THE GARDEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 252, 6 August 1941, Page 3

THE GARDEN

GENERAL ROUTINE WORK. (Written for tbe “ Guardian ” by W. B. Brookie. N.D.H., N.^.) PLANTS UNDER GLASS. Leaf cuttings of Begonia rex should be inserted in sand in a propagating case to provide plants big enough to occupy five-inch pots next summer. Healthy well-matured leaves should be selected. These should have the leaf surface reduced to a small portion around the leaf stalk about two inches in diameter. An inch of' the leaf stalk should also be retained and this is inserted to its full depth in the sand. The young plants aio produced from the base of the leaf. When well rooted transfer them to three-inch pots ol rich, free soil. Various other ornamental leaved begonias and some of the good flowering,kinds including the Gloire de Lorraine type are also raised from leaf-cuttings. Sow seed- of Primula obeohica in a, light ,4andy compost. They i germinate best in a temperature of 00 degrees but ihe seedlings after the early stage will be much healthier grown Under cooler conditions. Seedling cyclamen should not be allowed to remain in the seed pan too long. When they have made two leaves transfer them to fresh clean soil, putting six or eight in a six-inch pot or each one singly in thumbs pots. One of the most important points in the cultivation of plants in pots is in judging the right time to transfer them to larger receptacles, especially with those plants which require three or four shifts between the time of sowing and flowering such as cinerarias, calceolarias, schizanthus tuberous begonias and primulas. If the plants are ■left too long in the smaller pots they become starved and never regain the vigour shown by those potted on at the right stage of growth. The best indication' of the correct time to repot is when the roots form a thin network around the hall of soil with a few of the roots penetrating into the drainage material. <v THE FLOWER GARDEN. Complete the planting of hedges as soon as possible. One of the best introductions recent years for hedge Work is Lonicera Uitida, a honeysuckle from China with dark green box-like leaves." It is most satisfactory as a low hedge. It stands clipping well and When it has attained the desired which may be anything from one foot to three feet, will maintain a t(oat appearance for many years if trimmed closely in December and again in March. It is easily propagated from cuttings. These should he inserted about two-thirds of their length, in sandy soil in the open garden, spacing them six inches apart. Cuttings inserted now will be sufficiently advanced in growth by next May to be transplanted to their permanent position. Shrubs and' trees of all kinds may still be planted. In sandy ground that becomes, rather dry in summer plant ornamental brooms, Spartium junceum, cistus, phlomis fruticosa, berberis, indigofera pendula, hyperichms and escallonins. Plant firmly and allow plenty of space for each specimen to develop. A mixed shrubbery should always have included in the selection some shrubs which during the winter months will help to make the garden cheerful and interesting. In early winter the bright berried cotoneasters are indispensible. C'otoneaster serotina ami C. rotundifolia are .very satisfactory. Berberis, too ; provides many species which make a rich display of colour at that time. Straus vaosia salicifolia is an evergreen shrub with rich purply red foliage and reel berries produced in great abundance. Flowering plants for later winter include winter sweet, daphne mozerinm with sweet-scented rose pink flowers on bare branches, erica darloyonsis—a hybrid' from E. ■cornea x mediterranea, garrya elliptiea, evdonia japoniea, cnmelias and Witch hazels.

Attend to the repair of lawns as soon as possible. Bare patches should he forked over and sown with lawn grass or re-turfed. The latter method is the most satisfactory where a small area is to he dealt With. The bare patch should he cut out in a square as this makes the laying of the turves much easier. It is important when cutting out the turves that they should all he of the .same thickness., Verges that have become uneven should he straightened.

Whenever the soil is suitably dry a start can be made with the work of dividing and replanting herbaceous perennials such as phlox, delphiniums heleniums and perennial asters. When replanting select only the most vigorous young growths from the outside of the clump. In the case of the strong growing michaelmas daisies single shoots give the best results. These should be planted in groups spacing the individual plants about 15 inches apart. THE KITCHEN GARDEN. Complete the planting of all fruit trees and bushes as soon as possible. Rhubarb requires dividing and replanting when the roots become congested. The bed for it should he cultivated two feet deep and well manured. Select the strongest crowns from the old clumps and, plant these two and ahalf feet apart with the crown just showing above the surface. When the soil is in workable condition make a planting of cabbage. .This vegetable must have very rich soil to grow satisfactorily the best- heads being obtained from quick growth. A sprinkling Wf lime should bo forked into the ground before planting. Sow parsnips in a deeply-cultivated plot. This vegetable should have rich soil, but it objects to fresh manure.' A good place for it is where the celery was grown last year. Plant Jerusalem artichokes in drills three feet apart. The tubers should be

sot six inches deep and one foot apart in the row. Sow green peas in drills two inches deep and four inches wide. Protection for the young plants against birds must be provided either by covering the fow,s with wire-netting guards or by stretching a few strands of black thread over them. Three strands of thread oyer each row is quite effective. To hold the thread nothing is better than wire supports with three loops through which the thread can be- passed. 11l a’ sunny sheltered border of rich soil make sowings of lettuce, radish, and turnip. ' If young lettuce plants are available plant them in a similar situation. * Except in favoured localities it ‘is rather too early to plant potatoes. The seed tubers, however, should be obtained and prepared in readiness. Stand them in shallow trays with the eyes uppermost and place them in a position, where they will be exposed to plenty of light, but away from the danger of frost. Digging and trenching should be pushed forward at every .opportunity. Plant tomatoes in heated glasshouses. Dwarf French beans may lie sown in eight-inch pots of rich fibrous soil to provide an early supply. , Place four seeds in each pot and when they have germinated stand the pots well up to the roof glass. Onions sown in heat a month ago should now lie ready for pricking off into deep boxes of well manured soil. About the middle of September they will be ready for planting in the open garden.