IN THE GARDEN.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18670, 20 April 1926, Page 12

IN THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

(SPBCIALLT WRITTES TOR "IHH PUSS.")

(Br J. T. Sinclair.)

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. South Border.—lt jb a pity you did not state tho width of the border. However, you will find the following will all do well in tho poeition you mention: Aquilegia, auriculas, andromeda japonica, anemone hopatica, a japonica alba, helliborus niger, iria fcßtidiesima, polyanthus, primrose, eaxifraga London Pride, thalictrum, aquilegia folium, and tradescontia virginica. St. John Wort will also thrive.

VEGETABLES. Storing root crops—The harvesting of root crops should bo attended to within the next few weeks. Potatoes should be lifted and stored as early as possible, especially if they have a touch of disease <Binong them, as the longer they are left the worse they will become. The lifting should he done during a period of fine weather, when the ground is dry, and can be left to dry on the surface for a few hours. Before being stored, all small, damaged, and unsound tubers must be sorted out Any place that is frostproof and from which light can be partially or wholly excluded will do for storage purposes. Clamping is the only method of storing when large quantities are grown. Parsnips, of course, are best left where they have E rown, and can be lifted for use as required. Beetroot is a vegetable that dislikes . cold weather, and should be lifted when it has completed its growth. It is well to loosen the ground around the root with a fork previous to drawing out the root, so that it remains complete right to the top. To break or bruise tho root skin means that "bleeding will result, and this saps the quality of the root, and it is never good after this takes place. Having drawn the root, tho soil can be rubbed off, but the small rootlets must not be cut off with the knife—and then the tops icrewed off. If these tops are cut oft without due care,.the knife is apt to slip off a portion of the crown as well, and this is .very detrimental to the root. The work should be done on a dry day and the roots left drying on the ground for a few hours, so-that they may become partly, dry, after which they will he ready for storing. In storing these, if the quantity is small, they may be built up on a very little space on the floor of an outhouse,- one on top of the other, with a little sand spread between each tier of roots, to keep them solid and in place. When large lots are to be. stored, there is no betterrriethod of dealing'with them than storing'them in damns in the same manner as potatoes. Carrots and salsify can he dealt with in the same way; the latter, must be handled with as much care as beetroot. Jerusalem artichokes, like parsnips, depreciate in quality if lifted and stored in any of these ways,-and-should be lifted from the ground as wanted "for use.

FRUIT. Vines, from which the grapes have been cut can have the laterals shortened back a little, which will not only cheek the flow of sap and cause the basal buds to plump up, but will allow more light and air among the (Canes and cause them to ripen better. If no fruit is .hanging in the house, the foliage will be greatly benefited if given a good hosing down, especially so if red spider has been at work; the top ventilators can also be left open all night—the' milder tho night the more air should be admitted. ' It is hard to make amateurs see the need of giving the grape vine as long a season of rest as possible if good crops are desired.. Ripe wood-'is essentialto good bunches, and this can 'only be got by giving the roots as much air as is possible at this season, so.that the leaves will all be down and ing process complete by about the middle of June. It is about that time that pruning should be done, and as late pruning is often the cause of vines bleeding, it will be seen thatevery at-. tehtion should be given now. If mealy bug are present, they can easily, be killed by touching them with a camelhair brush, dipped in petrol or spirits of wine. This should be done carefully, as the ljast is easily injured, and oil of a greasy nature should never be used.

FLOWERS. Violas.—For spring and summer flowering these can now be. planted out.. The soil must be'deeply dug and well manured if lasting results are desired. Whether used for edgings or massed in beds, these flowers always make.a good display, and should be freely used. Lily-of-thc-Yalley.—lf at all. overcrowded, this should be lifted, divided, and replanted now. Light soil can be given a good dressing of leaf-soil. If it can be managed, a position where there is partial sh.ade should be chosen. Good crowns sh6uld be planted two inches apart and six inches between the rows. Rose .. Cuttings.—Many of * .the stronger-growing roses do well on their own roots, except wHere the soil is cold and wet.' The manner of selecting the right kind of cutting is rather. important, for somo form roots "much quicker than others, and get away more freely afterwards. In taking the cuttings, •those that have well. matured their growth and arc strong and straight should be selected. Like all other things raised from cuttings, tho wood must be well ripened. If it. has been- shaded, whilst growing, and is therefore thin and weakly, it will be inoro liable to damp and decay. In detaching the shoots from the parent plant, ■ remove with them a small portion of the previous season's growth, as roots are emitted much more freely from this base than from a base that has been formed higher up the growth, although it is not imp6ssible to get them to root from almost any portion, providing they are cu. off square below a joint. In making the cuttings, cut their base through just where the season's growth has started from, taking rather a thin slice of last season's wood to form a heel. None of the lower buds, should be removed, as they will eventually appear as new growths through the. soil. They should be shortened to about twelve inches in length, and in this condition they are ready.for insertion: in the .soil. The border can face east, and if it does not get the full glare of the summer sun, so much the better. If the soil is heavy, scatter a little sand, whereon the cuttings will rest, in the bottom of the trench. The rows should be twelve inches apart, and about six inches between the cuttings. Three, or at most four, buds should be above ground level. With ordinary luck, five out of the six should be well rooted by next midsummer, and will be in good condition for planting out in their permanent quarters the following-winter./ Throughout the whole, season weefia must be kept down, and.the surface kept;friable with the Dutch hoe. Water must be given in copious supplies . during periods . of drought, and insect and fungoid pests • kept at bay.