GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 11 April 1925, Page 11

GARDENING NOTES.

(By Waratah.)

FLOWER GARDEN

Ferns.—Large numbers of ferns are hi ought ffolii the bush every year by people who admire them and would like to have them growing in the garden. but in maiiy eases they do notthrive, either because they are removed at the wrohg season, or'the soil is not suitable for successful growth, or the position in which they are planted is too exposed to sun and wind. The majority of ferns will only thrive in shade, need plenty Of moisture, and must have shelter from wind. The natural home of most ferns is in the depths of woods or bush, where a cool and damp atmosphere exists, and wind and sun cannot penetrate. There are only a lew ferns which will grow in a dry soil or exposed position. The proper time to obtain ferns from the bush is at the end of autumn or the beginning of winter. They should he taken up with as much soil as possible, or if it is not possible to get soil with them the roots should be packed in damp moss until the ferns can he re-planted. Great care should be taken not to deistrov the down at the ends of the roots, as this draws, up the moisture from the soil, and the plants will perish without it. The best soil in which to plant bush ferns is the mould formed by decayed tree stumps, and some of this should be brought home with the ferns. When planting, the ferns should be re-planted in exactly the same manner as they were growing in the hush. For example, a fern with a rhizomous root which creeps on the surface amongst moss or dead leaves, must not he placed under the soil, hut pegged on the surface and lightly covered with leafmould. Ferns which are found growing oir the trunks of trees, or among moss will not thrive 'if transplanted into soil. Ferns should be watered with clean water —if possible, with -rain water. The water should he the same temperature as the atmosphere at the time of watering, and_ when watering the foliage to clear it from dust use as fine a rose as possible on the watering can, or spray with a fine spray. Ferns artificially grown are subject to attack by scale. The bestremedy for this is to spray the plants

with a solution of solt soap, using two) ounces to each gallon of water. Slugs,' woodlice and beetles are also trouble-; some, and must He trapped or caught at night by artificial light. : An effective fernery may be con-) structed at small expense by securing, closely-packed manuka scrub, or similar; material, to a wooden framework. The) scrub on the roof should be left suffl-; ciently open to. admit a reasonable.; amount of light. It should be situated-; in a position sheltered from prevailing. winds. The soil should be composedchiefly of leaf-mould and finely-chopped moss in equal quantities, and a small) quantity of sand- No manure: of. any kind, whether animal or artificial,; should he mixed with the soil, as it) would be injurious instead of beneficial. When planting ferns brought from the hush, some of the -outer fronds should be cut off to enable the plants to recover more quickly from the check sustained by removal. 7 Sow sweet peas. Sow hardy annuals and perennials. Plant nemesia, auriculas, primroses, polyanthus for winter and spring flowering. . . Plant all varieties of spring-flowering-bulbs.

Remove weeds from lawns and so'w lawn grass seeds on the bare patches. VEGETABLE GARDEN. Dig all vacant spaces not required. ; for use in winter, and sow some green crop such as oats or mustard to dig in; later on as green manure, which willprovide humus for future crops. Earth up celery and leeks where necessary. Sow broad beans, carrots (Early Horn, or Nantes), cabbage, cauliflower, endive, lettuce, onions, parsley, radish,;; silver beet, turnips, spinach. The soil on which seeds ’are to he sown at this season should be raised _a few inches above the ordinary level in beds four feet in width. This method enables the necessary attention to the: crops to be done without treading on the beds, and the soil is warmer by being better drained. •' - - :