IN THE GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22451, 12 July 1938, Page 4

IN THE GARDEN

WORK FOR THE WEEK (s?xcuxi,i waiTTHs fob the phess.) [J3y W J HUMMJ ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS Interested.—Any one of the following shrubs should be suitable for your purpose;—Ceanothus edwardsii, arbutus unedo, or escallonia sangleyensis. JRlccarton.—Stiff or heavy soils should be thrown Into ridges, leaving the spits unbroken. The hard frost will do more to bring the soil In a good tilth-than anything you might do. By leaving the surface rough, frost enters more deeply, and therefore acts on a greater bulk of soil. VEGETABLES At present operations in the vegetable department must be governed by the soil conditions and weather. In localities where heavy frosts are not experienced sowing and planting may be carried out If rain does not interrupt the work. Where the soil is heavy and severe frosts are certain, sowing and planting is best deferred until the end of the month. Keep off the ground when the surface is wet.

as more harm than good will result from working soil when it is wet and sticky. Where conditions are favourable plant shallots and garlic. A few early potatoes may be planted in localities free from frost, and in warm,, welldrained soils early peas and broad beans may be sown.. On no account sow seeds in wet, cold soil. Where the soil is workable rhubarb may be planted. Allow three feet each way for the plants. Rhubarb should be planted so that the top of the crown is about two inches below the surface. Press the soil firmly about the roots. Old, well decayed manure may be used, but do not use fresh stable manure. Rhubarb may be raised from seed. Most seedsmen stock several varieties. Where large quantities are required raising them from seed is quitg a good method of getting a supply of roots. The seeds resemble those of the common 'dock, and will germinate very readily when sown in shallow drills in the open ground in spring. Select a piece of ground that has been well worked and in good tilth. Sow the seeds the same way as when sowing parsnips. That is, either in groups of three along the drills, or thinly along a continuous row. When the seedlings appear and are large enough to handle, thin them out to about nine inches apart. In autumn, after, the leaves have died off, they can be planted in their permanent Quarters arid given the same space as mature roots. Potatoes for the early crop should be procured now. Buy only those that nave been certified by the Government to be free tram disease. ' Planting inferior and diseaseinfected sets always ends in failure. Jersey Bennes and Snowdrop kidney are reliable early kinds for medium soil. Black kidney and Robin Adair are excellent earlies for light soil, and Epicure and Catriona do best where the soil is heavy. Place the sets singly in shallow trays, and store

in a frostproof shed where they can get as much light as possible. This will induce the sets to sprout. When the frosts are over the sets will be ready to plant out. By planting sprouted sets the Crop matures much earlier than if the sets were unsprouted when planted. FLOWERS Continue to prune roses. There is nothing to gain by leaving roses unpruned until late spring. When the soil is workable proceed with the planting of all classes of ornamental and flowering shrubs and trees. All the types of roses may also be planted. On heavy ground it would be a waste of time to plant out seedlings such as antirrhinum, carnations, Iceland poppies, etc. The wet condition of the soil would cause the roots to rot Wait until the soil warms. The young plants will then get a grip of the soil quickly and go forward and be a success. Now is the time to discard any shrubs that have proved to be unsatisfactory and to replace them with better kinds. When planting new shrubs in borders that have been established for many years, remember that in most cases the soil is hungry and often rootrobbed. Do not expect the new shrub to make headway without giving it a little extra attention. Take out the exhausted soil when digging the holes and refill with sweet, fertile soil. The new plant will then have a better chance of getting established. ■ Flowering cherries are most popular with planters at present In many towns avenues of these are being planted. These plants have two periods of beauty. In spring they clothe themselves with brightly-col-oured flowers and in autumn their foliage assumes glorious autumn tints.

fecit Continue to plant all classes of fruit trees, currants, gooseberries, raspberries, and loganberries where the soil is workable, and remember that if the trees are planted too deeply they will not grow or produce-fruit to satisfaction. Spraying should be done now, but not when the trees are in a wet condition. It is also, wasteful and uncomfortable to spray when there, is a high wind. Bordeaux mixture is excellent for the control of such fungus diseases as brown rot leaf-curl, shothole fungus, and bladder plum disease. Do the spraying thoroughly. The whole tree from its base to the highest branch should be reached by the spray. If not the full value of time and material is not gained. SHRUBS Winter flowering plants always make an appeal to those who wish their gardens to be bright and interesting during the winter. Although most of the viburnums have their period of floral beauty in spring and through the summer Viburnum fragrans is the exception. At present this sweetlyscented shrub is making its floral display. In form and colour its flowers resemble those of Viburnum carlesii, the colour being white, shading to pink. Being leafless in winter it should be planted where it can get all the sun possible. It is seldom that this plant needs attention in pruning. Should it outgrow its position it may be pruned back as soon as the flowering .period Is ovea.