IN THE GARDEN.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20028, 9 September 1930, Page 6

IN THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. (SFZCIIZ.LV WJUTTM TOB THI PBBSS.) [By J. T Suicxais.] ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. A.SI.D. —K, as you say, your tenancy may be of short duration, it is hardly worth while planting anything of a permanent nature. Any favourite annuals should do with 8 little preparation of the soil. Collect any available decaying leaves, woodnshes, sand, etc., and dig in, being careful not to bring any clay to the surfuce. Afterwards give a dross'.ng of slaked lime, enough to make the ground look white, fork over lightly before cowing seeds. Cyclamen and greenliouno plants are not suitable for your purpose, although the plants, when grown, are useful for the honsn. VEGETABLES. Sow tomatoes in heat for planting outside. Young plants of lettuce, cabbage, and cauliflower that were sown a month since will soon be ready for pricking off. Do not neglect this when they are ready as it is important to keep them growing. Just grow enough plants for requirements, as those sown outside will be quickly on their heels. Miss no chances of getting necessary crops in when the weather and ground are suitable, as rain may come at any time, making it impossibjo to get on with this work. Materials foi a second hotbed should be obtained and prepared by frequont turnings. When this bed is ready it will be found useful for growing the different varieties of bedding plants, striking cuttings, etc., also tor growing on the seedlings of begonias, stieptOLarpi, etc. If melons and cucumbers aro grown, it will be advisable to plant out the young plants of these, at present in the bed that was first made, into tho fresh bed, sowing another batch at tho same time. These when ready can be planted in the first made bed, as by that time the weather should be much warmer, and as the beat in this bed will be somewhat on the decline, the extra heat from the sun to be looked for will help considerably to keep up a growing temperature. Leeks should be sown to provido plants for planting out later on. Any rhubarb roots to be planted should be got in at once. Asparagus m;iy be sown now. 'f a new bed is to be made, and the instructions given some time sinco were followed, the plants con be put in any time now when the ground is in order. FLOWERS. Chrysanthemums of the early flowering varieties that were wintered in boxes should, when proporly hardened off, bo planted out into their permanent quarters. Tho cuttings that were taken off theso plants some time since will soon bo rooted, when they may be planted into boxes for a time, grown on and finallv planted out whercvor wanted. Plants of Lobelia Cardinalis that were wintered in boxes along with the chrysanthemums should be divided now and planted again in boxes of sandy soil for a time, and when wellrooted they may be planted out in a situation inclined to tho damp side. A few bulbs of gladiolus, both Prininlenus and the large flowered varieties, may be planted for a few early flowers, gloating either in clumps or rows, as desired. Where new beds of carnations are to be made, and the necessary nlante have been wintered in frames, these may now be planted out. If the site intended for the young plants was well manured and dug some time since, it would be well to give a dressing of lime before troading and raking down Pinks of the Allwoodi typo, also Mrs Linkins. etc., that were rooted last autumn, should also bo planted out. Viola cuttings that were rooted last autumn may be planted out now, these being useful plants for edging rose beds, etc., as. they do not unduly rob the roses. Mako an effort to finish dividing arid replanting all • herbaceous plants requiring this nttontion. Run the hoe through all beds of spring flowers to keep down weeds and encourage free growth of the plants A few shrubs and plants that need attention at the present time in the way of pruning—Frythrirm Cristagaili—can be cut rieht back to within an eye or two of the old wood. If it i 3 desired to increase this plant, cuttings of the voung wood should be token off with a heel of the old wood attached. When about three inches long, out into small nots of sandv soil and place in the hotbed until rooted. Aloysia Citridora (lemon-scented verbena) may lie cut back now. cutting just enough to keep the bush in nice shape. Garrva Elliptica and Chitnonanthus fraerans are each about over and oan be cnt slightly to keep in shape, Tho lions' tail (Leonotis Leonurus), unless in a fairly sheltered place, gets cut by the frost rather badly. However, if this happens, it can be cut well back now. It will goon grow again once tho warm weathor comes. Lawns should bo rolled now and again to keep down worm cnstß, and give attention to mowing when required. At tho present time a dressing of sulphate of ammonia will help to destroy weeds and moss and incidentally will help to strengthen tn<* grass. Use about ono lb to every twentv-five yaids. Dress iq dry weather. Gladioli—For a summer autumn disnlav in the garden. Cm gladiolus makes one of the most gorgeous pictures in the flower garden. It would be very poor soil indeed that would not grow this plant, but of course, like most other plants, it responds to good treatment. The bulbs are, or should be, taken up in the autumn when the foliage ripens, and after drying off. can bo stored awav for the winter monthß. Ono need not worry about them, whatever the weather tray be Perhaps tho best soil would be a fairly deep sandy loam, well enriched with manure, but this should be added to the soil a considerable rime before the planting of the bulbs. These.can be planted from now on—just a few for an early supply of flowers at this time. Plant more in a fortnight or three weeks, and then at intervals of a few weoks up till December, if it is desired to have late flowers. Tbev can be planted in croups, or in rows, about sevon bulbs in a group Tho flower borders look well, and if planted in rows, theso may be in any open situation in the parden. Plant from four to six inches >n tleo'h. accord-1 ins to the size of the bulbs. Tf th? small bulbs, or "snnwr" of anv vnrjpties were saved with tho obipct of inTenoin" tb<* sfco«k. p an be sown in flr'lU thinlv IPff ve«etablo ne"R and bv the end of tho will novo made attire pond bulbs, and quite likelv some will flower. GREENHOUSE AND FRAMES. Attend to prickinc off of all halfhardy annuals, as they become larc<» enough; also sow more if wanted. Young stock of bedding geraniums can be taken out of their cutting boxes and given more room and better soil in other boxes. Use plenty of flakey leaf mould, if possible, mixed with the soil. Keep close in frames until the plants have got hold of fresh soil when more air may be admitted. Tho old plants of geraniums! that were cut back and boxed off Unit May should he well broken into rrrowth now. Water may be given to them from now on. They can be given other boxes if there

is room, but this is not absolutely necessary with old nlants. Shrubby calceolarias, if growing well, should have the tips of thoir snoots pinched out. to encourage a bushy growth Sweet peas, growing in pots or boxes, must bo attended to, as to staking and tying. Draw off the sashes oo all fine days. Young seedlings that were sown a month since should be about an inch high now. Keep the soil stirred about them. If a later lot is desired, they can bo sown direct into their flowering quarters. All pang or boxes of such plants as Marguerite daisies heliotrope, etc.. that were struck in the autumn, should be given a shift into other boxes, and given sH.erbt warmth for a time. Preparations should be made for tlw re-pottinc of all ereenhouse plants renuirini? this attention This work can be done as opportunity offers. Chrysanthemums. striking in the cutting frame should be examined periodically. and all that are rooted should be removed into anothpr frame and given more air eventually placing them into cold frame. Cuttings can still be put ip if tho required number has not been secured. Pot off those that are rooted. As hyacinths daffodils, etc., finish flowering in the areenhouse, cut off dead flowers, and if the pots are wanted the plants may be planted back in the borders forthwith. Thoir removal will make room for other plants which want more space. When well rooted give the remaining plants of Rrhizanthus at present in threeinch pots a shift into six-inch ones, and any of the more forward nlants. in five and six-inch nots can. if laree specimens are desir.ed. he <nvep n c hift into seven and ones Tbe~e olantn will he makinor pood prnwth now, and ttakiner =V»o"ld lie attenr'f" 1 to as the? gnrv. Thin hambooe or the nrun'nes saved from nltim end near trees are suitable. were stored for thp winter should be oleanpd and olaced on a layer of jpafsand. in boxes. pWing theso in the hot-bad to start them into growth.