DAHLIAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 58, 9 March 1935, Page 6 (Supplement)

DAHLIAS.

AND LIQUID MANURE,

In regard to liquid manure go very slowly. Watering, unless in a poor soil, will give the roots all the necessary nourishment. Liquid manure niven to strong growers that curry coarse petalled flowers only accentuates the faults, and often spoils the blooms altogether; far rather have smaller flowers that are shapely and pleasiii" than grow those which are coarse and ugly. You can give liquid manure to advantage in light volcanic or sandy soil that leaches out quickly. Cow manure and soot provide the ideal liquid; make it weak rather than strong, and give no oftener than once a week. Where the growths are straight and strong, and the land rich loam, very little more than water should he necessary. A safe dahlia manure can be made by using 51b of fresh cow manure, loz of sulphate of ammonia and •20 gallons of water. U*c the liquid tlire'e days after "brewing." The plants producing specimen flowers can take about two or four gallons a week. Be sure that your plants require stimulating before giving the above. It is quite an easy matter to overfeed.

GROWING BUUBS IN WATER,

The system of growing hyacinths in water in glass vases, the tazetta or polyanthus narcissi can also bo grown in this way, is not so often practised as formerly. It lias no advantages perhaps for those who have gardens and greenhouses, but for those who live m

town and whose garden is confined to a concreted yard it is an interesting method of' cultivation. Although the orthodox shaped glasses are generally used they are not essentially necessary, even flat vases can be used, but in this case there should be a layer of clean pebbles in the bottom sufficient to keep the base of the bulb just above the water level. A few charcoal hut 3 should be placed in the bottom also. The water must be changed at lea.it once a week, and when changing do not pull out the bulbs; pour off most of the water and replace by some slightly tepid but not boiled water. The water should be just as warm as that taken

away. If using shallow vases care must be taken that the water does not dry up, but must be kept at a constant level and daily attention is accessary. Once a week pour oil' most of the water and replace by fresh. 1( grown indoors, on verandahs or window sills they must be grown naturally ami to ensure even development the puts or vases should be twisted round a little every day.

CHESHUNT COMPOUND

Cheshunt compound is a fungicide which is chiefly recommended for use under glass on tomatoes and cucumbers. It consists of two parts (by weight) of copper sulphate and 11 parts ammonium carbonate, which must be fresh. Reduce the ammonium carbonate to a fine powder by crushing, and then thoroughly mix with the copper sulphate, and store for 24 hours in a tightlycorked glass or stone jar before using. Prepare the solution by dissolving loz of the mixture in a little hot water and adding cold water to make two gallons. Only just the amount required for immediate use should be prepared, and vessels of iron, tin or zinc should not be used, as it not only corrodes these, but the mixture loses its strength.

•WEEDS

Weeds are difficult to control at any time, but particularly during autumn. Even if left on the ground after being cut they remain sufficiently alive to develop and scatter their seeds. For this reason all weeds should be dug in. burnt, or placed in a heap with other refuse where it will ferment sufficiently to destroy the germinating power of the seeds. A sprinkling of superphosphate nnd sulphate of ammonia between the layers of weeds will hasten decomposition and greatly increase the maimrial value of the compos-t.

LIQUID MANURING

Plants and crops in the flower ail'l vegetable garden can be kept in excellent condition even under drought conditions by systematic liquid manuring. Tlie be<?t, most economical, cleanly and easily handled ingredient for making liquid manure is Concentrated Tankage. Tt k an organic nitrogenous fertiliser, being the "soup" resulting from the processing and cooking of animal offal at our freezing works, solidified into a fine powder by the process of evaporation. 1 It is exceptionally rich in nitrogen and iron, and two cunc.es dissolved in a gallon of water (it will dissolve more' quickly if hot water is used) makes the ideal liquid manure. Packed in attractive and useful little buckets containing 711) of the Tankage, it will keep indefinitely, and i.< procurable from seedsmen, merehnnte nnd stores. Full information ciiii be procured from tho innnufaeturprs tlie Xcu- Zealand Refrigeritinj; Company. Limited, Clinetcliiireh. — (Ad.)