IN THE DOMAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 298, 28 September 1938, Page 6

IN THE DOMAIN

BIG PLANTING PROGRAMME. MANY SPECIALLY IMPORTED VARIETIES. NEW COLOURINGS FEATURED. v Sixty thousand annuals. That is the planting programme immediately ahead of the Ashburton Domain staff as arranged by the Curator (Mr I>. H. Leigh). Between GOO and 700 boxes of plants will be used before the programme is completed, and among the annuals to be featured this summer are many new novelty varieties and new colourings that were specially ordered by cable. A propagating section has been established near the glass houses and just to the east of the old fish pond, and there a number of long frames have been erected, with others in course of construction. Plants that have been pricked out into boxes are being placed in these frames as they are cbmpleted, and at night they are covered with sacking which goes over a. light framework of piping. Each of the boxes contains about 120 plants, and in each frame'there are about 70 boxes. Sterilisation of Soil. Though much has been done, there is still much to be done, and the soil sterilising plant which has been installed will be put to work at once. The soil to be used in the propagating boxes will he put in one end of a long, sloping, revolving steel tube, inside which there are jets that emit dry steam. As the soil comes out at the lower end of the tube it is completely sterilised, all plant life having been killed.

The New Colourings. New colourings will bo among the numerous new varieties of a novelty type that have been specially imported and residents of Ashburton will follow with interest the bedding ont of these plants. A very fine collection of a new Australian variety' of zinia has been obtained, and Mr Leigh is looking forward to these making an excellent showing during the season. In the glasshouses, where thousands of plants are growing in boxes, from which they will later he pricked out, extra space for boxes has been provided by the placing of shelters above the tables that have always been used. In one corner there is a special section of dahlias that is being closely watched by the Curator. Neat* the Water Wheel. Big changes have taken place in the lay-out of the corner of the Domain near the water wheel. Useless trees and shrubs have been taken away and the rustic fence has also disappeared, while the water wheel, in which so many people have displayed interest, is being renovated and coated with a bituminous paint. It will be replaced in a few days. To the north-east of this 1 point there is a large bed that is being devoted to hydrangeas. These are still small but will, in seasons, make a remarkably fine display. Even as it is, this season should see a good showing there. Later, tliis bed will be filled up with wilt-resistant a st'ers Rock and Water Garden. Work is proceeding in the preparation of the ground for the rock and. water garden which will be located behind the band rotunda, where the old pine trees were recently removed. Mr Leigh’s idea is to use the rock from the abandoned rockery near the bowling green to create a morain effect rather than a mounded up effect as in a rockery. The rounded sides of the ponds that will be created will be used for the cultivation not only of bog plants but also of alpine and moraine plants. This area, too, should rouse a good deal of interest. The new annuals, however, will be the main feature of the* Domain beds during the summer. Attention to Greens. Working in am advisory capacity, Mjr Leigh has been able to bring about distinct improvements on the playing greens in the Domain, and the outstanding result of work carried out at his suggestion is to be seen on the main green in front of the Ashburton Bowling Club’s pavilion. A general fertility dressing was prepared by Mr Leigh and this has been placed on the bowling, croquet and tennis lawns, where the effect has already been outstanding. The howling club’s green was subjected to some very rough treatment, the whole area being raked over. This brought to the surface grass that had, been practically dormant through having been continuously rolled and walked on and under the influence of the special dressing.

Scrim lias been placed over a section of the green to promote a mor/3 rapid growth of grass and to prevent birds from damaging the surface. The whole green has a luxurious growth of dark green grass, in striking contrast with the appearance of the second green. The dressing consists of 21 per cent of available nitrogen, 13 per cent of sulphate of iron, ii per cent of plio&r phate and 5 per oent of available potash . As far as the croquet lawn dressing is concerned, this mixture has meant that 21 hundredweight- of sulphate of ammonia- has been placed on each lawn, while the irom put on will do away with moss, while assisting the growth of grass. The Ashburton Howling Club’s pavilion is being prepared and painted and will greatly brighten that corner dt the (Domain. Its example could be followed by other clubs owning pavilions.