GARDENING NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 45, 22 February 1908, Page 12

GARDENING NOTES.

FJBt Expebience.l THE FLOWER GARDEN.' Spring bulbs now demancl attention. Whether it be dividing and transplanting the home stock, or purchasing new, there should be no delay. The. prevailing dry weather will have ha 3 its effect in ripening off the bulbs, Bending them to rest in many cases before fhe usual time. The narcissi may be regarded as the most important class, and it should ba Temembercd that their true resting period is of very short" duration, some of them in a, natural state scarcely resting at all. Excepi in the case of a very few varieties, there is no difficulty in growing narcissi ; they succeed in almost any soil, provided it be fairly drained, and of a non-binding character. When preparing roil for them, it should be well trenched to about 2ft in depth, so that during heavy rainfalls tlie water will rapidly sink to below the bulbs, for it is fatal to the well-being of all bulbs to lie in water. The best soil for these bulb 3is maiden pastuie land, without tho addition of manure. The best way to improve old garden soil for them is by digging in a liberal quantity of good' libry turf ; a good dressing of Boot and a moderate supply of boncdust may also be added. When the soil is poor, stable or cow manure may be worked in, but it should be put down deep, so that the roots will not '•each it until some of the rankness has worked out and the bulbs are in strong growth. Stiff soil may be lightened by adding burnt earth, ashes from rubbish fires, sand, .and vegetable matter of all sorts, particularly by draining and working in quanfities of stablemanure or vegetable matter down below the first spit, where it will prevent water lying in the soil, aud at some futuro time may bo worked up nearer the surface. When tba soil is of an unkind nature, it iB advisable to cover the bulbs with prepared compest, comprising good loam, sand, leaf-mould, or very old manure and a, little bonedust; this- will always lie loose around them, a condition absolutely necessarj.. Freesias. — Iheso popular favourites arc best 'eft in the- ground, or if they must be lifted they should be replanted without delay. They like rich soil— that is, sojl well fortified with manure that is net too fresh, and always a warm position in free, well-drained soil. Anemones should be planted at once. They must on no account be planted deeply, their mode of growth precluding the possibility of their forcing their way up through a mass of soil, and the same thing suggests tho necessity for the soil above them being of a very free nature, so that the numetous steins may easily make their way through it. Old beds that aro to be left undisturbed should have the soil about them kept loose and free of weeds, so that wlien rain comes it may sink evenly through the soil. Dahlias will be having hard times in most cases during the prolonged drought, for they are essentially moisture-loving subjects. If they can be given a good soaking of water, followed by a good mulch of half-decayed mamrre, it will do far more good than constant waterings, especially as such are not likely to be sufficiently thorough. Carnations. — Care should be taken to prevent the soil cracking about the plants. If it shows signs of doing bo, top dress with light sandy soil ; in any case, it will be wise t) give a mulch of some kind, for, if the sun bakes the soil too much, there is danger of the plants collapsing from the loss of roots. The mulch, whether it be light soil or manure, will serve to keep the roots cool and plump. Layers do not usually require watering, but this season they will not be likely to make much progress unless they have assistance, and unless they root quickly all the advantago of layering Is lost. Pipings will root if placed in boxes of free soil surfaced with sand ; the boxes of cuttings may be stood under a shady wall, or preferably in a cold frame, where they must be shaded from the sun. If they can be placed on a mild hot-bed after a week or two, they will root quicker, and with greater certainty. Keep ah eye on azaleas and rhododendrons, or the best prized plants may be lost through the drought. If theloaves begin to turn brown it is a sign that they are.in'a bad way; the roots may wither, and then the plant will go One thorough watering, followed 'by a mulch, may navo them. It is easy to pour a lot of water around ths stems of such plants, and still not reach half the roots, for the ball of roots and soil is apt to get • cry solid, and they do not send their roots out far. Before watering draw a ridgo of soil up all round the plant, so as to form a basin ; this will confine the water, and causs it to sink down through the mass of roots. THE GREENHOUSE. Plants stood out in the open will demand a lot of attention In the way of watering. Such things as azaleas and .camellias will, if exposed to the sun, require more water than is good for them. Unless the pots are plunged, too, frequent watering impoverishes ths soil, and there is always the danger that they may be temporarily neglected. It will be wise, therefore, if it has not been already done-, to get the pots plunged, unlcs a shade house is available. Spent hops and tan refuse are both suitable as plunging material, or they may be plunged in the soil to just level with tho rim of the pot, see to stand them level for the purpose of watering. A good handful of soot placed in the bottom of the hole before putting the pot in will keep worms from entering th» pots. Pie-pot frcesias at once. If the bulbs are to be taken from other pots, tho bp-t way is to turn the soril in to a riddle •* the bulbs can then be easily picked out. Choose tho br-st bulbs for potting. The soil should be moderately rich, with plenty of sand to ensure porosity. After potting give a thorough watering through the rose of a watering pot. After that the pots should be in a darkened place till growth shows, the best place probably being a frame covered with sacks : or they may be plunged in thb ground and covered with soil, but I have not found them start so strongly in that way. The dry hot days will be a temptation to shado the house well, but be careful not to overdo it. Good shading should be of the lightest description possible ; all that is required is to prevent tho sun shining directly on tho plants, but taking full advantago of his light otherwise, so that the porfectness of tho -covering is of greater consequonco than its thickness. Avoid a dry, arid atmosphere, which is svro to be productive of tlirip, an in^tct easier kept out than ejected. Cinerarias should be encouraged to make free growth by keeping a cool, moist atmosphere about the- plants, which should be in frames in the coolest place available, consistent with plenty of light. These plants will not bear 1 straight sunshine, nor will they make plants if heavily shaded. Keep the soil in tho frames cool, with plenty of water. Shado just enough to keep the sun out, and remove it as soon as the sun is off 1 the lights; remove the lights also on ■ all favourable opportunities, such as ! cloudy dnys and evenings. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Sow a good bed of spinach as soon as posible, to staad for winter uso 4