ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 95, 23 April 1931, Page 19

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"jlllas G.O."—Tho present Is a good time to sow grass seed. The soil still retains a fair amount of warmth, and seed soon germinates. To get rid of the weeds sprinkle sulphate of ammonia at ihe rato of 6oz to the squaro yard over the lawn in the spring. A dressing of basic slag and lime may be given before sowing the seed. "An Amateur."—You can get rid of the daisies by sprinkling them with lawn sand or sulphate of ammonia, which is much the same, lobelias are usually best treated aa annuals, and, raised from seed each year. You may cut the old plants back now, and If they are covered lightly with some leaf soil or strawy manure they should survive the winter and come away again in tho spring. It is probable that, at least, some of Hie plants will die, but, the majority should survive. They- may be propagated wlicn they start into frcsli growth by means of cuttings of the young Kruwtlis taken oil in the same way as is done with imnsies and violas. The cuttings, howevur, are very tiny,- and require careful handling. They are bettor pricked Into boxes of very line soil which shoulil be kept under cover until tho new routs arc formed and growth commences. "Eehlum."—-Your queries will be dealt v' in next week's article

The value of deeply working the >■■ is not fully realised by most gardeners and year by year the various plants— flower and vegetable—have to find their support in the top spit of earth. The deeper the ground is worked the better the results from tho various . crops. Even such surface rooting plants as grass will do better in ground which has been worked to a good depth. The advantages are manifold. In the first place it allows the roots to penetrate more easily, thus giving them a wider field in which to gather food. Soil which is deoply dug does not dry out so rapidly as shallow soil, and plants are not so. liable to suffer a check from want of moisture. "Further, a soil which has been broken up allows of free aeration which is required for the welfare of tho soil bacteria which are so necessary to the growth of plants.

The autumn is the season to carry out the work of trenching. In most eases all that is required is to loosen or dig over the two spits deep keeping tho surface soil on the top. After breaking up the second spit, as much* garden rubbish as it is possiblo to tramp into the trench should be spread over the top and then the surface soil be placed on top of that. By the spring tho garden" rubbish will havo rotted and formed humus. This work should be done every two or three years, but ovon if done only at much longer periods the results more than repay tho labour expended. It is hard and slow work, so each year an endeavour should bo made to do one or two plots.

Por burying in tho trenches any old vegetable matter may be used—weeds, grass, and even soft hedge, clippings, and these may either be worked into tho lower spit or placed on the dug soil of it and tramped down. It is not advisable to use anything which may prove troublesome, and such things as couch grass, sorrel, or docks should bo avoided. The only safe way to deal with them is to burn them. .

It should bo borne in mind that nowly trenched soil will be considerably higher than the surrounding surface, but it will settle down with the winter rains and as the rubbish rots the level comes back approximately to normal. TEEES AND SHRUBS. Positions for planting shrubs and trees should be Chosen, and the ground prepared while conditions are favourable. Especial care should be taken to see that the drainage is adequate, as no plant can flourish if its roots are in stagnant water. Once planted such I subjects are destined to remain in the I

name spot for many years, hence tho need oil a proper preparation of tho site. Holes at least tlirco feet square should be dug to a depth of two feet with tho subsoil below that loosened up, and plenty of manure or decayed vegetable matter worked- into tho lower spits. Fresh animal manure should not bo allowed to como into contact with the roots.

Evergreens such as rhododendrons,; . heaths, azaleas, daphnes, camellias, etc., move well now provided water is available in caso of a dry spell. The ball of soil round tho roots should not bo broken as the fmo fibrous roots arc liable to be damaged. They may bo planted with the scrim still in place— it will soon rot when placed in the soil. Bhododendroms, azaleas, heaths, and ' all peat-loving plants detest lime, which is a poison to them, so caro must bo taken in choosing and preparing the sites for these. SOME GOOD OLIMBERS. There are many . climbing plants which are worthy of attention, and, as in the majority of cases, they are easy to grow, they are admirably suited for covering fences, sheds, or pergolas. Honeysuckles, of which there are several varieties, aro always worth growing for their delightful scent. They are rather prone to become infested with aphis, but spraying tho plants with black leaf 40 a couplo of times in the spring will generally clear them of these pests. Wistaria, with its racemes of pretty white or blue flowers—cither single or double —is. always a joy during- the spring, the plants' being covered with a wealth of blossom. It is easy to grow fml admirably suited for pergolas or ■ — 'ing fences. The blooms are pend- ■ and tho summer foliage a beauti..roen. ignonias may bo obtained in many ..idiirs, and are splendid climbers, but :ut, all varieties are suitable for this district as the climate is somewhat severe except in very ■warm sheltered situations. Another climber of great _ beauty, having racemes of pure white waxy flowers which are delightfully perfumed is tho Mandevillea. This plant should be put into a position sheltered from winds as the waxy flowers are very easily blemished. Several of the Kennedyas aro worth growing, their trusses of small pear-shaped flowers being boi'ne in profusion over a long period. For covering old unsightly sheds or fences the best of all is perhaps Solanuni jasininoides, as it is very rapid ill growth and becomes quite dense in a very short time. Each year it is covered with trusses of white flowers which resemble jassiniine—hence the name.

Tacsonia yon Vloxcmii is the name of the red passion flower, a climber eminently suited for growing over a pergola. The beautiful red, star-shaped flowers are borne on thin wiry stems of a foot or moro in length, and theso hang down.from the top of the pergola, making a wonderful picture. For making a ' vivid splash of colour in warm localities nothing can beat the Bougainvillea. Care must be taken, however, in the choice of plants to associate with it as the purple colour is rather hard and clashes with most others.