THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 19924, 21 July 1928, Page 19

THE GARDEN

WOT® pon TfflS WBBK. *

SEASONABLE WORK , THE VEGETABLE GARDEN All arrears in the work of digging, trenching, and manuring should be got off hand as speedily as possible, more particularly whore' now ground has to be broken up. First-class vegetables cannot be got fro?* ground c!4g immediately before planting, especially where root crops aro ooncorncd. With regard to sowing and planting, much depends upon the ground, locality, and situation. Where the situation is a warm one, early potatoes may be planted, and garden peas of the early dwarf kinds may bo got in with advantage. But other seed sowing must bo done with caution.

not be delayed too long and the plants rushed in at the last moment. Provided tho ground conditions are favourable, the plants cannot bo got in too soon. Late planting does not give the plants a fair chance to give good returns in bloom in the first season. All climbing roses, including ramblers and pillar roses, should bo pruned at once. Where rose beds are still to be made to receive plants let there bo no delay in preparing them, for it is important that the ground should have two or throe weeks in which bo settle before planting is done. ANSWERS “S.W.” wishes to know which is tho best hedge to grow,for shelter facing south out of olearia, holly, escallonia, or privet. Provided tho ground is well prepared, giving the trench a liberal dressing of well-rotted manure, I should certainly say holly; otherwise it is slow. But once you, have got it up it is practically everlasting, and does not require nearly, so much clipping. I should place olearia next, but it must bo also well treated; otherwise it is very subject to die out in patches or become affected with gall midge. I have lost a deal of faith in the olearia for those reasons. Tho other two are not tho best for shelter purposes, although, good for hedges where they are kept clipped and low set. “Strawberry.”—You have time to plant strawberries yet, but the sooner you get them in the better chance you will have of a fair crop of fruit this season, but not so good as if you had planted in late autumn. The ground should bo made rich to produce a good and liberal supply of fruit. They will be better in the second and third season. Royal Sovereign, Lnxton’s Noble, Melba and Ettesburgh are well known and good reliable kinds. “ Raspberry ” asks if the young canes planted this season should be cut back. Yes, they wilt break stronger if they are cat back to about 12in from tbe ground the year of planting, after which a few taken from the tops will suffice. H.O. PREPARING ONION BEDS There can be no doubt that tho best onions grow in the best onion bods. And the best onion beds are those made up early. Having decided to start on yours, trench tho area,where tho bulbs are to be grown. If it is heavy, add to it road grit, well-decayed leaves, sand, op burnt earth to lighten it. After the site has been well dug over, scatter lime on top. A month later fork the ground over to, ono spit in depth. This mixes the lime with the sou. Another month after that dig fresh manure into the upper spit. Rotted manure, when added in winter, loses a great deal of its soluble plant food; fresh manure has to undergo a long process of decay,, and its plant foods only become available in quantity at about the time when the onions are to bo planted out. Let the bed lie like this until August or September, a month or so before planting out, when further notes will be given on the planting and after treatment of these useful kitchen garden occupants. APPLE DELICIOUS FRUIT FROM HEW ZEALAND “FINEST EVER TASTED.” Mr J. R. Graham, of Redwood’s Valley, received from Scotland the appended clipping from ‘ Gardening Illustrated,’ which will be read with interest by local fruit exporters (says the Nelson ‘Mail’). It was written by John Malcolm, of Dunbar, to the garden paper mentioned:—* “ For a good many years I have been of tho opinion that this was a very much over-rated sort, and could never understand how it was placed on the same level of Cox’s Orange Pippin, and in America as tho favourite. In my business I purchased lots again and again, but got so disgusted with it that I resolved never to have it within the premises again. What has been wrong P The juice and sweetness were there, but the texture was very tough. Well, this has now all been changed, and in a most unexpected way. and, as it is interesting, I give tho readers of ‘ Gardening Illustrated ’ the details. “ Seeing in a trade list the other day New Zealand Cox’s Orange Pippin offered, I wrote for a, few cases, but the wholesale people did not consider these in good enough condition to send roc, «o took upon themselves to forward the variety I am writing about, Delicious. It was with fear and trembling I opened them, but what a quick transformation took place,, when one was sampled. It was delicious, and one of the finest apples I have tasted. “In considering the matter, how is it that all the years I have handled this variety, every time, it fell in estimation when the fruit came from British Columbia?' One, thing only ocerrrs to me, and that is, the fruit is i pulled too soon; and yet how is it, when I was in a nursing home in February, .a friend brought me a. few of the best apples to be had in Edinburgh. Delicious was tho name. T smiled when I thanked my friend. Yes, they wore as of yore. When I took ono tho texture was very tough that it was not enjoyed, so that these must have been gathered late, or perhaps they came out of a. cold store. What is to account for the poor texture, one naturally asks, from British Columbia? Wo have now to thank our New Zealanders for showing how to market this grand variety. They were perfectly packet!, in perfect,condition, and deserve tho highest praise. “ What a contrast from a case, of Australian apples as regards packing. There were 141 b damaged, unsaleable, in a 401 b case. Tin’s speaks for itself Australia is far behind here, and will require to pull up. “ It is to bo hoped this note will catch the eye of the Fruit, Commissioners concerned, and that in future wo shall see tho-desired improvement. ROSE STIMULAHTS One of the best and most readily prepared of liquid manures is made by suspending a sack, of horse manure with an equal quantity of soot in a tank of rain water, leaving it there for a week, The resulting liquid may then be applied to tho trees. Frekuent doses of a weak solution are far better and safer than occasional applications of stronger stuff, so that for the first few weeks the concentrated solution should be diluted with plaiu water as drawn off. Liquid manuring should uever be continued late into tho season, for it naturally produces somewhat sappy growth, and it is necessary for the shoots to be hard and firm before winter. No manure will bo needed after the second crop of roses begins to show colour in tho bud state. Tho surface soil of the bods needs merely to be kept lighty forked.

Rhubarb should be planted as soon as possible in deeply dug or trenched and well manured ground. Asparagus beds , should bo got, in readiness for planting. The best time for planting these is immediately after severe frosts are past. Plant 12in apart in tho row, and 15in from row to row, with the crowns Jin under the surface. Plant cabbages and cauliflowers on well prepared ground. THE FRUIT GARDEN Continue the work of pruning until a successful conclusion is arrived at, after which rake up and burn all clippings, and then proceed with the winter spraying. On no condition should spraying take place before pruning and a thorough clearing up and burning have boon accomplished. SPRAYING. However small a garden may bo, tme is sure to be troubled more or less with some of the numerous pests affecting fruit trees. When left unmolested they will quickly rum choice trees or plants. From now until the buds begin to burst in early spring is ilio time for winter spraying. This is the best for tho reason that stronger measures can bo taken to dispose or those pests than at any other period. Certainly there are posts that have to bo dealt with in the summer months, such as apple scab, black spot on both apples and pears, mildew, etc.; but .1 am touching only on winter spraying in tho meantime for scaly blight., Iho worst of these unquestionably w Sim dose, or oyster scale. I think there is no question that where trees are affected badly with these there u no better remedy than tho old limo, sulphur, and salt mixtures. Bad cases require strong measures to be taken.. No doubt tho trouble ,of making it is a drawback, but it is worth while. To prepare this mixture take 51)1 b of best uuslaked lime, Power of sulphur TOOlb, and water to make 55 gallons Pub ten gallons of water into a large iron boiler, bring it to tho boil, then add 101 b of tho slaked lime, and next tho sulphur. This is best mixed into a thick paste with hot water before putting into the boiler. When all is m boil lor thirty or forty minutes, till tho liquid becomes a blood or deep bronze colour. Thoroughly stir and add sufficient water to make fifty-five gallons, then add 101 b of salt, and bring the whole to a vigorous boil for about fifty minutes. Then strain off,, and k?cp ip in a barrel. If the barrel m not quite full pour in a small quantity of kcresene to prevent a crust forming. Tho liquid may be drawn off aa required, adding one part liquid to twelve parts of water for a winter spray, or one part of the liquid to thirty parts of water for a summer spray. Copper boilers must not be used, and auto should bo taken not to stir an the luSe or sediment when drawing off for use, or it may get into tho nozzle of the small quantities are required it need not be pub into barrels, but used ri"hb away. Care must be taken tf add the proper amount of water--hob water preferred, as it is more effective when used hot. This lime, sulphur, and salt wash may This lime sulphur and salt wash may bo made successfully in kerosene tins, whore there are only a few trees or a small fruit garden. Take 7p powdered sulphur, 7lib salt, and twenty "aliens of water. First bod one gallon of water, adding the sulphur and half tho Umo, after being slaked, and half the salt. Boil this, ns with the large lot from forty to fifty minutes. Xhen have a large tub and mix the whole of the remaining lime, and salt, stirrin" briskly and adding the, extra amount of boiling water required to make twenty-five gallons. Then lot it settle, and strain and use as required. q'his is for a winter wash only. In tho case of rod spider and red brobia, very troublesome pests which attack the foliage of applo trees in summer, and also for apple scab and black spot and other fungoid diseases, for a summer spray it must bo diluted to one part or the mixture to twenty of water. Bo careful to spray all over the tree, well into every part. , . Woolly aphis fAmerican blight) is destroyed by spraying with caustic alkali. Dissolve separately 11b of ground caustic soda and lib of crude potash, pour both into ten gallons of water, add lib of treacle, and stir well. When using this put on old clothes and gloves, ns it is of a burning nature. It is very effective and good for destroying mossy growth on trees, also red spider, scale, eggs of moths, etc. There are other good winter sprays, such as red oil, Mon tank scalicide, Bordeaux mixture, and others. Those should ho used ns directed on tins or packets. THE ROSE GARDEN Continue the work of planting. Should the ground be wet and sticky defer planting until the soil becomes more workable. But this work should

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HERBACEOUS PLANTS Many people become discouraged in the use of herbaceous perennials because, in their experience, the plants gradually diminish in size and vigour after a few years. It is a common experience to sea dwarf, stunted cannas, michaclmas daisies or delphiniums in gardens. Ino reason for the pour growth may hs in poverty of soil, hut is more likely to lie in neglect ol the requirement of the plant. Little attention is required during spring,, summer, and autumn, but in winter it is essential that herbaceous plants should _ bo divided and planted into a fresh piece of soil. Ihe move may only ho one or _ two feet away from tho original position, but it suffices to give the plant a fresh supply of soil, and may be responsible for more than double tho height m growth and floriferousness. The rearrangement of the plants should bo carefully considered, taking into account the height of the plants and colour of tho flowers. Gannas, rudbeckais, and heleniums (sunflowers) may bo grown at the back, and require ample room—24-30in between tho plants—if they are to develop fully. When lifting and dividing old plants the clump should be broken up, and the younger, more robust outer portions used, discarding the wornont centres. To break large clumps insert two forks back to back in the centre of the plant, when, by pulling tho bandies together the _ portions will bo levered apart, and suitable-sized pieces can bo selected for replanting. The use of the vigorous young outer shoota only for replanting applies particularly to chrysanthemums, rudbeoktas, heleniums, and michaelmaa daisies, and not to delphiniums or gypsophila, When replanting make a slightly saucer-shaped depression in tho sod, about lin beloy the level of the surrounding soil, and plant the divided portions. The slightly lower planting will help to check tho tendency of the roots of all herbaceous perennials to push upwards. BARDENS OF THE EAST Excepting the Garden of Eden, tho most interesting gardens depicted in the Old Testament are indisputably those made by King Solomon- it is not surprising to find that this monarch had every known typo of Eastern garden, and no doubt so great a flower lover collected rarities from all parts of the known world. Wo have the king’s own word for it that ho “rejoiced'’ in the labour of making Jus gardens and orchards (Eccles H., 4. 6,6, 10). “Awake, 0 north wind; and oomo thou south; blow upon my garden, that tho spices thereof may flow out ” (Cant. IV., 16). If the ‘Song of Songs ’ is tho most beautiful and mystic garden lyric, it is above all the lyric of tho scented garden. The garden lovers of tho ancient East dolighted in fragrance, whereas wo look mostly for colour and form. Much of tho old fragrance of flowers has been lost, and with it one of the most exquisite pleasures of a a garden. For the sense of smell is tho most imaginative of the senses. It is rciparkablo how much value, is attachc&'jforoughout the Bible to fragrance,' and it is noteworthy that the nearest apjiroach to our generic word “ flower ” is the Hebrew bosom, which means “ scented plants," “ Blessed bo Jehovah, who gives us all things good, even pleasant smells for our noses.” The ‘ Song of Songs ’ is full of the honeyed sweetness of richly scented plants, tho most poetic, perhaps, being tho reference to the exquisite scent of newly-opened vine-blossoms (Cant. H„ 13). Wo find that Solomon’s herb garden was a typical herb garden—that is, a garden consisting chiefly of sweet-soon ted shrubs—“camphire with spikoheard, spikenard and tho saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with a,ll the chief spices." It is quite possible that Solomon prow all these, for in common with the luxury-loving monarchs of Babylonia, Persia, and Egypt, he doubtless sought far and wide for costly perfumes and scented plants. , , , Camphire (Lawsonia alba) is the henna of tho Arabs, a beautiful flowering shrub with fragrant white flowers. To this day tho street sellers in Cairo cry “0 henna, henna, fragrance of the fifth paradise I”—Elea nour Sinclair Rohde, in ‘Garden Craft in the Bible, and Other Essays.’ COMBATING ONION MILDEW Onion mildew is a visitation that is always likely _to occur wherever tho onion is cultivated, and, by damaging the foliage, hinder the proper swelling of the bulbs and their full development (writes Mr H. L. Griffiths F.8.H.5., in the Hawke’s Bay ‘ Tribune ’). The first indication of trouble is a whitish mould that spreads over the leaves, which soon assume a purplish hue. When tho weather is dull and clamp, it spreads with groat rapidity, a curious feature being that the earlier the plants are attacked tho greater the damage that is inflicted. Many good methods are open to us by which tho mildew can bo combated, but tho success rests upon tho disease being noted and dealt with at an early date. Dusting the plants, while still wot with dew, with a mixLuro of lime and sulphur (one part of lime to two of sulphur, by weight) is. good, while Burgundy or Bordeaux mixture is also effective when used as a line spray. If tho lime and, sulphur bo chosen, the most effectual and economical method of distribution is by means of proper hollows; hut failing these, a fine flour dredger may bo made to take their place. FLOWER POTS, MEW AND OLD Flower pots vary iu size from 2iu to 22in in diameter, and in depth from 2iu to IBin. Convenient sizes for the small greeuhouso are 3Jin in diameter, known as 60’s in tho trade; din in diameter, known as 48’s; 7in iu diameter, known as 28’s; and 10in in dia- ; meter, known as 12’s.Of course, there are sizes in between these. Now pots should always be soaked iu water and then allowed to dry before use, otherwise tho roots cljng to tlje sides, and cause trouble when it is desired to knock tho plant out of the pot. > Old-pots can be used again and again, but they must bo washed and dried each time before use. .itroken pots should »e kept in a box for use a,s_ draining crocks. They arc ideal for this purpose because of their concave shape. Drainage is simple, effected by placing a large piece of crock, concave side downwards, over the hole, a number of smaller pieces being placed over , this..