TIMELY TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 191, 10 May 1941, Page 14

TIMELY TOPICS

Notes, News And Views

Boronia megastigma: 'The popular sweet-scented flowers of this shrub are always in keen demand in spring. Plants are now making their appearance in nurserymen’s shops and can be planted any time during the next three months. Remember that the boronia requires slightly acid conditions, and do not plant it in soil that has been limed.

Save the Leaves: Now that most decisions trees are shedding their leaves, every effort should be made to collect them for conversion into leafniould. Stack them in an odd corner of the garden, and sprinkle each layer with a little sulphate of ammonia. Turn the heap at intervals of three weeks and you'll have leafniould for use in spring.

Fresh Cow Manure: A correspondent asks what he should do with fresh cow manure. Fresh animal manure of any kind should not be applied to the garden. It can be stacked and turned periodically, when it mellows sufficiently to be of use in about six months, or it can he mixed with the other ingredients in a compost heap when it becomes useable in three months.

Soil Pests in New Ground: Many gardeners are now breaking in new ground for the growing of vegetables, and inquiries received suggest that considerable apprehension exists as to the danger of grassgrubs, wireworms, leatherjackets, etc., which are present in most plots that have been covered in grass or weeds. When such plots are roughly dug the birds make a harvest and do very good work in cleansing the soil. Later, when the soil is broken up, horticultural napthalene should be raked in (2oz. sq. yd.). It sets up a gas which does much to rid the plot of soil pests. Soil is suitable for sowing or planting three weeks after treatment.

Pot-bound Shrubs: Investigations recently carried out in England have shown that when pot-hound shrubs are planted, the roots often continue to grow in the cramped, circular method necessitated by their earlier environment, and in consequence never develop into vigorous, healthy plants. Therefore, never buy shrubs in |x>ts if they appear to be oversized. The smaller specimens will give better results. When planting a pot-bound subject, carefully open out its roots and spread them in the way they should develop.

..Snapdragons. — Mass the seedlings in any way that pleases you. Only in close formation are the plants seen *it their best. Select colours that can be used indoors. Mixed “snaps” are of little use at. any time. Seedlings are now making their appearance in nurserymen’s shops.

Canterbury Bells.— -If your Canterbury bells are of normal size and you lime them now, they will all give a conspicuously fine show of flowers this year. Use ordinary freshly-slaked lime and sprinkle it on the surface of the bed or border at the rate of {lb- to the square yard. Afterward stir it in 3 inches deep with a Dutch hoe.

Herbaceous Borders. — 'When rearranging new borders, remember that roots without foliage look small now, but when in leaf will take up at least twice Hie amount of space they now occupy; therefore, give them plenty of room Cor growth.