IN THE GARDEN.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19080, 16 August 1927, Page 5

IN THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. (spxciiLLi vraims wi rax mess.) (By J. T. Sixcxaie.) ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. Opswa.—TVa «ha.l] deal with the makir.sr and planting of asparagus beds next vreek. VEGETABLES. Beet.—A small sowing of the Egyp" tian turnip-rooted sort can be put in. for early use. Sow ia shallow drills a Hoot apart. It should be borne in mind that this is only a stop-grip, and only a small lot should be put ia. It- is much too early for the main crop. Asparagus.—This, besides being planted in good and well-prepared soil, Mould be constantly fed from the surface. Few erop3 repay the use of artificial manures better than asparagus, provided that they are used in conjunction with stable manure. A good coating of stabic manure can now bo put on the bed, and in a few weeks an application of soil can be given, one pound per square yard is a good dressing. Salt, as well •'>« being a first-rate manure for asparagus, also keeps the beds free front weeds. The subsequent treatment in Ihe matter of feeding consists in giving 3oz. of nitrate of soda per square yard every week from the time the heads appear until cutting is finished. Soot, superphosphates, kainit, and sulphate of ammonia can be scattered on every week in rotation, and be well watered in. Asparagus is well adapted to the small garden, and a wonderfully heavy return can be cut from an established bed. Moreover, the "grass" comes in at a time of the' year wheii vegetables are not any too plentiful. Tomatoes. —A pan of tomato seed should now b k o sown in the greenhouse, and the seedlings potted off singly as soon as they are tit to be handled. These plants will be available cither for planting in the house or outside a little later on under a north wall. Parsnips.—When the tops begin to grow the roots should be lifted and stored, so that the ground can be put in readiness for another crop. Some position on which the sun does not shine is a good place for storing the roots, but some covering such as straw, old sacks, or mats, should be put over to excludo air. Jerusalem artichokes should be lifted, and the largest tubers selected for culinary purposes, while the smaller ones may bo set aside for seed.

FRUIT. The Vinery. —"Whore very early grapes are wanted in cool vineries the house should be closed down from now onwards. A little ventilation can be put on the top about the middle of the day during bright sunshine. To get a humid atmosphere the walls, floor, and rods can be given a light syringing in the morning, and early in the afternoon. Some time during the month the outside border can bo coated over with three inches of half-decayed manure from a stable. This not only supplies food to the roots, but it prevents rapid evaporation from the soil during summer. Basic slag is one of the best artificial manures for tho vine, and a dressing of six ounces can be scattered on every square yard. If the roots aro not too near the top, lightly fork the slag in, so- that it will, be some distance from the top dressing of stable manure. These two manures do not agrco very well. The slag is slow in action, and will be of benefit to tho vines when the berries are colouring. Other fertilisers, such as superphosphates, sulphate of ammonia, and nitrate of soda can be given when growth is active. It sometimes happens that the buds on. the tops of the rods start into growth first; owing to tho flow of tho sap; To prevent this the rods can be allowed to hang loose at the top, so that the extreme end will almost touch the floor. This will induce the buds to break regularly. I FLbWERS. j * Herbaceous Borders.—Where it was I : nob convenient to dig among the herbaceous plants in tho winter, an effort should, be made to overtake tho work at once. All old growths must be ie- ; moved, and clumps of strong-growing perennials reduced m size where they have got out of bounds. . I Begonias.—Tuberous begonias _ have i assumed an important position in the i ranks of those flowers which can be , j recommended to cultivators of small j gardens as being easy to grow and of j I considerable decorative value. Kept m , 1 pots and preserved ma compact, bushy , ! form they cover themselves with j j &, and remain attractive for manv ! months. They are also well adapted for bedding, as they -bloom freely, aro not tall or straggling, and are not denuded of their flowers by heavy show- , ers of rain. When all is said and done, the best method of propagation for the amateur is by sowing seed. Many beautiful varieties of the double single, and frilled sorts are obtainable at a comparatively cheap _ rate per packet of seed. The sowing is done in August, in a temperature of sixty-five to «venty degrees. Tho seed is very Si and as it should be sown thinly tfs well to ™ X a little fine sand with it to ensure a more even distribution. Sow in a pan, water the soil before sowing, and just cover the seed with sand. Lay over the pan a sheet of olass and over the latter a sheet of paper to provide shade, and place the pan in a warm corner. Ranunculuses.— These may bo Panted as soon as the soil is in suitable condition. At one time the ranunculus was one of the most popular flowers, but latterly it seems to have gone out of fashion. Although it looks well in a mixed border, it looks best when in a bed by itself. Where the ground is infested with wire-worm it is a difficult matter to keep the roots through the winter, and in such a case it is well to defer planting till spring. The ground should be well dug and mixed, with plenty of decomposed manure, and also, if the ground is heavy, with some grit. The tuberous roots should be planted, claw downwards, about two inches deep and four inches apart. Anemones.—These can be treated the same way as ranunculuses, but they will thrive better in a less open position, and should be planted at least sis inches apart. Hotbeds.—One can hardly _ overestimate the value of a hotbed in the early part of the season. A two-light frame is tho most convenient pattern, but a lot of stuff can be raised in even a one-light frame. The sashes may be about six feet long and four feet wide. The sash boxes which carry the glass should be as thin as possible, always making a due allowance for strength. The idea is that they should keep away as little light as possible. The sides of the frame must be made of stoutish wood, and in depth they may suitably be about twenty inches at the back, falling to fourteen inches in front. A frame, designed more or less on the lines indicated would ho of great practical assistance in the garden. If possible, arrange that the hotbed faces due north, so that the full benefit of the sun mav be secured. Whatever the size of the frame, the bed should measure at least eighteen inches more all round. Good stable manure is employed, in which there is a certain amount of straw. Turn the manure over once or twice at intervals of a few days. Ne:rt make the bed up even-

ly. and bo sure there are no lumps. Tramp down well, and continue to heap up the material until the bed is at least three feet deep. At first, the temperature will probablv be high, but when •it is between 80 deg. and 90 deg. sod can be put in anfl sowing or planting carried out.