THE BUSY MAN'S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 532, 8 December 1928, Page 30

THE BUSY MAN'S CORNER

AMONG THE FLOWERS USE THE HOSE. —Now that the warmer days are here don't forget to water frequently. A good soaking once or twice a week is far better than daily sprinklings, which only succeed in watering the surface and so encourage the roots to shoot to the top. The deeper the roots travel, the more a plant will stand the dry weather. Before watering lawns, sprinkle sulphate of ammonia on the ground, a half-ounce a square yard, and then watch the strong new growth appear. DAHLIAS AND “MUMS.” —Dahlias may now* be planted at once for autumn flowering. Chrysanthemums will be coming along fast and should be secured to the stakes as they grow. Always stake taller plants when they are being set, and thus save disturbing the roots by forcing the stake alongside. Any signs of rust may be prevented by using sulphide of potassium. CULTIVATION. —As we are surely in for a warm summer and autumn, every effort, especially on dry soils, should be made to retain the natural moisture in the ground. This is best done by mulching the flower beds with rotted manure or grass and leaves. Systematic working of the surface soil with a dutch hoe will sucpeed in forming what is termed a dust mulch, which will check evaporation and keep the roots clean and cool. QUEEN OF FLOWERS. —Rose bushes have done excellent work this season, and many fine blooms have been seen in our local gardens. When the first crop of flowers is finished, cut back the dead buds, and when picking blooms cut well into the plant. A light summer pruning sometimes does good, and the results are always apparent in the second crop of bloom. An occasional watering with liquid manure at this period promotes long length of flowering. PLANTS TO SET. —Bed out patches of zinnias, celosia and cosmos for back borders or centre of beds. Asters, phlox, petunias and pyrethrum are splendid for massing or edging. A splendid subject for dry places is marigolds. The tall African makes a bold show* w r ith its large double flowers. The French or dwarf variety is excellent for using in conjunction with the former species. Those cool-looking summer cypress may be planted out now. The round, green, fluffy balls ahvays look well. SEEDS TO SOW.—Have you set those summer flowering sweet peas yet? If not ,get bu,sy and sow' some now before the weather gets too dry. Deeply trenched and manured ground will yA\: the best results from now on. Sow in clumps along borders Virginia stock, linaria, d war. nasturtium and calendula. for rockeries, set portulacca. AMONG THE VEGETABLES KEEP THE WEEDS DOWN.—Unless you have abundant water supply, the hose will have to be in frequent evidence during the coming months. With an ample supply of water and warm weather will come hosts of dry weather weeds that always succeed where other things fail. The only method is to keep the hoe busy between waterings, and thus kill two birds with the one stone, Tor you will cut out germinating weeds and help to keep the soil cool and moisture containing. PEAS AND BEANS . —Continue to sow succession crops of these popular vegetables. Stratagem or Daisy peas seem to be the best for dry weather planting. Crops that are now maturing should be kept well watered, and the pods picked as soon as they are ready, otherwise the vines will stop bearing, French beans are now unprocurable owing to the shortage of last summer’s erbp, and so gardeners Will have to resort to the golden butter bean or the purple podded variety. Both are good and require the same cultivation as the French beans. SALAD CROPS.—Mustard, cress and radish seed should be planted at once in rows for quick use. Keep well watered and crops will be ready in no time. Lettuce is another important crop that is always required for summer salads. Plants may be set at once, but it is not too late yet for seed sowing. Backward plants may be pushed ahead with sulphate of ammonia, one tablespoon to a gallon of water. LOOKING AHEAD.—The most successful gardener is the man who looks ahead and prepares for the scarce months. Those wise men will now be planting broccoli, savoy or winter cabbage red cabbage, curley greens and Brussel sprouts. These varieties thrive m almost any soil so long as it is well worked and manured, plants Crops to set are celery ’ leeks, kumeras, tomatoes and egg 1-,- BLIGHT - —Potato crops that are showing signs of blight should be sprayed immediately with Bordeaux powder, three tablespoonfuls to a kerosene tin of water. A weaker solution may be used on tomatoes as a preventive against brown rot. Caterpillars and all leaf-eating insects may be kept in check by using arsenate of lead, one tablespoonful to a gallon of water Backward plants may be pushed on with nitrate of soda, one ounce to a gallon of water. of thre^ D or T f^ifv C ? V \>ri The followin 1 f seeds may be sown in clumps citrons four. Melons, cucumbers, pumpkins, marrows and Sweet corn may be drilled along in rows or sown round pumpkm heaps to afford them summer shade. rhe tall Russian sunflowers may be set for feeding fowk and making a show in some drab corner. Sow the following rQot crops in drills:* Carrots beet radish turnips and swedes. ’ oeet, raaish,