GARDEN NOTES.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13378, 20 March 1909, Page 6

GARDEN NOTES.

(By Horttjs.) ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 'Beginner."—ln reply to query pa to how 10 grew A_mcr.« to bloom in the winter: Those which you have already grown above the ground should be helped along by wat-eri-cr while the wro.ther :« dry. a_d Rise keep the surface of the -nil stirred. _at>*r on. say. in April or May, mulch around the liase of the plant with lc-af-lr.culd cr turfy lonm. Dtirir.p winter protect from fro-ts with some leaflets bra_ches of tree-a on tbe top of which may be spread at night some l:£_t -nckinjr materia!. With such treatment rlcwers of jroc-d quality may be had ever, in -..he dead of winter. Dry tubers set out now will cot b'lOcm before thc spring. Amateur"—The trouble with your cyclamen? and primulas is inck of air. Place them where they can get plenty of air. but not too much in the glare of the sun. Reduce the watering until the root action has become vigorous, after which a moister condition will be advantageous.

Weather conditions have suddenly changed to that which has been desired for some weeks. The abundant downpour of rain will help very much in every branch of garden work. A continuance of the heavy rainfall, however, is not. desirable just now, as it would only make the ground cold and putan end to the growth for the season. With a spell of warm weather alter this, growth will bo very free, and the vegetable crops, which are suffering from the effects of blights, will recover themselves bt-foi-o tho winter. Dahlias,

fijsmeas, lilies, and other autumn flowers will show at onco the effects of the timely rainfall. Trees which were going prematurely to rest will recover themselves, and the display of autumn tints will be delayed in consequence. Those who purpose either renewing or sowing down tlieir lawns at this season will lind tho conditions now most favourable for tho work. Seeds of all kinds which have been sown during tho dry weather will start into growth at once, and with a long autumn will bo well above the ground before the winter frosts are too severe to cut them back. FLOWER GARDEN. In the flower garden many of the annuals are over for the season, and these ehould bo removed at once and tlie ground stirred up, _o that tho light and air may enter the soil. \\ orking tho ground in the autumn, a iter a crop has been taken off, is recognised as a good principle by those who follow either agriculture or Horticulture on scientific principle-. \Vhere the spaces are large enough, either in the beds or in the borders, plant bulbs and tubers at once, and if some virgin sandy loam is procurable, add to the borders or beds before setting _>ut the bulbs. On no account add fresh stablo manure to the soil, as this is peculiarly objectionable to bulbs, owing to the presence of ammonia, which they resent.

Herbaceous plants of all kinds do best if set out in the autumn. This applies to pa»cnies, phlox, both alpine and shrubby flowering, Aubretias, dephhiniuras, spircea. astilbes, doronicum, trollus, rndbeckias, Oriental poppies, gypsophila, saxifragca, gaillardias, coreopsis, aquile_ias, etc. If any or all of these are set out at an early date from now, they will get a good grip of tho soil before the cold and wet of winter. All tho wounded roots will be healed and fresh rootlets will havo formed, thus enabling the plants to establish themselves in their new surrounding. This will mean much in the display of flowers next spring and summer. Remember to till the soil well before setting out the plants. Add bone-dust to the soil if no manures of the organic order are to hand.

Violas and pansies, if set out now, will do well, and the former will supply flowers from May till October, without a break. Sow sweet peas at an early date from novr s where the soil is light and sandy. Later will do where the ground is rich and heavy.

Pansies whicli have been making a display during the summer, and which are now ripening, should be cut well back to the base of the plant. In a few weeks young shoots throw up, after which tho shoots may be- lifted and divided into quito a number of plants. These, if set out in new soil, will come into bloom early in the spring.

Sweet pea seed should be saved at an early date, if this has not already been done. Annuals of all kinds, such as stocks, phlox, petunias, coreopsis, and asters, should be saved at a_ early date. KITCHEN GARDEN. In the kitchen garden seed sowing must be done in the way of some ot tho winter supplies. This refers to turnips, onions, and carrots for soups, lettuce, mustard and cress for salading. It is not yet too late to set out cabbage and cauliflower plants, but they will require stimulants if much size is expected. Celery and leeks should have attention, both in watering and in moulding up. In bringing the soil around the stalks take heed not to do it much at a time, but gradually, as the growths lengthen. Liquid manure is helpful to these plants should the food supply be limited at tho roots.

Potatoes which have ripened off in the stems should be lifted and stored. Those -which are intended for seed purposes should be saved in tlie lifting, when those of a prolific nature may be selected.

Tomatoes are now ripening their fruit, and with a spell of weather free from frost there should be largo supplies all through April and May. Where there is a superabundance of growth remove all laterals and spread out the plants so that they can get all the heat and light. The heavy rains will swell the fruit which is already formed, and add much to its size and quality. FRUIT GARDEN. Apricots, peaches, and nectarines which are growing against walls or fences will be helped by a thorough watering at the roots —this, of course, should tihe weather remain dry. This watering refers to those- trees which betray a strained condition owing to drought. Those trees which aro full of growth should not be watered, but allowed to ripen gradually. To water those trees which are growing vigorously would only increase the growth and lessen the chances of their setting fruit buds for the next season's crop.

The weather conditions are now most favourable for setting out strawberry plants if the ground is prepared l . Planting out fruit trees may be undertaken early, owing to the fact that the young trees aie ripening off, and many of them, such as plums and apricots, are now beginning to shed their leaves. Early planting of well-ripenod trees is strongly advocated by all well-informed fruit growers.