WORK IN THE GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 25782, 3 May 1946, Page 8

WORK IN THE GARDEN

THE ROSE GARDEN, Through' the excessive moisture experienced this past summer the roses have been a great success. The growth, and especially the colour, have never been better, and very few pests have troubled the plants, or, as some call them, bushes. It may be interesting to some cultivators of these popular flowers to give the definition of the rose. Is it a plant or a shrub, and can it be shown as a cut flower? Exhibition have been disqualified at shows when staging roses with ordinary cut flowers, as a clause reads roses are eligible as shrubs, but not as cut flowers. But thousands of acres of roses are grown in England and other parts of the world as cut flowers, and are staged extensively at all the leading shows with all varieties of cut flowers. The writer made inquiries, first of all, from the Dominion Horticultural Society, asking for the definition of the rose, and the answer was that it was a shrub. But with inquiries from the ißoyal Horticultural Society, London, the answer was that, although it was a shrub, it was eligible' as a cut flower and can be staged I with collections of all varieties of cut flowers. This should clear up 'any doubt concerning the eligibility of this popular flower being staged as a cut flower in the future shows. Those who intend to plant new and old varieties, which are such a success in these districts, should prepare the sites as soon as possible by digging well back and applying plenty of well-rotted animal manure, • or, if available, well-prepared compost from the compost heap. Roses are gross feeders, and it is a waste of time to plant them in poor soil. If the ground is heavy, of a clavey nature, so much the better, provided that the drainage is good. The drainage can be made secure by applying old mortar rubble or breeze. It is also essential that a good dressing of lime be worked into the surface prior to planting. Roses must have lime in some form or other to be a success. Where roses are making unbalanced wood, now is the time to lift them, and after pruning back the strong tap roots about halfway they can again be planted back: but before this work is carried out a good mixture of material containing animal manure and lime should be placed in the trench and made firm with the feet. It is also desirable to place a mulch of half-rotted material around all the rose plants. This will be found beneficial in protecting the surface roots from the hard frosts, and the winter rains will carry down the plant food to the young roots for building up next season’s blooms. It is advisable to order your roses at once, as there is bound to be a shortage this planting season. CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. On Wednesday and Thursday, May 8 and 9, the Dunedin Horticultural Society will hold its annual chrysanthemum show in the Pioneer Hall. This' show is considered by many garden enthusiasts to be the finest‘of the year, when the ever-popular chrysanthemums are on exhibition. Owing to their easy cultivation, nearly every garden has a collection of these flowers, and they are always staged in splendid condition at this show. The vegetable section is also a feature of this show, aiid, although the past season has been a wet one, vegetable crops on the whole have been a success, and the exhibits staged should be of a high standard. The decorative classes are always a feature, as there are plenty of coloured berries and foliage available at this season of the year. It is also interesting to notice that the judge for the floral and decorative work is Mr G. E. Knowles, of Timaru. This is the first time for many years that a gentleman has been appointed to carry out this work. This conforms with the practice carried out at all the leading shows in England, as men are trained in this particular work, especially as florists. There is no doubt that the executive expect good entries, as no fewer than seven judges have been appointed, as follows: —Mr J. Hollows, Palmerston North (Japanese); Mr D. B. Shand, Timaru (open singles; Mr S. Webb, Dunedin (amateur singles); Mr T. W. King, Dunedin (open vegetables) ; Mr J. Vickers, Dunedin (amateur vegetables) ; Mr W. Crawford, Dunedin (fruit) ; and Mr G. E. Knowles, Timaru (floral and decorative) . The New Zealand National Chrysanthemum Society will hold its first show in New Zealand. This newly-formed society is bound to be welcomed by all enthusiasts in the cultivation of this popular flower, as all newly-raised seedlings will be classified and registered in their proper sections. A very extensive prize list has been drawn up, which includes trophies and shields from many parts of the Dominion. Only members of the National Chrysanthemum Society are eligible to compete in these classes, but any person desirous of competing may qualify to do so by becoming a member of the society. . The membership is 10s 6d per annum, and the secretary is Mr A. Knapp, 16 Waterloo street, Dunedin, 5.2. The following trophies have been donated:—For the 12 Japanese (open), a perpetual challenge cup, by Mr J. Hollows. Palmerston North. For the 12 exhibition singles (open) , perpetual challenge cup, by Mr G. E. Knowles, Timaru. Six varieties of

decorative doubles, three blooms of each (open), a perpetual memorial shield, by Mr H. B. Shailer, Palmerston North. Six varieties of anemonecentred chrysanthemums, three of each (open), silver fruit bowl, to be won outright, by Mrs F. S. Perrett, Dunedin. Seedling chrysanthemums, open to all, three varieties seedling chrysanthemums, three of each, raised by exhibitor, trophy to be won outright, Mr W. G. Hilliker,: Dunedin. For the most outstanding variety which has been raised in New Zealand, one large exhibition Japanese, or three blooms of decorative doubles, or three blooms of exhibition singles, or three blooms of anemone-centred chrysanthemums, trophy (perpetual), by Mr G. H. Ellift’e, Dunedin. Three varieties of exhibition singles, raised by exhibitor, three blooms, trophy, to be won outright, Mr A. G. Rigby, Dunedin. Amateur Classes.—Nine varieties of Japanese, shield (perpetual), Mr J. Harvey. Dunedin. Nine varieties exhibition' singles, three blooms of each, silver cup, to be won apy three times, Mr Alex. Stewart, Dunedin. Three varieties aiiemone-centred chrysanthemums, three blooms of each, trophy, to be won outright, Mr S. Webb, Dunedin. The large number of trophies, cups, and shields, should draw large entries from all parts of the Dominion, and the executive is looking forward to the support of the public so as to lay a foundation for the carrying on of this important work throughout the Dominion. This show should be the finest for this particular • flower ever held in the Dominion. One grower has booked up 40ft of staging for his display, and exhibitors will be showing from many parts of the Dominion. F.S.P., N.D.H. (N.Z.)