WORK IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 24919, 17 July 1943, Page 3

WORK IN THE GARDEN

DEMONSTRATIONS. ..Last week's pruning demonstration was held in the beautiful garden of Miss Seaton, Portobello, before a very large and enthusiastic gathering, several persons being present from Dunedin. The 6ubject, 'The Pruning and Cultivation of Roses, Apples, and. Other Small Fruits,' by the ' Star's * gardening contributor, was followed with - keen interest. Questions were asked and answered. Many remarks were made on the beautiful o'rhamental irees _ and the •■ lovely gum trees,, which were in flower. •Mr W. Anderson (Broad Bay) moved a hearty vote of thanks to Miss Seaton for ■-:■■. the.; use of her garden, and Mr J.. S. Macartney moved the thanks of those present, to the demonstrator for his practical address and for providing an ■ interesting afternoon. ''.''' .„ Next week's pruning demonstration will / be held in the garden of Miss Braithwaite, Broad Bay, at 2.45 p.m. The subject will be.apples, apricots, ancl small fruits. The "bus which leaves the Queen's. Gardens at 2 p.m. will stop at the Broad Bay Social H»H, and the garden. is only two minutes from this stop. The return bus leaves at- 4.45 p.m. As this will be the only demonstration to be held in this district for the season, it is hoped to see a large , number of spectators present. All problems on the cultivation,, pruning, and deal- , ing with the various pests will be explained at these demonstrations. TREATMENT OF ESTABLISHED VINES. : v if. vines are not in a satisfactory con"diii'on,' the proper way is first -of . all to remove the surface soil until the roots are reached. Take notice t of their state when moving them. An unsatisfactory condition fatty'be due to many causes; but most probably it will bo due to a 100 rich but sour or.to the same not containing sufficient food; If dung is. used lavishly for several seasons without, lime the border is bound tobft in a sour condition, but,if very, little or: nothing has been applied, then it. is clear that the vines are starved. In this case no more durig will be required ; for a: season or two, but slaked lime should be applied at the rate of lib to the square yard.. If- no\ manure or fertilising material lias been applied for a season or so, it •will be in an impoverished condition; and plenty of well-rotted manure, or, better still, good compost from the compotet heap, should bo worked into the roots. Care - must be exercised not to"injure the roots in any. ■way.;..;■ . • • : .:..' ■.''■' ■■•• Vines which are in a fairly healthy condition .should, have, a light dressing as soon as-,-.the pruning and. cleaning have been carried, out. THE INFLUENCE OF A GOOD ROOT "••'"'■'. ''-' SYSTEM.;, _ All plants have only one' way of obtaining, water and soil food, and that is by the means of their r00t5..." As the larger roots;: are of very, little use for this pur tiose, it is important to have plenty of healthy; growing .roots of a fibrous nature ' so that growth and development: of the tops may not suffer for want of sufficient : moisture and nutriment. The whole,art ~ of ; s\iccessfur feeding is to use a soil mixture that will induce good root action,. and when, this is obtained feed, carefully ( giving only very small quantities at a time,.as the" plants require the food. It is found -in practice that soil ■of a hard .and gritty texture always induces the hest root ..development; and, again, soil containing, too inuch rich manure and an insufficient supply of lime- is . unsatisfactory. Natu--1 rally, plants differ very much in what kind of soil will suit them beet, but,, brpadly speaking, it is. much better to have the ■ soil on the poor 6ide rather than too rich, providing, of course, sufficient nutriment is applied. Compost is the most efficient filant food to apply, owing to its being ornied entirely from Nature's supplies.. No destroying acids are to be found in Nature's foods. ' - ■ '■ .' F.S,P.