IN THE GARDEN.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16214, 17 May 1918, Page 4

IN THE GARDEN.

(Bt J. T. Sinclair.)

VEGETABLES.

| Comparatively few people realise tjsc importance of what may be 'termed garden hygiene. That is to say, they will cheerfully allow all kinds of dirt and rubbish to accumulate, and even actual disease to go unchecked, in a manner they would never dream of tolerating in their dwelling-houses. To take one"instance of this, the practice of allowing leaves and vegetation of all sorts—more particularly green vegetation—to lie and rot on the garden ground, is extremely detrimental. On clay soils it actually encourages miasma, and on any ground it is a source of unwholesomencss and may provide a suitable breeding ground for various pests and diseases. Tlie outside leaves of cabbages and other crops of brassicas—and, indeed, of any other crop of which a certain portion may have to be discarded—

ought never to be left lying on the ground, but either be laid at the bottom of trenches to decay or be burnt together on a heap of what in garden parlance is usually known as "smother fire." The latter method is, of course, only a rather lengthier process of burning than a quick fire, but it is in some ways to be preferred, as it undoubtedly conserves a greater amount of useful food substance for the ground. A refuse heap, is a better method still for providing plant food. Where a lire may be the method employed, let every crumb of ashes be saved, as to waste any of these would be to deprive the ground of precious potash—of which, as a commercial commodity mainly imported from Stassfurt, Germany, we are now deprived. It is leallv sad to see the remains of a

garden bonfire allowed to be saturated by drenching rains, which must inevitably wash the greater part of the potash right away. Onions, beetroot tomatoes, and, above all, that important article" of food, the potato, r.re among the vegetables which are rich ia potash salts, and therefore require a. good supply of this ingredient in the ground. , For the rest, tile aim should be to! keep the ground cleared and tidied as

far as time permits, and to remove all crops which can bo utilised or stored, as by doing so the soil is both kept clean and exposed to the weather. Nearly every root crop, artichokes and parsnips excepted, is "safest lifted and put under protection when May arrives. and the ground can then bo trenched, manured, and limed as weather makes possible and occasion demands.

FBUIT.

PLANTING BUSH FRUIT,

Fruit.—There would appear to be but little doubt that small fruit will continue to increase in popularity both for dessert and cooking. As the plants remain in the same ground for some years, and, consequently, there will not be au opportunity for working it during that time, they should get a good start by having the ground deeply -worked. Gooseberries, red and white currants, prefer a fairly deep and well- I manured soil, hnd, indeed, this is essentia! if the fine fruit and heavy crops are desired* Black currants need a cool root run, and they will thrive on soil of a damp but not water-logged character. The present is an excellent time for preparing the soil, which should b<> allowed a few weeks' time to I settle before the plants are put in. A space of six feet between each plant, both in the rows and from row to row. will be necessary, for if the bushes grow as they should they will then have none too much room. During the growing season small fruits of all sorts greatly appreciate snaking with clear water and weak liquid manure, but this jabour will be lessened if a good mulching of short dceaved manure is spread over the roots. New plantations are greatly benefited by this until the roots take to the new soil. Mulching is best deferred till spring.

FLOWERS.

Renovating herbaceous borders.— Herbaceous perennials in a mixed border are able to grow a long time with vcrv little attention, because, being different, they use different kinds of food, or at least the same kinds in different proportions, and obtain them from different strata. But this cannot continue indefinitely. Sooner or later they must exhaust the natural supplies in the ground, and, unless food is added they must deteriorate: all the sooner if they are 'allowed to go on spreading, as is the habit of many of tliem—for instance, the Michaelmas daisies. Every three or four vears the clumps should be lifted and chopped up with the spade into several pieces, the best to be replanted after and manuring. Th e best will be found on the outside, for these parts are the youngest, and therefore the most vigorous growing in soil which is comparatively fresh. The parts in the middle ar<? necessarily the oldest, and may be quite worn out. The soil immediately beneath them has been drained of its supplies, and in summer must often be almost entirely destitute of moisture while by their position they are prevented from competing with the younger members of the colonv for the food which lies around. When the division takes place, the plants should be cleared of any weeds. When they I are m the ground it is impossible to • yull out from among them th© roots of . s .uch things as twitch. Wl, en thevare > lifted and divided th e task is rather easier. For all plants intended to , occupy the same positions for a number of years manure should be dua in abundantly. Until they ar 0 next di " turbed, it cannot be apriied except in the form of a top-drassinc* wien, as we have soon. it will "Imost exclusively th e outer portions. i " ,il? r has oeen Ranted recently ■-r.cn all the operations necessarv are the ■attm- down of the various plants. -:miva£ of weeds and other rubbish, a •hu forking of the surface soil, and ip-uressmg with soil or manures such i>lunt3 as require this kind of attention,

(SPECIAIXT WBITTEN FOB "THI PRKSS.")

AXSWER TO CORRESPOXDEXT. Hortus.—\ou can poison wood lice by placjn? phosphorised pollard about their haunts; they cat this and die. Pouring boiling water over t heir breeding places is also a good remedy. Xou can trap a Jot by cutting potatoes tluousja the middle, scooping a little out of the centre, and placing the potatoes, cut part, ol }, frround. Xumbers of the insoct3 wi.l crawl under these, and can shaken in'.o a -vessel containing hot water. The pollard is the best remedy when largo numbers are to be dealt with.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

j All unoccupied ground should be broken up with the spade aud manure applied il' it is heavy, but, if very light, digging can be deferred til] spring. Bastard trenching or double digging should be practised as far as possible. This mode of tillage is much better for vegetable crops than simple digging one spit or spade depth. Heavy land, if cast in ridges, is greatly bene-! fitcd by the greater exposure of the surface to frost which is provided thereby. lu. digging it is important to grub out carefully all sorts of deeprooting perennial weeds such as docks, dandelions, and twitch-grass; they cannot bo so "dealt with when crops aro occupying the ground as when digging is being done. The roots of all such should be burnt or laid in a rot heap to be converted into fertilising material.

Dahlias. —When the stems have been cut down to within six indies from the ground the tubers should be taken up very carefully on a fino morning. Let them dry gradually and perfect]*- before they are stored away in dry earth or sand, in any place which is not damp, and is out of the reach of frost.

Hardy Cyclamens.—These beautiful plants are often ruined by being planted on the surface of the soil. The bulb should b« placed in the ground at least two inches deep, and not, as is the case with the greenhouse variety, have its bulb showing on the surface' of the soil. A partially shaded position is best.