UNKNOWN

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 32, 7 February 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

UNKNOWN

Hardy Biennial.—This is almost indispensable to any garden. J.b is easy of cultivation. Old plants may be sub-divided at any time during the winter, up till ib begins to put oub new growth in the spring. It can also bo raided from seed. The seed should be sown during April in a seed-pan and placed under glass. Tho seed will soon germinate. When the young plants are large enough to handle they should be pricked out into boxes. After pricking out still grow under glass till they aro aboub two to three inches high. When they havo attained this height take out into the open air to harden off.' During September and October plant out into the borders where they are to grow. The first season they will flower, but in the second they will be much larger plants, and should make a splendid show during tho early parb of bhe summer. In the younger stage of growth the little plants will need to be carefully watched, as slugs are particularly fond of them. If it were nob for thi3 pesb, bhe Sweet William would become a weed in our climate. Foxglove, Digitalis (Hardy Perennial).—This is a splendid plant for placing at the back of any broad border. It grows to a height of from four to six' feet. In the diflerenb varieties there are some very fine shades of colour. Tho tall spikes of flowers senb oub during tho flowering season will_ always make it an especial favourite. It is easily raised from seed. Tho seed should be sown in bhe open air during April. The seed should be sown thinly in a bed composed of ordinary soil, covered lightly. As the moist weather sets in the seed will soon germinate. As tho plants get large enough thin out to about three inches apart. The thinnings will do for pricking out elsewhere if required, During September and October the plants should be large enough for planting out in their permanent quarters. They should flower tho first season after being planted. In tho second they will give larger and finer spikes of flowers. To grow the foxglove well, a deep, rich soil is requisite, as this plant every season makes a large amount of vegetable tissue. After the first spikes of flowers tho spike with the seed pods should be cut out. This will induce a number of secondary spikes to grow. These secondary flowering shoots will not nearly be so large or so line as the first ones. This is ono of the few plants which I have been able with ease to raise from seed in the open ; the slugs do nob seem to interfere with ifc much. Gaillardia. Tliis genus comprises both hardy annua* and perennial plants, all well adapted for making a splendid show in tho flower borders. The annua) varieties can be easily raised from seed. The seed should be sown in seed pans in the house during June, July or August. When the young plants are large enough to handle bhey should be pripked oub into boxes and still grown under glass till they are from two to three inches in height. Afterwards take out into the open air to harden off. They can be planted out ab any time during the spring up till the middle of November. The perennial varieties can also be raised from seed and cuttings—bhe same system adopted for growing the annual varieties from seed will do. To grow from cuttings the cuttings can be taken off ab any time during the season, and can be struck it care is taken ; but the besb time is during bhe autumn and winter, say during May. The cuttings should then be pricked into pots or pans in soil of a light, sandy nature. When the cuttings begin to grow they then can be pricked into boxes, now using a richer soil. When the plants are fairly well established in the boxes they should be taken oub into the open air. The best time to plant out in their permanent flowering places is during October or early in November. The gaillardia is one of our best summer and autumn flowering plants to stand, and gives an abundance of flowers during tho dry season if moderately supplied wibh water. There is also groafc variety in bhp colour and shape of the flowers, making each plant a conspicuous objecb in bhe borders. The gaillardia in favourable situations (and with permission of the slugs) will continue growing all winter, and early in the spring will become well furnished with flowers. Double Hollyhock. Altiicea Rosea (hardy, perennial).—This a splendid showy subject for the back of broad borders. In good soil it will sometimes attain a height of from six to eight feet. When a good strain of seed has been obtained mosb of the plants raised will be double, and most of them will be remarkable for the size of the flowers and brightness of their colour. The seed should be sown towards bhe end of March in a seed pan and placed under glass. As soon as bhe young plants are large enough to handle, tbey should be potted off into four-inch pots. A good rich compost should be used in potbing. After potting the plants should-be kept under glass till they are well established in the pots, thab is, when bhey have abtained a height of about three inches. When such height has been attained tho plants can °be placed still in the pot 3 oub in the open, where they will be exposed to the rain. In the beginning of October the place they are to be planted in should be specially prepared. Near a barrow-load or well-rotted manure should be deeply dug into the soil for each plant, and in this they should be planted about the end of October. As the warm weather sets in each plant should receive plenty of water so as bo keep them growing. In the firsb year nearly all tho planfc3 will flower. All single or indifferent varieties should be pulled oub. The second year bhey should be ab their besb and a liberal breabmenb should be awarded bhem. Recollect while preparing ground for thisplanb thab ib is one which has to make a large amount of vegetable tissue every season, and that it can only do so where it has been liberaiy treated in bho way of manure and trenching the ground.