GARDENING NOTES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 57, 8 March 1913, Page 12

GARDENING NOTES.

(By "ExnerienoK."*

THE FLOWER GARDEN. It is reasonable to assume that the dry season is past. As March has come in with rain, it is very improbable that we shall have an extehdod period of drought after this. A troublesome season ia the general verdict on that now passihg—Vetter thtin the previous one ih some respects, but far from ideal. But after all, when we examihe the matter, it is usually found that the trouble 1 could have been avoided. When ah extra nbuhdunt rainfall Bpoils the soil for working purposes for ahy long period, it is a sure sign that something is wrong; it may be the soil, but it is far more likely to bo want of drainage. When the subsoil is of such _ a character that water is unable to sink readily through it, the water accumulates if there is heavy or continued raihfall until the soil becomes full and air is excluded. In such conditions the water disappears very slowly, partly by slow sinkage and partly by ovaporatioh; the soil gradually becomes more congealed, exclusion of air drives the particles together till they become a solid mass. If they ate broken up they get back to the same cohditioh, particularly if plants are put ih so that the soil cannot be_ well worked. In summer timo this condition culminates in a shrinkage, resulting in solid masses intersected with cracks. The only effectual romedy is drainage, which will prevent accumulation of water, prevent evaporation to any great extent, and allow air to permeate the soil. Tho time is no\v arriving to attend to these matters, which are of far more importance than is often reaUsed. Tho making of a drain is a thing easily done wrong. The bottom of a drain should be made as harrow as possible. If pipes are used, they should ]Ust fit the bottom ; if tools are not available that will enable this to be dohe. Lower one side of the bottom so that water will run to that side, and lay the pipes there. But it is useless to lay pipes unless means are taken to load the water to them. If covered with the soil excavated the water 1 will soon close it up. The pipes may be covered with scrub— manuka tea-tree is as good as anything. The scrub should be laid all Ohe Way, the butt ends looking down the drain, being covered with the brush ends of each succeeding bundle. This will leave hothihg but the brush visible, and that will prevent the soil from getting among the butts or reaching the pipes. After a time the soil will become more or less set, and it will not clog the drains even when the lighter parts of the scrub have decayed. »This kind of drain is not adapted to lawns, for there is sure to be a sihking in for several years. Some imperishable material is preferable for lawns, ao that the level will not bo disturbed. In the vicinity of towns, foundry clinkers ahd ashes aro usually obtainable; they aro the best material of all for the purpose^ Cldan metal or hard rock is also suitable; rotten ruck is quite useless, as the gritty particles would be washed in and close the dr«ih. Drains may bo, ahd are, made without pipes at all, using either scrub or clean, hard metal, but obviously the pipes are safest and most permanent. Where soil is bad, no opportunity to improve it should be lost. Clay soil may be improved to a very great .extent by draining; this alone, by allowing the atmosphere proper play, will effect wonders. Road sand, of any sand, old manure, ashes from rubbish fires, aro all good, but boct of all materials is turf from an old pasture ; this, cut about two inches thiok, ' and stacked till the grass is dead, will " improve afiy ] Boil and add largely to its fertility. Seasonable Work.— -Though the season for plahting bulbs for spring flowering commenced long ago, yet I do not think that many people take iit in hand seriously until autumn rains make the soil more kindly to work than it usually is> during dry weather. Thero is in most caseß no harm done by the delay, prQvided plans were laid in accordance. Some of the earlier bulbs are already up ; some, though not showing above ground, will hot be long before they do ; and utheris, though they v> ill not be j visible for a long time, _ will be active as regards roots._ To disturb any such now is necessarily attended with some irisk ; still, it may be wise to do it, or »t may perhaps be imperative. In such cases they should hot be exposed to the air for even a few moments, or the roots would perish. Got the new site ready beforehand, and plant immediately. Most bulbs that were lifted at the proper <.imo and stored ih a proper place will »till be dormant. Now, however, it is time to get them in tho ground. Some of the narcissi will be showing through very shortly, and nearly all are active if left in the ground, a sure indication ihat they should bo planted ns soon as possible. Freesias, which are such deservedly popular flowers, should bo got in at once. These bulbs are moßt satisfactory when *planted in masses ; it may be either in beds or broad bands.. A mass makes a better show than small clumps hero and there, and affords a better opportunity for 'special treatment. Freesias o,ro quite easy to grow, bburt r they are worth a little extra troublo if they can be covered with about two inches of light uompost, made up of old cow manure, good fibry loam, and a little sand ; they will pay for' ft in extra length of truss and quality of bloom. This is a good time to sow hardy annuals in the open ground ; from now to the end of the month the soil is still warm, and the moisture necessary is usually present this month. Unless it be very dry, the seed may be sown at any time now. Such things as Linarias, Col- ! linsias, Gilliae, Candytufts, Love-in-fc-Miet, Chrysanthemum Segetum, Sweet Allysum, Clarkias, Virginian Stock, etc. Antir-, rhinums may be sown also for early summer flowering ; and in boxes any and ill of tho stocks except ten-Week, and biennials and perennials generally. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Thingß to Sow.— Endive, lettuce, turnip, radisli, onion for satading, carrot, silver beet, spinach. Endive beihg hardier than lettuce is better adapted to cold situations, It is similar to lettuce in appearance, and requires the same cultivation. It may be used in the same way, but it is usually covered with flower pots to blanch itj there is a bitter flavour present in it in * natural state, which is eliminated by blanching. Lettuce of tho small kinds, such as Tennis Ball and All the Year Round, are most suitable for winter use. Raised beds are an advantage- during wihter for such crops. These aro secured by throwing out trenches to form narrow pathways. Beds aro best about sft wide. These can be worked from tho pathways, and so the necessity for treading on the beds arc obviated, a. considerable advantage in winter time. The beßl flavoured carrots are very young ones. Those who prefer them to old for purposes other than flavouring floups, etc— the large ones are beet, for this --may sow seed now. Thero i* no other adyanlago in doing so if the older crop is in sufficient supply for requirement*. It is quito time now to get silver beet sown, and also spinach. Sow both in rows 12 inches apart, thin the* boot to 12 inches apart, and the spinnach to 9 inehft*. Oniona should be ripe by now. Storo in a dry airy place, first removing withered tops and loose, skin : a good circulation of air through them helps to keep them from growing. If they are stored on benches a bottom of wire netting will be better I than boards. Tomntops.— -As fruit is gathered it is a good plan, to cut away the folinge by [ degrees. The foliage is only useful whilo ! it is nt or beyond, n cluster of fruit; whpti th^ fruit against b lnnf ha<s been gathered, ihora is no lotigcr any use for that leaf, and it. should be cut off, thereby admitting n v freer circulation of air through the plant. Ilei-I* may bo dried for winter u«?. In this country there is Jitile new! for this in a general way, ns most of them are evergreen in the open gn-rden. Mint is the exceptioh; this may be cut and tied in bunches, hang the bunches up in an airy shed to dry, put a sheet of paper over each to catch dust. When dry the mint may, if desired, be reduced to a powder by placing tho bunch pa in nn oven for a _ short lime. The leaves become crisp ih the oven, and can then be reduced to powder by rubbing through a MBve. Store in tins or paper bags. This is very useful for flavouring coups, etc.