IN THE GARDEN.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19612, 7 May 1929, Page 6

IN THE GARDEN.

j WORK FOR THE WEEK. t , i VEGETABLES. I iSPECIAIX-J WBITTEN FOR 1i".:. ; BBSS.) [By J. T. Sinclair.J ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. J.D.K. —Certainly, you can still plant daffodils, although they would have been better hud they been planted two months ago. Your ranunculus tubers set two inches det'p and three or four inches .-ipart. If you want a long flowering >cii'oii plant "the h.lf of them now and the" other half in spring. Jndeed. the latter is better if you are bothered with wireworros. Place the tubers claw-side d..wu«-iiril*. Celery. -The time lias come wlk-ii we must place tin- soil around the lato celery plants The dry weather during the past few weeks did not altogether suit them, but where they have been well supplied with water they have maae goud growth, but the sticks will not be quite up to the average if water has been stinted. During the past month rust has set in in some lots, and where tins has taken place a good spraying with lime-sulphur should be given. before putting any soil about the plants, look over them, and pull away any leaves which show signs of decay ; also any small basal leaves and all weeds. " If greenfly has been giving any trouble during the past few weeks, and should the foliage still be affected some moans must be taken to clean it before applying the soil. Next scatter n little old soot between the plants, as this? will be found to keep away slugs and other pests. The leaves of the plants should l>e held together by tying them with raffia, cotton, worsted, or such like material. The soil should be broken down lhiely and packed closely round the plants, not going higher than the top of the inner leaves. Care, by the by, should be taken not to bind the tops of the plants so that the central growth is stopped. It is best to cut or loosen the ties after the earthingup is finished. In a garden where the soil is clean and fairly free from insect pests, the celery so treated will come out clean; but in land where slugs abound it is a good plan to wrap brown paper round each plant beiVre filling up the soil.

FRUIT. The Gooseberry.—This is one of our most popular fruits, appreciated alike in the young state for tarts and stewing, and in the ripe state as dessert; it has also the merit of being easily grown. With regard to the quality oi the flavour of gooseberries, this does not depend entirely upon the variety, but very much on the position and locality in which the fruit is grown. Ihe gooseberry is a native of Great Britain, and succeeds better in the northern parts of that country than it does in the southern parts. This should be borne in mind by those about to plant, especially in warm localities. The fruit will not succeed if planted in hot, dry positions—it docs not matter what the variety may be. The bushes should be planted in moderately cooi positions, where they are not exposed to the fierce heat of the midday sun and in deep, rather heavy soil, if possible. The ground should be deeply trenched and have a plentiful supply of manure or vegetable refuse worked in. A space of six feet between the plants, both in the rows tmd from row to row, will be necessary, for if the bushes grow as they should they will have none too much room. If planted as single cordons against a wall or fence or trellis set them one foot apart; if 'double, two feet apart; if triple or quadruple, three or four feet should bo allowed. The pruning of gooseberries is a simple matter; keep the bushes thin and open by shortening all side shoots to about live leaves about the middle of November. In young trees allow the extension shoots or leaders to remain full length, but in old trees shorten them to. say, seven leaves if weak ; leave full length or only remove the tips if strong. Summerpruned trees need little winter pruning ; very few of us now rely upon the spur pruning of all the young shoots. The main idea m pruning is to secure sufficient room for gathering the berries. If the hand can pass fairly freely to the centre of the bush we may be confident that ample light and air will find a way to every part. Branches which almost touch the ground should be removed, leaders out back any desired length, and side shoots shortened or cut out if too thickly placed. The varieties of gooseberries are numerous, and many of the liost flavoured are amongst the smaller sorts. Good dessert kinds are red, white, and yellow champagnes, Lanley Beauty, Longlov Gnge, Keen's Seedling, "Whitesmith, and Golden Drop. The large berried (Lancashire) sorts are good to gather green for cooking and bottling. Telegraph, Thumper, London (the largest of all\ King of Trumps. Gunner. Ostrich, Leader, and Trumpeter, are all good.

' FLOWERS. Lilies.—These generally give the best flowers when they are planted in some position which affords some shade during the hottest part of the day, and where the soil has a fair amount of humus and sand in its composition. When planting place some sand under each bulb. Base rooting sorts should be planted about four inches deep and six inches apart. Stem-rooting sorts, like auratum. ,should be set six inches deep. " A little sand can be put round each bulb after the latter has been placed in position. If there is the least sign of disease showing, the bulbs can be well dusted with sulphur Lily-of-the-Valley.—To prevent them becoming weak through overcrowding the crowns need* lifting every two or three years. As the flowers are usually not so fine the first year after replanting it is better to deal with one half of the bed in one season. To get good results the ground must be thoroughly prepared by manuring and trenching. One of the best manures is leaf soil. The crowns should be carefully divided, and re-planted a few inches apart, and slightlv covered with fine soil.

Leaf-Mould.—All those who havo had to do with pot plants know the value of leafmould, but we often think that it is not appreciated as it ought to be by the flower gardener. It is true that as a manure it is not highly valuable, though it is n<£ to be despised. There is, perhaps, nothing else which gives the same proportion of humus to the Koil, and linmns. of course, is one of the most valuable things we can add to the soil. Therefore, if any readers have collected—and are collecting—the fallen leaves from under the trees in their gardens, and placed them in a heap, we should advise them to follow this by further attention during the winter. If the leaves were placed in a pit, dug out of the soil, so much the better, for they will be kept intact. The whole of the leaves should be turned over, shaking them well out. and turning the outsido leaves into the middle of the heap. If the leaves are dry, they can be well watered, and so encourage decay. Turned over several times this way, and kept | in a compact heap, the leaves will not