THE WEEK’S WORK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 940, 9 December 1933, Page 23 (Supplement)

THE WEEK’S WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. Sow Wallflower, Canterbury Bells, Sweet William, Carnations, Brompton Stock, Penstemon, Polyanthus, etc. Dahlias can be planted. Cuttings taken now will give some late blooms. Plant Salpiglossis, Zinnias, Salvias, Celosias. These are hot weather plants and require full sun. Asters can be planted. It is advisable if wilt has been present in previous years to give the soil a dressing of naphthalene or some other soil steriliser a week before planting. Roses should be dusted with sulphur every week or so. If caterpillars are about add one part arsenate of lead powder to nine parts sulphur. Cut off dead Rose blooms. When cutting do not be afraid to cut back to a good bud. Polyanthus and Primroses can be lifted, divided and replanted. Seed of Mignonette, French Marigolds, Iceland Poppies can oe sown Tulips, Hyacinths and Lachenalias can be lifted. These should be dried, but must not be left longer than necessary in the sun. Liliums are beginning to show flower buds. A short stake put to any that require it will keep the stems upright. Flowering plants of Per. Poppies, Lupins, Delphiniums, should be well watered in dry weather; so should Amaryllis and Belladonnas. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Dwarf and Runner Beans can be sown for successions. Draw soil up to the rows of Peas. Stake them as soon as they require it. Prepare trenches for Celery and Leeks. Grow a few Lettuce, Radish and Spinach in the trenches till required. Tomatoes must have laterals removed. Keep the plants securely staked. Dust with the sulphur-arsenate spray as recommended ; or Roses. This will clean off caterpillars and also act as a fungicide. P ‘ nch ..°, Ut the t!ps of the shools of Pumpkins, Marrows, Melons, etc. Hand fertilise Pumpkins and Melons. Fertilise four to six flowers on r n l? ay *° l^ at tbe * ruits start growing away together. 3ow Cabbage and Cauliflowers. Dust soil with naphthalene occaaionally to keep off Cabbage fly. THE FRUIT GARDEN. Spray Apples and Pears for Codlin moth. Spray Plums and Peaches for leech and brown rot. If br °*J 2 ® e^ etle is k ear «l *** the evening, spray the trees with arsenate A useful, always available, easily applied dust spray is „i ne part, flowers of sulphur and one part arsenate of lead. Thin Apples, Pears, Plums and Peaches as necessary. As soon as vines go out of flower remove some of the surplu. growth and tie in the fruiting laterals. THE GREENHOUSE. Commence to thin out Grapes as soon as berries are the size ot small peas. During flowering, keep atmosphere in the vinery rather drier and give more ventilation. Tapping the vine rods in the middle of the day will help to distribute the pollen and assist setting. When vines are in flower and fruit is setting, do not cut or take out laterals. Wait until fruit has set before doing any trimming. Dusting with dry sulphur is advisable to keep down mildew. A sowing of Primulas and Cinerarias can be made Transplant those sown early. Do not allow seedlings of any kind to remain in seed boxes to spoiL Better to handle what you have time and roof for and destroy the others.