IN THE GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23191, 30 November 1940, Page 2

IN THE GARDEN

— ♦ — WORK FOR THE WEEK (BPXCULLT WRITTEN EOR THI PRESS.) IBy W. J. HUMMI THE GLASSHOUSE It is time now to prepare for next winter’s display of plants that will give brightness during the winter months. Cinerarias .and primula malacoides should be sown at once. Mignonette* if sown, should flower and give perfume in the house during winter. Many complain that their mignonette is weak and straggling, and the flowers have little scent when grown for winter effect. The reason can usually be traced to lack of lime in the soil, incorrect sowing, and overcrowding. Sow six or eight seeds in a six-inch pot filled with fine compost, to which some old mortar or oyster shell grit has been added. Just cover the seeds and shade from sun. When- germinated, give plenty of light and air. Keep cyclamen and primulas on the move. If these plants do not get the best attention during their growing period it is not possible for them to give their best when their flowering period arrives.

Geraniums for flowering inside during winter should be potted up now and stood outside in a sunny position. Pinch back any strong growths with the object of making the plant bushy. Keep all flowers from developing until the plants are taken inside next autumn. When mixing the compost for these use six parts of turfy loam broken into small pieces, two parts of well-decayed sifted manure, half part of coarse sand, and one 5-inch poi full of bone meal to every barrow full of the mixture. Make sure that the pots are thoroughly clean. Pelargoniums and geraniums have reached their flowering time. Give these plenty of room. Liquid manure made from superphosphate and soot is excellent for these plants. Maintain a moist atmosphere where fuchsias and begonias are growing. Shower them overhead occasionally during hot weather. Astilbes will be improved if, when they send up their flower spikes, they are given liquid manure. Pot on streptocarpus and gloxinias and give them a shaded position. Pot up a few marguerite carnations and grow them on during the summer months: these will bloom during winter. Add oyster shell grit to the compost. Keep the house clean and sanitary. Plants cannot thrive in dirty conditions, and remember that a dry, hot atmosphere is ’ often the cause for disease in plants. Damp down the paths and benches during hot weather; this will create good growing conditions. FLOWERS Plant dahlias, chrysanthemums, cosmeas. zinnias, salvias, french and african marigolds and nasturtiums. Korean chrysanthemums are splendid garden plants; they are most generous with their flowers. When used for inside decorations they are most effective. Daffodils do best when replanted every second year. This may be done as soon as the foliage dies away. It is not wise to transplant late; get them in early, and leave the job- to them. Top-dress peony roses as soon as they have finished flowering. This will help the plants to develop healthy flower buds, which will flower to perfection next season. Blood and bone manure used at the rate of 3oz to the square yard is helpful. Wallflowers should be sown now to make an effect next spring. Sow the seeds thinly in shallow boxes or in rows in the vegetable garden. As soon as the plants are large enough, transplant them in rows where they can be grown on until they are planted into their flowering quarters. Some of the best /kinds are Volcan ferimson). Giant Ruby (ruby red), Orange Bedder (blood red). Primrose Monarch. Giant Pink,; and Eastern Queen (apricot) Wallflowers are fond of lime.

VEGETABLES The cutting of asparagus should be discontinued. Give the beds a good dressing of well-decayed manure. This will keep the roots cool during hot weather, and also encourage top growth without which no plant will give its best next spring. Plant main crop potatoes and earth up those through the soil. Plant tomatoes in well-worked 'Soil to which lime has been added. . Keep up a succession of peas and beans by making sowings as soon as the last sowing is well through the soil. Sow seeds of cabbage and cauliflowers now. Plant cabbage, lettuce, and flower's.Make sowings of lettuce, onions, and radish for salad purposes. Plant out pumpkins, marrows, and cucumbers. Get trenches prepared for celery. Dig in plenty of well-decayed manure. Sow main crop beet and, yellowfleshed turnips. . Sow parsley now. This will come in for winter use. Sow maize in well-prepared soil. Prepare ground to receive leeks. This crop will thrive on a starvation diet. Dig in plenty of manure. Sow carrots for pulling when young. These will save the main crop from being disturbed. Plant brussels sprouts: allow not less than two feet each way; make the ground rich but firm. Sow kale, savoy, broccoli, and winter cabbage now to supply plants for winter and spring use. SHRUBS At present many of the philadelphus family are making their display. In this family are to be found many interesting and useful garden plants. The colours of their flowers are mostly confined to white, cream, lemon, and some have a purple blotch in the centre of each flower. The majority of them have sweetly-scented flowers. They are easy to manage, and when given a fair share of the sun never fail to give a good account of themselves. Any pruning may be done as soon as the flowers fade, or they may be thinned out in winter when spindly and useless growth can be out out. Philadelphus maculatus superba is quite distinct in growth and flower. The blooms are produced along the whole length of its arching branches. The flowers are lemon with a decided purple blotch in the centre. It is of medium growth, good-natured, and hardy.