OF WEEKLY NOTES PREPARING GARDENS SOWING FOR SPRING (By "Totara") To-day marks the first issue of notes in this column, which is being conducted by the Herald for the members of the Boys and girls' clubs in the Wairoa, Poverty Bay and East Coast schools. The "Herald will publish advice for club members on the various home projects such as sweet pea growing, home plots, and calfrearing.

This column is to be your very own —one in which you can talk about your clubs and your work. You may use it to write for "advice about any of the problems with which you meet, so do not hesitate to write about any of your difficulties. Address your letters to "Totara," c.'o Herald Office, Gisborne, and the answers will appear in this column the following week. Home Gardens To-day the space is devoted mainly to hints on the work of preparing the ground for home gardens. One important point is to see that your plot is fenced or protected in some way from stock and hens. Many home plots have been spoiled because of lack of attention to this point. In many cases the ground to be used is already vacant. As soon as last year's crop has been lifted, you should begin preparation for next season's work. Do not let the weeds get away, and be very careful with weeds like fat hen and Prince of Wales feathers. Both of these are common, and both have many thousands of seeds. Pull the plants out and put them in a heap to be burned.

Green Manure Crops In ground which is not to be used until the spring, try and sow a green crop for digging in later for humus. The crop also will keep down weeds in the meantime. Lupins, oats, or mustard are all suitable. Dig these in from four to six weeks before you plant in the spring.

Compost Heap You should try and build up a compost heap for your garden. This may consist of rubbish, leaves, hedge clippings, etc. When it is about Ift. high, cover it with a layer of earth, then build up with more vegetable matter, add more soil, and so on. A little lime also may be added. Keep out any twitch grasses or ripe fat-hen plants.

Farmyard Manures In country districts it should be easy to obtain supplies of farmyard manure to dig into your plot. This will be especially useful if the soil is light or sandy. Position of Plot If you can, have a plot facing the north and sheltered from the cold southerly wind. Sweet Pea Clubs Mr. C. G. Calvert, agricultural instructor for schools, has asked us to tell members that seeds will be issued in May ready for June planting. Further notes on this work will be printed shortly. Results from 1937 The following results have not yet appeared for zinnia growing projects held last year and judged in March. Puna .School.—Phyllis Peach, 1; Rachel Newton, 2; Barbara Dymock and Joan Newton, equal, 3. Waipaoa School.—-May Bignell, 1; Betty Symon, 2; Fay Croon and Euan Stone, 3. Further Notes On this page each Thursday further notes will appear. Cut them out for use.