THE WEEK'S WORK.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 59, Issue 55, 5 April 1930, Page 3

THE WEEK'S WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. Dalxlias are noiv in their full glory, and the opportunity should be taken to seiect new varieties, and diseard any tliat are not fiust-class. _ When possible the*' selection should be made from growing plants, for there are so many varieties in cultivation that tliere is no need to grow varieties tliat liave bad liabits. ' Chrysanthemum birds are swelhng fast, and some of the early sorts are already opening. Once the'petals begm to show colour stop supplying liquid manure. The dry weather liad begun to have a liardening effeet upon tlie huds, but the sliglit shower at the beginning oi this week helped them wonderfully. Many growers advocate syringing or spraying overhead with ciear water during dry spells, and in moderation it is very helpful, but it can easily be ovedrone. The resnlt of too much moisture is a gross soft foliage that quiekly rusts once the cool nights come._ Disbudding mrrst he continued, and plants grown for garden deeoration or cutting purposes should have the buds reduced, and onlv those left that will be ahle to develop. Where the chrysanthemum plants are sending up strong suckers, the tops of the suckers should he cut off level with the soil. Herbaceous plants will need attention to staking. As the blooms go over cut them off so as to keep the border as tidy as possible. Place prominent labels or leave a portion of the old stem standing to elearly mark the positions of herbaceous plants that die completely off. Many a fine hulb has heen spoilt throngh the position not havmg been marked. Prepare ground for sowing sweet peas. Both the Winter or early flowering and Summer varieties can he sown now. If the ground is not ready sow a single seed in the small sweet pea pots sold by seedsmen. Prepare the ground for new lawns ; the last few weeks have been ideal for preparing the surface, and getting "id of some of the germinating weed seeds. Bulb jdanting should he done with all speed ; the sooner the hulhs are in the soil and rooting the hetter. Plant anemones _ and ranunculi, Iachenalias, Spanish iris. Now is a good time to break up and replant -clumps of rkizomateous, or German, or flag irises..