GARDEN NOTES.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9340, 14 February 1896, Page 3

GARDEN NOTES.

" Weekly Press and Referee."

No crop is more easily grown than Turnips at this time of the year. Fork over the ground, and remove rubbish, then make the surface fine, level and firm. Tho drills may be from 12in to 15in apart, according to the strength of the Turnip grown, the largest varieties, of course, requiring the most space. If dry weather it is advisable to water the drills. Sow thinly, ami thin out lightly at first, eventually leaving the plants from 6in to 9in apart. In some districts in England, it is stated by a contribute: , to the Uardtn " acres of Potatoes and Peas are followed by Turnips, not however, for either cooking or sale, lint to be dug or ploughed in as manure. Year after year profitable crops arc had from small holdings in tho neighbourhood of Bromham, Wiltshire, fanned by -working men, and green Turnips are nil the manure given. Instead of the laud lying fallow for several months it is covered" by Turnips, these preventing the loss of fertility by evaporation, in this way saving far more than they take out, and, being duly dug or ploughed in, decay slowly and prove excellent as a fertiliser" It is*the lighter or sandy soils that are most benefited by this and other forms of greon manuring, and this knowledge should also bo turned to account in many private gardens as well as in market fields." A second sowing of Endive may be made. Sow Winter Spinach on linn ground, allowing , plenty of space between the rows, and do not sow too thickly. In picking the leaves of Spinach, tho larger leaves should be taken oil as soon as ready, but not all at once as this is apt to check the plants and i render them slow iv producing more.

The most important work among bulbs at' this time is that of Lifting and drying prior to replanting them. Where possible—in small gardens at least—it is perhaps as well to replant as soon as convenient after lifting, as thereby a large amount of trouble is avoided. With some species an annual lifting is advantageous, this being jjreatly dependent on the soil. In sandy soil bulbs are much safer, even should the winter prove very wet, than would be the case il the soil were heavy. Many varieties of Daffodils are even improved by being left for two or three years in the soil without lifting, and this applies pai'ticularly to the large vigorous growing varieties, such as Emperor, Empress and Maximus. If the bulbs are lifted they should be exposed to free circulation of the air and not stored in olose boxes or bags. Give light and air among evergreen shrubs so as to encourage autumn growth. Continue propagation of all kinds of things. Cuttings of Pelargoniums should be struck in boxes exposed Ito the full light of the sun. Verbenas I Coleus and Alternantheras will strike freely [in a olose frame. Pentatemons, Antirrhinums, Veronicas and the like are also easily struck in any well shaded position. . A number of seeds of annuals for early spring flowering can now be sown.

Caladiutns when quite dried off may be stored in dry sand or cocoa nut fibre. The following handy method of layering pot plants, recommended by-a contributor to the columns of the Garden appears applicable to many other plants than Malmaison Carnations. After alluding to the difficulty often experienced in layering these Carnations in the open border, the writer says :— " The plan I adopt is to stand the plants in a part of the house, where they are shaded by the foliage of Azaleas and Camellias, sufficient sun and light, however, gaining admission to prevent them becoming drawn and weakly. I then eolect the most promising shoots, making an incision from one joint to another in the ordinary way. A little Sphagnum Moss is then gently wedged into keep the incision from closing, and. the whole bound round with Sphagnum Moss. The Moss is syringed daily to keep it moist, and in due time the young rootlets may. be seen protruding through the bandage in all directions. The layers are then taken off and potted, Moss and all." Sow some Cyclamen seed, thinly and not deeper than the thickness of the seed. Keep the pane shaded until germination has commenced.