WORK IN THE GARDEN

Southland Times, Issue 24056, 21 February 1940, Page 12

WORK IN THE GARDEN

By

BRENDAN P. MANSFIELD,

F. Inst. P.A.

ANSWERS TO QUERIES j “Amateur Gardener,” Gore.—l am interested and pleased to know you are growing endive and hope scores of other amateurs follow your lead. Transplant seedlings 12 inches apart each way after four leaves have formed. Blanching is effected by covering each plant with an inverted flower pot, the drainage hole of which has been plugged. It may interest you to know seed two or three years old yields the smallest plants. “Young Bean,” Gore.—Dropping of beans is caused by irregular cellular aetvity and may be brought on by excessively wet or dry conditions. In the latter case the remedy is obvious. THE COOL GLASSHOUSE Every attention should now be given to those plants required for display in winter and the preparation, for planting in bowls, of bulbs. Ornamental bowls are not necessary for bulbs; syrup tins, treacle tins, containers made from tree ferns, or small wooden boxes serve quite well. Watering of tuberous begonias should now be gradually tapered off, later, when the plants have passed flowering, the soil may be completely dried. Early batches of cinerarias may now be placed in small pots; the secret of good cultivation is cool and airy conditions. Large-flowered Japanese, decorative and single chrysanthemums required fox’ wintex- flowering will need careful attention in staking and tying to prevent loss of brittle shoots should high winds occur. Disbudding and feeding should also be attended to. THE FLOWER GARDEN Conditions are now much more favourable for the development of plants required for springflowering—wallflowers, polyanthus, myositis, bellis, East Lothian stocks, Iceland poppies, etc. Hoe between the rows of young plants as soon as soil conditions are suitable and repeat the process at intervals of not more than ten days; indeed, where convenient, and practicable, hoeing twice weekly is not too frequent. Where tying of late autumn flowering perennials—Michaelmas daisies, perennial phlox, rudbeckias, helianthus, heleniums, hardy chrysanthemums, solidago, etc., had previously been attended to it may now be found such ties are strained and re-staking and tying necessary. For mildew spray with liver of sulphur or lime sulphur. If using liver of sulphur (potassium sulphide) use a quarter of an ounce dissolved and thoroughly mixed with each gallon of water. If using lime sulphux' use 35 parts water to each part lime sulphur—that is one gallon lime sulphur to 35 gallons water, ox- proportions thereof. In applying liquid sprays the greatest care must be exercised in preparation to ensure that the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Apply on a mild, still day and ensure always that both under and upper surfaces are thoroughly wetted. Early autumn is the time to consider building up of manure and compost heaps. All green, but never woody, parts of plants, old garbage; bones, peelings, papers, rags, household slops, should be blended or incorporated with long grass or lawn mowings, strawy litter and any manure, in the form of dung, which can be procured. Be cautious at all times to avoid any material which is diseased; this should always be burnt. Evergreen shrubs now grown too large for their present situations should be judiciously trimmed, weight being relieved in consequence. Digging over of ground in preparation for autumn sowing of lawns should now be proceeded with and, remember, the preparation of ground fox - a lawn is possibly one of the most important tasks you will have to perform for it is expected to stand up to hard wear, and to last fox- many years. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN There is a lot of necessary work waiting to be done in the vegetable garden, but removal of spent crops, yellowed leaves, weeds and, above all, hoeing, should take precedence over all other work. Should potatoes be dug in ground which has been under water? This is a question that has occupied the minds ol gardeners. We recommend the tubers be left in the ground to complete their ripening naturally for, surface waternow having drained away, keen winds will soon cause the soil to dry up and aid in the ripening of tubers. If the rough outer skins of onions are removed it will permit the finished skin to ripen and develop that nut brown colour. Turnips of a hardy variety, such as White Stone, sown now, will yield ample supplies in winter. When ready they may be lifted and stored in dry sand until required fox- use. Firm ground, a dressing of dry wood ash and soot are essential.

Plant quahtities fo savoys and broccoli in ground clear of second early potatoes. Savoys planted late develop firm heads and withstand cold or wet conditions, while earlier planted batches split to pieces. Those who grow silverskin onions for bottling or pickling will find they are now ready. Small shallots can also be used for the same purpose. If not already prepared herbs should be cut and hung up to dry for use in winter. No small garden is complete without herbs and, where not already planted, provision should be made to put some in during winter. Even yet"it is not too late for planting leeks. At worst good material will be produced for soups or stews. They are gross feeders and love moisture, consequently, ground on which they thrive best requires to be richer than for the overage crop. Plants of endive, for use in winter, may still be lined out in their permanent quarters as ground becomes available. At this period spacing the plants ten inches apart in rows 15 inches apart should be sufficient. THE FRUIT GARDEN As sturdy well-ripened wood is essential to a heavy crop next season the early removal of fruiting canes of raspberries is recommended. The earlier new beds of strawberries are planted the better. Allow plenty of room between the plants and between the rows. New runners should be secured from plants grown in another district. Proceed with and complete summer pruning as soon as possible. The removal of over-grown spurs from‘fruit trees is best performed now, while the trees are in full leaf and vigour. In general appearance and, indeed, for convenience in storage and keeping quality fruit is improved when careful attention is paid to grading. Check over all trees and bushes to ensure that recent wet conditions have not reduced theii' anchorage, that they ax - e upright and the soil is firmly packed about the collar. FORESTS OF FINLAND Finland is first and foremost a forest country. About 75 pei - cent, of the land 1 surface is tree-clad. Every year she exports about £18,000,000 worth of wood in one form or another, which is about half the value of hex' total exports. Half of the 63,000,000 acres of woodland belong to private individuals. Of the remaining half the bulk is State-owned and the rest is the property of the church, municipalities and private companies. But although this is so, the State keeps a watchful eye on all woodlands and if it is considered that any woods are not being properly tended and are .not producing as much as they should, the owner is warned to take measures to remedy matters. If the warning is ignored the work is carried out for him and the costs charged to his account. The result is that the Finnish woods are the most productive in the world. No land is allowed to lie idle. The Finnish Government has always been most considerate and helpful to all who wished to plant trees ox - to improve existing woods. Advice is given ; to the planter free of charge as to how best to proceed, plans are drawn up for felling and planting, while trees, seeds and even tools are made available at no cost. Finland specializes in growing pines and spruces. Half the total number - of trees in the country are in fact pine and one-third spruce. These supply the “redwood” and “whitewood” of commerce. Although so much pine and j spruce might be expected to make the landscape monotonous, this is pre- ! vented by the fine. brich which occurs I all over Finland. Then there are the I lakes and rivers which blend in har- ! many with the forests. These same I waterways have made her forest industry fox’ along them the timber' can be transported cheaply, while the numerous falls are used to generate the power' to drive the great mills. Finland has 560 sawmills! A high standard of forest education is insisted on. Forest officers are trained in the University at Helsingfors (Helsinki) and throughout the country there are five schools fox- the training of foresters. There is one of the finest forest research institutes in the world, and all forest problems are dealt with in a vigorous manner. In all this the name of Cajander stands out supreme. Before he forsook the forests for politics ■ he had made contributions to forestry I knowledge unrivalled by any living I man. Wherever forestry is practised the I name of Cajander is respected and adj mired. At the present time, but for hostilities, the cutting of the forests would be in full swing. Felling the trees is carried out when the snow lies on the ground because then the fallen trees are more easily removed. The haulage is done by seventy thousand ponies, as these have been proved more economical over the short distances than tractors. They haul the logs to the rivers down which they are floated. Two hundred thousand men find employment in the forests of Finland during the winter.