IN THE GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21746, 31 March 1936, Page 5

IN THE GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK

(IPICIALLT >rtITTM 10* ISM »ISS.)

IBy W. J. HUMM.I

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS Geraldine.—Unless you have a-vey special strain of verbenas discard them, and raise young plants each season from seed. In some localities verbenas may flower quite satisfactorily the second year. Usually, however, these plants are treated as annuals. Extra-fine varieties may be propagated by taking cuttings in the autumn. Clifton.—Your begonias are affected with a disease known as begonia mite. This is a very troublesome pest and one which is very difficult to get rid of. Give the plants several dippings in a preparation made up cl cosan colloidal sulphur and Black Leaf 40. To three gallons of water add loz of cosan and three teaspoons of Black Leaf. Give the plants several dippings at intervals of a week. Wet the benches and around the walls of the house with water containing Restar fluid. This will get rid of the woodlice. Dip the cinerarias and cyclamen in water containing arsenate of lead; use the arsenate at the rate of two teaspoons to the gallon of water. Arsenate powder mixed with bran will also' destroy woodlice.

VEGETABLES

Where the soil is of a warm nature a sowing of lettuce may be put in to stand through the winter. Make the last sowing of spinach fcr the season now. Use the pricklyseeded kind; it produces large leaves and does not run ,to seed as quickly as other varieties. Earth up celery as it becomes fit, but before doing so spray the plants with lime sulphur, using one-third of a pint to four gallons of water. This) will prevent rust from making its appearance. Continue to give liquid manure at intervals. Lift and store potatoes as they mature. If the skins peel off easily when rubbed with the thumb, the tubers are not yet fit for storing, and should be left in the ground until the skin hardens. . Tomatoes should be gathered as soon as they begin to colour. Dig over as deeply as possible all vacant plots and leave the surface in a rough state, so that the air and light may penetrate and sweeten it. Where defective drainage is apparent make provision to have the ground thoroughly drained. First-rate vegetables are not the product of waterlogged soil. Give the recently-sown crops all the assistance possible to develop quickly by thinning them as soon as the plants are large enough. Hoe the soil frequently. Soil aeration does much to keep the young plants thriving. In a frame or sheltered position sow cabbage and cauliflower seeds, after dusting the soil with lime at the rate of four ounces to the square yard. Continue to plant cabbage and cauliflower plants to stand through the winter. . Rake up and burn all tops and skins from the onion bed. Firm the soil about the cabbage and cauliflower plants; they will do no good in loose soil. Hot water and soap sprayed over the cabbages will destroy the grubs of the diamond-back moth and white butterfly. Do not use the water hotter than one can bear the hand in. . Store ripe marrows and pumpkins. They will soon damage if subjected to hard frosts.

FLOWERS

The general work in this department consists of keeping the borders and beds tidy. Weeds are most prolific this season, and unless they are spaded under when quite young will be very difficult to destroy. Leaves are beginning to fall; these must be collected at intervals, or the appearance of the garden will soon be spoilt. ■ , ... j, 11 Push on with the planting of all spring bulbs. They must be given time to make root growth before winter sets in. As soon as the foliage of the gla° 10 » shows signs of yellow, the plants should be lifted. Plant out paeony roses, bearded irises, gypsophylla, and .Christmas roses. They are all lime lovers. Continue to plant anemones and ranunculus. The soil now is in a splendid condition for planting primroses and polyanthus. Few plants can equal these for giving a spring effect Remember that leaf mould and well-decayed manure suit them best. Manure containing lime should not be used. . Continue to sow hardy annuals in the open borders. Plant out Brompton stocks, also hollyhocks, aquilegias, sweet-williams, forget-me-not, and pyrethrums. Violets do well if planted now.

FRUIT

Apples and pears must be picked as soon as they become ripe. Many people are puzzled to know when the fruit is fit to be gathered. They are fit to pick when the kernels or pips have turned brown, or when on lifting the fruit from a vertical to a horizontal position it readily parts from the shoot Never attempt to gather fruit which has to be pulled or twisted off. Fruit should never be gathered when in a wet condition. A dry, sunny day should always be chosen to carry out this work. .

The sooner strawberries are planted 1 out the better. They must be given time to get a root hold before winter sets in. , Nectarine Goldmine is one of the most reliable sorts to grow. The tree is hardy, very healthy, and most prolific, and does well in most localities in this country. Good, late, freestone, preserving peaches are not too plentiful. Muir and-Salway are two of the most reliable. Marie Louise and Louis Bon of Jersey are two trustworthy pears ripening in March. Coe's Golden Drop is one of the best late fruiting yellow plums. It is a full-sized fruit, and possesses a good flavour. The tree is a good grower and can be depended on to produce a prolific crop each year. THE GLASSHOUSE During cold and windy weather do not be too free with the ventilation. Close the house earlier, now that the nights are getting colder. Glass-house subjects require a warmer atmosphere at night than that which usually prevails at this time of the year. Close the house early and retain as much sun neat as possible. Watering, too, must receive consideration; much harm I can be done by keeping plants constantly wet. A little and often at this season of the year is much better than large doses. Pelargoniums and geraniums should not be watered over the foliage. When this is done the foliage is liable to mildew.

Primulas, too, resent being showered overhead; water the plants individually.

Cyclamen need frequent attention now. They should be kept thriving by syringing the foliage often. The plants should be never allowed to get dry at the roots. An occasional dose of liquid manure will work wonders on plants which ar<; growing freely. Cinerarias should be carefully watched. There are many leaf-eating grubs about at present. Dip the plants in water containing arsenate of lead and black leaf 40; two teaspoonsful of arsenate and one of black leaf to each gallon of water will rid the plant of disease.

It is time now to get the chrysanthemums, which were grown to produce large blooms, under cover. High winds and frosts are liable to damage the plants. Before taking the plants inside, see that all shading is removed from the glass. Do not overcrowd the plants. The leaves must have air and light, or they will not function as they should do, and, consequently, the blooms are bound to suffer. As the soil will not get so dry as when in the open, the greatest care should be observed when watering. Examine each plant thoroughly, and make sure that the roots need water, before giving any. Avoid using strong stimulants. Dust the foliage with sulphur to prevent mildew, and should aphis appear, fumigate the house.

SALVIAS

The perennial salvias are worthy garden plants, and at present many of fhem are making a bright display. They require no special cultivation and will flower to perfection each year with little attention, provided a sunny position is given them. S. Grahami and splendens are two good red flowering kinds. S. Bethellii is bright pink, and S. Patens has bright blue flowers. Kniphofia Saundersii is in full bloom at present. It is an extra tall growing species, with large, orange-col-oured flowers, and well worth a place in the perennial border.

SHRUBS

A distinctive evergreen berry shrub in full glory at present is stranvaesia davidiana. This shrub should be better known. It is hardy, has a striking appearance, and will thrive well in most gardens. The leaves are four inches long and many of them have turned a bright red colour. These and its bright-red berries make the shrub very effective.