GENERAL GARDEN WORK.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 21, 18 November 1908, Page 39

GENERAL GARDEN WORK.

There is plenty of work to be undertaken during this month. Owing to the showery weather w'e have had, crops are generally in a forward condition, and weeds are growing most luxuriantly. Every effort must be made to destroy weeds before they get strong. Sow Kidney Beans and Scarlet and other Runners; continue successional sowings of Peas, and earth up and stake those sufficiently advanced. Celery can be transplanted into prepared trenches; Cape Gooseberries and Tomatoes should be got in as soon as possible. Towards the end of the month plant out Kumeras. Cucumbers, Melons, Squashes and Pumpkins should be planted out when properly hardened off. Seeds of these may also be sown where they are to grow. Strawberry beds, it not already attended to, should be mulched with short grass or litter of some kind to keep the fruit elean. Sow saladings as required, and continue transplanting lettuce. Carrots, Turnips and other similar crops, thin out, and keep the hoe constantly at work stirring the soil. Spray Potatos with Bordeaux mixture or Vermorite. In the flower garden, bedding plants should be set out as soon as possible. Dahlias and Chrysanthemums are best planted out this month. Early flowering bulbs should be lifted when ripe, dried, and carefully stored. Roses may be given liquid manure once or twiee a week, and also syringed once a fortnight with Gishursts’ Compound, soft soap or other insecticide to destroy green fly. Carnations and Picotees will require staking and, where practical, n niched with manure. The lawn will require frequent mowing and rolling. Fruit trees in bearing will be greatly benefited by a top dressing of manure; those recently planted should be examined and securely staked where this has been overlooked; stir the soil lightly with a fork (a spade should not be used). Spraying the orchard will require careful attention; it is now generally admitted that Swift’s Arsenate of Lead is the best known preparation to use for codlin moth. It is manufactured from the best chemicals, under expert supervision, and if used according to the directions will not scald the foliage.