Farm and Garden.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 428, 21 July 1904, Page 2

Farm and Garden.

ORIGINAL ARTICLES.

THK POPULAR HABTURTIUMS. 9HKHE Naaturtiumo are among the most gjjt'lg deservedly popular of garden fj&La flowers. They are easily grown annuals, patient of drought and negleot, suited to any sort of situation, free bloomers and gorgeous in colour. They are .specially Boitabler.-torihe farm. i>flower garden where things have-' to shift for themselves pretty much, so that they should be specially recommended in the farm and garden column. They belong to the old-fashioned gardens, along with Hollyhocks, Four O'Glooks, Morning Glories, and Bachelor Buttons. The varieties most commonly planted are probably the Dwarfs, and that kind is most suitable for neglect. But the finest | flowers are undoubtedly to be had from the climbers. In general the richest colours are to be found in what the seedsmen name the Lobblannm Nasturtiums, though the greatest variety of pattern may be had in the hybrids of Madame GuntherMost persons admire Nasturtiums for their colours, which are very rich and varied. They run from almost white, as in Asa Gray, to almost black. The yellows and reds predominate of course, and in general the bast colours are the clear shades of these twO primary colours. In fact the ideal Nasturtium as to colour is the self-coloured flower. The rich, velvety surface of some of the best varieties is like the finest of silk. But the Nasturtium fanciers look to form as much as to colour—perhaps more. In fact form is & better test of good breeding in the floral line at least than colour, and is generally a more satisfactory quantity to the artistic eye. Let every one consider the forms of the Nasturtiums. The beat new varieties have much larger flowers, with wider, fuller petals, which constitute a full rich blossom; any one who has time to devote to such things will be well repaid by bujing seeds of the named varieties, and especially in getting some new sorts from German sources.

HINTS ON RASPBERRY PLANTING,

Bed Raspberries are similar to blackberries in their manner of propagation and growth They are easily cared for and should be planted much the same as blackberries. They are also killed by severe winter weather, and for that reason would not be a success in very cold districts. Raspberries are usually pro-. ; pagated from the tips of the vines which enter the ground in midsummer and throw out roots in the autumn, In removing the plants for transplanting a piece of the vine ia left attached for convenience'in handling. That portion of old vine soon diss after the plant is established in its new home. Raspberries grow best when planted in rich well-drained soil. Tho ground should be deeply ploughed and thoroughly pulverised before planting. A small furrow may be run where a row is to be planted, or holes made with a spade for each plant. Straight rows make easy cultivating. The plants should be about seven feet apart, and the plants half as far apart in the rows. In the autumn the tip of the old vine makes a bud or sprout, and that ia what growß as a plant in the spring. The lower enda of the roots should be placed deep in the soil, but the sprout should be near the surface and covered with only an inch or so of loose dirt. It will not come though if a lot of dirt is packed on top of it. Over the roots the dirt should be packed solidly! three or four inches. If the ground ia in proper tilth at planting time it will settle considerably. Bemember that, and have the plants deep enough so that the cultivator will not disturb the roots after the ground has settled. Some people favour one variety of plant and some another, but a good selection may be made from moat nursery gardens.