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Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 6 (Supplement)

DAFFODILS.

DIVIDING THE BULBS. After lifting daffodils and drying tliem, the question of dividing the bulbs before planting is one over which amateurs often fail. They will try to break off every little offset, and tho result is that many are rendered useless by having no -root base. Unless the offsets are qiiite distinct, and not connected by any sheathing skins, they should not be

broken off. It is much better to leave the sideshoots on, and to replant the bulb without dividing it than to break them off to be useless. The illustrations show what is meant. Ais a typical bulb, which is actually two bulbs, but should not be divided. B is one with offsets, which also should not be pulled off this season. Cis a bulb which can be divided, taking care that the base is broken in half, and not torn away from one of the bulbs.

NARCISSI. Tlic planting of narcissi and other Bf.ring flowering bulbs forms the most important part of the work in the gcrden at the present time. Experienced bulb growers are all agreed upon one point —the necessity for early planting. It has been proved that narcissi like plenty of moisture- when they are growing vigorously, but that they liko the moisture to go through and not lie stagnant in the soil. To secure these conditions it is necessary to dig thor-Piighly.-not only the top Boil but also the subsoil. Although narcissi like deeplydug or trenched soil to live in, they, at the samo time, resent loose soil. Hence the necessity for the early preparation of the soil. Ground that has recently been trenched or dug .should, while the soil is dry, be well trampled upon to produce the necessary firmness. When planted, the depth of the soil above the neck of the bulb, should be one and a hnlf times the depth of the bulb itself. The bulbs should be plaoed on a lirm base, and, if possible, on a layer of sand. The soil should be placed firmly round the bulbs, and the surface soil should be kept loose. Bonedust is perhaps the safest manure to use for narcissi. It may either be mixed with the soil at planting time or used as a topdressing to be lightly pricked in directly after planting. Expensive varieties are best planted in beds by themselves, and as the beds look very untidy when the foliage dies it k best to relegate them to a part of the garden where they will not be too noticeable. For making a show in .the garden bold clumps of commoner kinds may be planted in mixed borders, where their untidiness at the ripening stage may be concealed by other plants growing about them.

WALLFLOWERS. This sweet old annual seems to have jumped into much favour again. _ The coming of the newer strains of singles that flower first year from seed has been responsible for the garden public changing their attitude. The move is a very wise one, for the wallflower in its full spring glory has a sweetness and perfume very hard to equal. Therj* is more hardiness about wallflower than most other seedlings possess. While even comparatively small the plants are wiry and strong enough to stand a move out into the open, and to put up with hardships that would kill most other plants. Planted alternately with candytuft, this flower will make a nice border. Ten inches apart will do. Any of last year s plants should be given a good manuring and watering. EXHIBITION ROSES. To the professional who grows a large number, often two or three hundred, there is no need to tell him as to what are and what are not exhibition sorts. To the man who has not time, money, or opportunity to grow such a number, but who wishes to have a few to compete with, there arc varieties that year after year are found on the show board. It is not the new sorts, either, thatone finds there, but many that are ancient, yet can still hold their own while new sorts come and go. Caroline Tesrnut—Satin Rose. , Dame E. Helen—rink. Dueliess of Sutherland—Rose Fink. Kail Hate —Bright Crimson. George Dickson—Crimson. Tlua Wallace —Soft Rose. Fran Karl Dmischki —White. Gloire do Chedane Guinoisseau — Vermilion Red. Mrs. H. Wallace. Rows—Bright Rose. Sachengruss—Light Flesh. Souv. de Claudus Pernet—Yellow. Souv. de Georges Pernet—Orient Red. LEEKS AND VEGETABLES. A good stimulant for leeks is half an ounce of nitrate of soda in one gallon of water, applied once a week, after first watering with clear water should the ground be dry. This may also be applied to any other "green" vegetables; it is at this time of the ■ year that assistance with stimulantß is of great value. *.

LILIUMS.

HOW TO GROW IN POTS.

Of the many bulbs which do well in pots for decoration of the greenhouse or ,verandah, none surpass the lilium3. To do them well they need to be potted or planted as soon as obtainable, and it is a mistake to think that they can be stood for any length of time like narcissi. The bulbs should not be out of the ground longer than possible. Some of the liliums send out roots from the stems, and these should be potted so as to allow for topdressing. A good

compost for liliums is two parts fibrous loam, one part sand, and one part leafsoil. Good, drainage is essential. Have elean pots; seveii or eight inches will be necessary if the bulbs are large. Lilium auratum and L. speciosum are usually, large, L. longiflorum or Harrisii are smaller and can bo put in six or even five-inch pots. Put some broken rocks or rough scoria in the bottom of the pot, and over this a layer of moss, or some of the rougher pieces of the compost. Then put in a little of the soil, press firm; on this put a layer of sand, then the bulb or bulbs, and

scatter a little sand around the bulbs. fill up till soil is level with the top of the bulb, which will mean that the pot is only about half full. This emptyspace is to allow for topdrefising after the bulbs have commenced to grow. The pots can bo stood in a frame or on a greenhouse bench, and so long as the soil is moist do not apply water 5 usually none is required until the bulbs have commenced to grow. As soon as growth commences and the stem is a few inches high an inch or so of topdressing should be applied. For this use the compost above with the addition of a teaspoonful or so of bonedust. As the stem grows, further topdressings ehould be applied until the pot is full. When in full growth plenty of water will be required, and once the pots are full of roots weak liquid cow manure can be applied once or twice a week. Liliume do best when their stems are protected from the sun, but at the same time let them have plenty of light and air.

RHUBABBi Now is the time to prepare tlie ground for this healthy and succulent, vegetable. The land cannot be made too rich. The roots aro gross feeders and the more stable and liquid manure that is incorporated with the soil to a depth of three feet the better the crop will be. Choose a sunny dry position for your bed, open up a good trench- so that you dig to ,a depth of from 30 to 30 inches. If you can't get stable manure, mix garden manure with leaves or' garden compost and incorporate with the soil. It is a good plan to put your roots in as you dig the ground. A dozen roots aro sufficient for a email family. Be careful not to damage the roots, and ece that the prongs are spread out and pointing downwards. Plant the roots 18in to 30in. There is a great many roots planted that have been raised from seed and the result is, although they give a certain amount of good stoma, a large number are always sending up flower ehoots. If possible procure roots that have been propagated by division for, although they may be more expensive, they will give a 50 per cent better return.

UTILISING A DEAD TREE FERN.

One way of utilising the stem of a dead tree fern is to eaw off the extreme

top down to where it is more or less woody. ■ Then cut out the centre, just leaving the firm outer shell. In this

NARCISSUS TRIANDRTJS ALBUS. This is ono of tlic most cliarming bulbous plants for the rock garden. It has pale; milk-white flowers, and a pretty pendulous habit. They flower in September, and it is difficult to imagine anything more lovely than a group of these dainty flowers coming into bloom. I The leaves of the narcissus are quite grasslike. It does best when given the shelter of a rock from cokt winds, and should be planted in small colonies. Sandy loam with a. little leafeoil added suite it. The bulbs should be planted as early as possible, and, when practical, by March. There are other varieties of N". triandrus which are equally pretty, land should be added to the collection.