THE BUSY M AN'S CORNER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 637, 13 April 1929, Page 28

THE BUSY M AN'S CORNER

THOSE GARDEN PESTS.—Autumn, although it has its advantages in the garden, also brings numerous pests to confront our sacred, plots. Caterpillars are the worst among a host of other i creatures and where they are at work eating up our choice dahlias, etc., arsenate of lead should be applied at the rate of two teaspoonfuls per gallon. APHIS AND SLUGS.—Green Aphis and Black Spider attacking the bud and leaf growth of chrysanthemum and roses may be checked by spraying with black leaf 40, It teaspoonfuls per gallon of water. Slugs and snails parading up and down the seedling beds are a disheartening menace and the ground should be dusted with tobacco powder, or White Island sulphur. AUTUMN SOWINGS.—WhiIe yet there is heat in the ground, outdoor sowings of hardy subjects may still be made. Pansy and viola can be sown in sheltered, warm corners and the seed covered with tine sand. Virginian stock, dwarf nasturtium, mignonette and 1 inaria, can all be drilled along the borders. PLANTS READY TO SET.—The following seedlings are now available for autumn planting. In. sheltered and shady corners only, cinerarias may be set. For bedding out antirrhinums, nemesia, stocks, Iceland poppy and larkspur are good. Hardy perennials such as aquilegia, Canterbury bells, gaillardias, polyanthus, wallflowers may be set in the herbaceous borders. SPRING BULBS.—Hurry up and plant those bulbs for spring i flowering, otherwise you will be too late. Manure first witji bonedust before setting and plant only in well drained sunny positions. f The following are among the best available: —Lachenalias, anemones, babianas, ixias, hyacinths, tulips, ranunculus, narcissus, seillas. freesias. tritonias, sparaxis and muscarei. CULTIVATION. —Keep the soil continually stirred around the onuimental shrubs, etc. Work among the flowers every few days with the hoe to keep down the hosts of autumn weeds appearing. Trees or shrubs that have to be moved during the winter should be carefullv wrenched round now. WINTER FLOWERS.—For early blooms during the cold I months, cyclamen may be bedded out along the borders about 9in apart. Iceland poppies if planted in a sheltered spot may be coaxed into flower about the end of July. Begin to force along ! the early flowering sweet peas by liquid manuring. THE KITCHEN GARDEN THINK BEFORE YOU DIG. —This should be the gardener’s motto in preparing ground for late crops. All seeds or plants that are to be set now will require the maximum amount of sunlight and specially in regard to root crops, and so ground should be prepared accordingly. Dig deeply as this helps to make good drainage and break the surface soil into a fine tilth. I THINNING OUT.—AII earlier sown crops such as carrots, parsnips, turnips, etc., should be carefully thinned out to allow the sunlight to circulate freely among the plants. Overcrowding, especially at this time of year when the growth is. slower, is a bigmistake. If the soil is inclined to be dry, water a few hours before touching. SEED SOWlNG.—Continue sowing spinach, prickly variety, and silver beet for winter boiling. Set in their permanent beds. A main sowing of onions may now be attempted. Sow thinly, leaving plenty of space between the rows for hoeing. A pinch of cabbage and cauliflower seed may be set for transplanting later. ROOTS AND TUBERS.—Shallots, garlic*, potato onions and tree onions may be planted at once in ground containing plenty of potash. Asparagus foliage that has turned yellow may now be cut down and the ground lightly forked and sprinkled with agricultural salt. Cabbage and cauliflower plants may be set for spring cutting. Red cabbage is also a useful variety to grow for pickling. IDLE GROUND.—IdIe ground is a bad investment to the gardener as it only contrives to go back and produce bounteous ! weeds. If vacant ground is available, why not grow your own manure. Sow either lupins, mustard, oats or rye for digging in after the winter months. Much humus is thus provided for later crops to come. BROAD BEANS.—It is nearly time to think about planting f broad beans. If set at an early date they commence growth while f the ground is yet warm. Thus they mature early, escaping the i rust disease and the bumble bee. They are quite hardy and will | stand the cold weather provided they are not subject to severe * frosts. When they are about three i'eet high the tops may be t pinched out to keep them dwarf and may be boiled for greens if l so desired. | LAWNS.—ApriI showers are the backbone of autumn sown I lawns. Why waste time if you intend sowing this season? Start | at once. Patchy lawns may be repatched, using a suitable lawn | grass mixture. Ilb of seed will sow about 25 square yards of I ground. Lawns may be manured at planting time or top-dressed jj after the grass has shown through, at the rate of 4ozs. per square