TIMELY TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 8, 4 October 1941, Page 14

TIMELY TOPICS

Notes, News And Views Slugs are particularly troublesome at present, and many methods have been devised for dealing with them. Many seedsmen prepare a combination of meta and bran, which is generally sold under the name of Meta-bran. I have found it very effective, as it attracts the slugs and then kills them. *' * * Seedlings of the famous Bussell lupins are now available, and can be planted as soon as soil conditions permit. These colourful perennials are excellent subjects for the back of a border or for filling in odd corners. They make a perfect background to bearded iris. * * ♦ Armeria, or Thrift, is a compact grower, but if it is starved the results are poor. There is still time to make a replant of this, but if you have no time now, replant in March. ♦ * ♦ Aubrietia makes a capital edging, of course, but is often allowed to become too straggly. Cut it back to within six inches of the heart of the plant after blooming. ♦ ♦ ' ♦ Heuchera is now widely used for edgings, especially in -tlie herbaceous border. Many dead leaves are still attaching themselves to old plants. Cut these off close to the stem. * * * The greatest disservice you can render verbenas is to plant them too deeply; the roots should be only just covered with soil. Planting completed, the growths of the taller-growing varieties should be pegged down. . ♦ ♦ ♦ Before setting any plants in a new concrete pool, pour in sufficient strong permanganate of potash, solution to tint the water pink. Leave for ten days, then empty the pool an’d refill with fresh water.