GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2741, 8 April 1916, Page 15

GARDEN NOTES

[By "Kowhai:"!

"A.P.G.," llataitai, writes: "Would yon through your garden, notes be kind enough to give me jIII particulars of iiow to preparo tho ground for a lawn, and tell me whether manure is required, and what seed to sow, and when?" Autumn is the best tiino for sowing laivn-seed, but, unless the ground has already been under cultivation,'the sowing drad better be deferred till (jarly in the spring. The ground must bo thoroughly dug to a depth of eighteen inches. Remove daring the process the roots of all weeds, and any stones that may be in the soil. Leave the ground rough for a time, and then rake it level and roll it. By digging the soil and allowing it to lie fallow, weed seeds will have a chance to germinate, and may be hoed down as fast us they appear. Should there bo any hollows on tho surface, (ill tbem in and again rake and roll. Continue doing this until you have a perfectly level surface. Animal manure must on no account be useil, as it invariably brings weeds, and a good lawn must not havo weeds in it. Soot or bonedust may be raked into the surface of the soil. Seed merchants have lawn seed ready mixed. Buy tho best mixture that is to be had. Sow the seed broadcast on a calm day, and sow it thick. The thicker the mat of grass roots below tho surface soil the less chance there is for weeds to find roothold. Rake tho seed in and again roll the'-surface. Have the ground well dug and sweetened sevoral weeks before sowing lawn seed. If tho ground has been used to raise a crop of potatoes or any other vegetable recently, 50 preparation is needed beyond raking, levelling, and rolling, and seed may be got in without delay. Quantity of seed required will be about lib. to tho rod.

EARLY-FLOWERING GLADIOLI. The rush-like leaves of tho earliest flowering gladiolus, Gladiolus Tristis, are just beginning to push, through the surface of the soil. A light sprinkling of bonedust in among the green shoots will bo a help to tho corms at this period. Keep the clumps nell weeded, arid do not allow tho conns to . suffer from drought now that growth has commenced. 'The'-.Gladiolus Tristis is one that overy gardener should have. Not only is it valuable as an early spring flower, but also, the spikes of bloom are so beautiful dud so sweet-scented that it at once be. comes popular with, all who see it. Those who wish, to plant it this year should get the oorms- in without delay. The next jfladioliis to flower is the "Bride," with its dainty spikes of pure white flowers. This gladiolus belongs to the Colvillci group. The flowers of this group are smaller than ttoose of the summer and autumn flowering kinds, but they_ are ex. I ceedingly'dainty, very free-Mowering, an<l splendid.-for cutting. •Following the Bride" comes the "Blushing Bride," white, with a delicate pink plusk Scarcely have the flowers of the "Blushing Bride" begun to fade when the last 'of the- early-flowering gladioli open their buds, and the garden is gay for weeks with th'eir pink, salmon, scarlet, and dark red flowers. Among the best of this group are:—Alexis, terracotta ; Byzantinus, rosy claret; Colvillel Cardinalis, bright 6carlet; Cupid, flesh pink, with a rose blotch; Insignis, light carmine red; Ramosus, salmon-rose, flaked crimson. Gladioli will grow well in any good garden soil, provided it is well dug and well drained, but in a light sandy soil to which somo wollyotted and sifted cow-manure has been' added they will fairly excel themselves. The early-flower-ing gladioli need not be lifted every year, but they should be lifted every third year, ' because, so quickly do they Increase, that by that time the clumps are fairly crowded. The baby corms should not be planted back with the fully-de. velopo.d ones, but' shou'lu be planted apart in cluinps by themselves. HYACINTHS. The hyacinth is perhaps the most fragrant and mojt beautiful of all the early spring bulbous flowers. It is a pity that! it, cannot be more generally grown, as the cultivation is so simple, and the natural increase fairly quick! It is, I think, tho initial cost of bulbs in New Zealand that keeps many people from growing this delightful flower. But, if only two bulbs of one variety are bought each autumn, it is surprising how quickly one acquires a nice collection of hyacinths. As soon as the two bulbs havo increased to three or four, amatenr gardeners ay spare one bulb for raising Mlblets. This is a most .interesting experiment for those who can spare the time, and is down in the following way:— i Chooso one of the largest bulbs, while it is at rest, and-make four cuts across the bottom after the style of the spokes of a wheel. Next place the bulb on a shelf in .a warm kitchen or a sunny window until it is absolutely dry and roasted; Soon little bulblets will begin to form all along the cuts, and the bulb should be replanted and left till the fol. lowing summer.'- Tho little bulbs may then be taken off, and dried. At planting time they may be planted in the same way as the large bulbs, but care must be taken to. give them plenty of room to grow. Many of them will flower at the end of three years. When planting hyacinths remember that they are particularly fond of cow manure. Indeed, to obtain fine heads of flowers on long stems, cow manure must be mixed with the soil in the hyacinth bed. Spread a layer of river or silver "sand for thj.bulbs to rest on, and have them about five inches below the. surface of the soil. After planting, spread a layer (about 11 inches thick) of sifted cow manure over the ground. • CAMELLIAS. Camelli-as should be planted early in the autumn to allow tlie. roots to become established while the soil is still' waijui. Camellias ..grow easily out of doors, but, where heavy frosts art> experienced they should }>e planted beneath tlie shade of trees, or where they can be sheltered from the frost. Mark out a good space for each tree, and 1 remove the top soil. Thoroughly break up the snl>soil, mixing with it well-rotted manure, and decayed vegetable rubbish. Replace, the top soil and mix with it decayed vegetable rubbish. ' Spread out the roots and cover them firmly with fine soil. Topdress the soil with well-rotted manure, and water the tres occasionally till it is established. The young tree i 6 especially susceptible to frost, and should 1 have a piece of yrira thrown over it on very frosty nights. VEGETABLES. In mijny gardens marrow plants are looking very unhappy as the result of the long drought,, and exceptionally hot summer. But now that the earth is again damp, we can help them considerably by pegging down the worn-out looking vines. Kemove a. little, of the old soil, wherever the vines are to .be pegged, and fill in with fonie well-rotted manure and .good loam mixed. Peg the vine into this, and put a little heap of the mixture on top of the vine. Now give the plants a pood soaking with, sun-warmed water, followed .by Some weak liquid manure (loz. nitrate of soda in 1 gallon water). Repeat the watoring in four or five' (lays, provided the weather has been fine' ii)' the meantime. New growth -will commence very quickly, and there is a chance of having several tender ybung marrows before frosts cut tlie' vines. Should there be a hint of frost in the air, throw some pieces of scrim over the vines. Thin out seedling turnips to six inches apart, and sprinkle prime well-ripened soot along .the rows. Hoc this in first tiling in -the morning. . Thin out-seedling silver beet to one foot apart.' Keen cabbages, lettuces, etc., well hoed and .free, from caterpillars.. Pinch out all' side growths 'from tomato nlants, : and cut off at once any suckers that appear. Peed the plants regularly with weak liquid manure, and pick tho fruit as soon.as it begins to ripen. j , Garden' notes next 'week will contain reasonable notes, about spring flowering plants, strawberries, and vegetables;