RAPID GROWTH

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 130, 28 November 1929, Page 27

RAPID GROWTH

RESULT OF WEATHER

KEEPING BEDS MOIST

NOTICE TO READERS.

This column is intended principally for gardeners with small plots, and the aim Is to make It as practical and useful as possible. Inquiries on any matter of gardening Interest will be welcomed. The rulo for correspondence is that all communications must be accompanied by the namt > and address of the writer, not for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Thl» rule will be strictly adhered to. This is your column—make use of it ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. "Miss C.S."—-Tour ground requires thorough. digging:and manuring, and the more humus you can-get-into It the bettor it will be. All ground is liable to crust over after heavy rain, but clayey soil is worst. As soon after rain as possible—that is when the surface moisture has drained off —go ; - over it with a hoe, and loosen up the surface. , The presence of sorrel is an indication to some extent of sourness and poverty of soil. In the autumn givo a good dressing of lime. The poorness of the soil is also the reason that your Iceland popples are small. They will grow in any position, but flower best when in full sunshine. Daphne may bo raised from cuttings taken in midsummer. Short side shoots of the current season's growth are the pieces to strike. Insert them in boxes of sandy soil in a' frame with some bottom heat. The heat may be supplied by means of a heap of horso manure below the boxes.' The plants attain ■ flowering size in three years. Growth is very rapid at the present time, fine to the warm condition of the soil, and the comparative absence of high ■winds. So long as the soil can be kept moist this growth will continue, and the plants maintain their healthy condition. Watering has to be resorted to at intervals during the summer, but in gardens with good soil quite a lot of watering may be avoided with the consequent saving of valuable time. JFo conserve what moisture there is in the soil and check. too rapid evaporation the surface should be frequently stirred with the hoe or rake. The finer the surface soil can be made the better, as this forms a mulch. Mulching proper consists of spreading over the surface of the beds a layer of dead leaves, grass clippings, strawy manure, or similar substance—these preventing rapid evaporation by giving shade and checking the direct rays of the sun. She most effective method is by constantly using the hoe. Ground which yraa deeply dug.during the autumn, and .which contains a liberal supply of humus is less likely to dry out than jthat which was dug less deeply. The subject of watering was dealt last week, but I would emphasise the necessity of thoroughly watering •when that is necessary. It is far better to do the work systematically, one bed at a time, and give it a good soaking preferably in the late afternoon or evening, and then next day run the hoe through the ground to break up the surface. If you try to get over the whole garden at one time —if it is any size— the surface soil may look damp, but the moisture does not get to the roots of the_ plants, so the roots come up to the moisture on the surface, and are burnt up as' soon as the moisture evaporates, iwhich it very rapidly does at this time M year. ROSES AND CARNATIONS. j Roses have done remarkably well this i^ear, and are at their best just now. >The_ bushes should not be allowed to receive a check by getting too dry. loosen up the soil round them, and give each bush at least half a bucket of water once a week, followed by some liquid manure. If really fine glooms are desired, and the bushes are expected to go on blooming throughout ifche season, they must be fed, and it is ;well remembering that they are cross feeders.. Carnations are just commencing to come into bloom, and they also require attention at this time. To prevent the bloom from lying on the ground Bupports of some kind should be supplied. These may be either in the form of stakes and strings, circles of ■wire-netting, or some patent carnation support. The plants also require disbudding, all buds except one to each stalk should be removed. Care must he taken in the matter of feeding— over manuring causes more failures than anything. Do not allow the plants to:get too dry during flowering, and once a fortnight they may safely be given some liquid manure or soot.■water. At the first sign of mildew steps must be taken to check it, otherwise the flowers will be spoilt. Dusting the plants with flowers of sulphur ;while they are moist with dew, or after watering, will check the disease. As with all other plants, one of the most important things is to freely cultivate the ground, taking care, however, not to damage the roots of the plants in the operation. GARDEN REFUSE. At this season of the year most gardens are fully stocked, and it is not possible to dig in garden refuse which accumulates. If weeds, vegetable tops grass clippings, etc., are put into a neat heap in some out-of-the-way corner, adding a good dressing of lime as each layer of rubbish is put on, all these things will rot and form valuable humus which may be dug in in the autumn to the great enrichment of the Boil. There are, however, some things >vhich should not be put on such a heap Cabbage stumps, hedge clippings—except very soft growth—or anything with any sign of disease should be burnt, otherwise the disease may be spread to all parts of the garden. The spores of all fungoid diseases, such as mildew and rust, thrive in the warmth find moisture of a heap of decaying Vegetation, while insect pests also increase and multiply at au alarming rate

under similar conditions. For all refuso affected in any way the only safe method of disposal is by fire. SALVIAS. Among'the most brilliant of summer flowers are salvias, which thrivo best during a hot dry summer. There are quite a number and variety in this group of plants, some being annuals, somo bi-ennials, and some herbaeious perennials. The best-known and probably the most generally useful, is Salvia splendens (Monfire) the brilliant scarlet annual so invaluable for summer display. Salvia azurea is an herbaeious perennial 01 a pretty, pale blue, the blooms, although small individually, being produced on long sprays. Salvia patins, claimed to be the finest blue flower _ grown, is also an herbaeious perennial, throwing up new growth from the fleshy roots each summer, and when left undisturbed for a few years,_producing a" fine clump. All the varieties require sunny positions, and should be liberally supplied with water during dry spells. The present is a good time to plant salvias. ZINNIAS AND ASTERS. _ Zinnias, are invaluable for summer display in the garden and >re particularly valuable for dry situations. They will stand all the heat they can get. Zinnias have been greatly improved during recent years, and in a good mixture of seed most of'the old-fashioned crude colours have been eliminated. Although somewhat stifle, Zinnias are quite useful as cut flowers for house decoration, lasting well in f water. Asters are most useful for late summer and autumn blooms and are invaluable as cut flowers, lasting better than most. The wido range of colours and varieties add greatly to the usefulness of these plants. Good soil, frequent cultivation, and regular watering are necessary for the best results. The present is a suitable time to put out the plants, which are best puddled in if the soil is dry. SALPIOLOSSIS. This is_ another good summer flower which might with advantage be more widely grown. When well grown, few summer flowers can surpass them for brilliancy of colour and beauty of veining, each petal being delicately marked with golden veins. Plant in rich, well-drained soil in full sun, allowing one foot between the plants.