GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 15 May 1925, Page 6

GARDENING NOTES.

By “War at ah

PLANTING FRUIT TREES

Fruit trees can, be planted from the middle of May until September with every prospect of success. The exact date when planting; should be done will depend on the weather awl the situation where the trees are to be ol anted.. If the soil is in a suit able condition for planting, the trees shbiil'd be put in as soon ah they can be obtained after the leaves are shed, unless the situation is very wet in winter, when planting is best delayed until the end of August. An aspect, with full exposure to the .sun is necessary to. obtain good results. In small gardens the question of shelter does not present much difficulty, as buildings, fences, etc.,- usually afford sufficient shelter for dwarf trees, but when large .areas are planted ample shelter is riecessarv' to protect the trees from Wind and the effects of frost, Mhere shelter belts are in existence, the fruit trees should be planted so that the shelter trees will not shade them or robi them of fobd and moisture Small olots should he trenched to a depth ol two- feet over the whole area to be planted, unless they have been under cultivation for some time. Trenching for large .areas is too expensive, but the soil can be effectively broken up with the .plough. If the soil has not been prepared, a large hole for each tree should he dug at_least four feet across, and after the top spit has been removed, the bottom should he broken up. a.s deeply ins possible, and then made firm by treading. The addition of manure to the soil is' not necessary unless the soil, is- very poor 11 used it must be in a \yoll-roi,ted condition ; if manure i« added to good soil the growth of the young trees will he' excessive and soft, which is not conducive, to fruit-bearing. The trees can he manured when they are carrying ci-opsi by ani application to the -surface. soil of suitable artificial manure or a mulch of animal manure. hand that, has been duly prepared will only need marking out. where the trees are to be. planted, and holes sufficiently laroe toi acomiiioclate. the roots taken out to. receive them. Those holes need not he more than nine inches deep, but the depth, should he governed by the cleptli at which the trees have been previously planted, which, is indicated by the soil mark on the. .stem, Ihe hole should always be larger than the -spread of the roots, so that, they may be spread out to- their lull extent. None should be crossed over or bent, round, but should radiate from, the centre. Nothing is more fatal to. success than, cramming the roots anyhow into small holes. 'Examine the rootbefore planting arid out clean away a.nv tap roots, without fibres. Any other damaged roots should be cut back to sound tissue. Always cut from the underside in an upward anti outward direction. The soil should be broken: up fine: before being scattered oter the roote, and should be thrown on the roots the way they are running, not against them, as this has a tendency to double the roots back, to ensure the .spaces under the roots- bein* filled With soil, the tree should be o-ently shaken up and down while the process of filling in the soil is going on, the soil being finally tramped to make it firm. Planting -.should never be done- when the soil, is. in a party or sticky condition. If the soil is not m a suitable condition, for planting when the trees ,-arrive, dig a, trench large enough to. put the roots of the trees in and cover them with loose soil. If the trees have travelled a. long way and the roots, are dry, drench them thoroughly with water before planting or heeling in. but do- not stand them in water. - The method of digging holes and'

planting trees in land- that, has not been cultivated, is a bad one, as the holes usually become water-logged and the roots decay, causing the tree to die. If for any reason fruit trees have to- he planted in this way, the untilled portion, should be trenched or ploughed a.s .soon a.s possible after planting the trees. The choice of varieties of fruit trees to plant depends upon: the class of land -and , the locality. Many varieties which, -succeed in other part* of the Dominion are not. a success when planted in the soil of Taranaki, and the climatic conditions are not favourable to the successful cultivation of peaches and European plums. When | selecting varieties to plant- only those kinds’ which, have 'been proved to he suitable, to the climatic conditions and soil of Taranaki should he chosen, the following is ai list of varieties which have -been grown with success in this district.

Apples. —Adam’s Re arm a Jn, medium size dessert, late; Ballarat. Seedling, large cooking, late; Delicious., medium size, dessert, late, prolific; Gravenstein, large,, dessert, or cooking, early; Munroe’s Favourite, medium size, dessert, late; Runnette du Canada, large, cooking or dessert, late; Statesman, large,, cooking or dessert, late; Stunner Pippin, medium size, late, good keeper. Nectarines. —-’Goldmine, -large freestone, excellent flavour. • Peaches.—>Brigg’« Red May, medium size, early; Mayflower, very early, fruit, large, good flavour, clingstone; Hale’s Ela.rly, second early, large, freestone; Kalamazoo, large, good flavour, clingstone; Sail way, late, very hardy, good: for preserving. Pears. —William’s Boh Chretien, early, large, does not keep, good flavour; Winter Cole, late, good flavour; Winter Nells, late, good flavour. Japanese Plums.—Burbank, large, yellow flesh, good flavour, heavy cropper; Sultan, large, dark crimson, solid flesh, sweet, similar to Satsuma., but crops earlier and; heavier. Quince. —-Van Rieinan, good quality, preserves well. Demon. —Lisbon, very hardy variety, good keeper. •The distance apart to plant depends upon the class of tree planted, and the. method of pruning. For a small garden apple and pear trees or dwarf stocks may be planted as close as If) feet apart if necessary. Stone fruits such. :as peaches, and ph£m> require more room, and .should be planted at least Id feet apart. In large orchards where hoi.se labour is employed it- is necessary. to. plant apple and pear trees 18 I’cet apart and st-iioo fruits 24 feet.

Alter limit trees have been planted, it i.s necessary to, prune them in order to form a, strong framework, and ultimately a low vase-shaped tree. Two-year-old trees are usually planted and these should be. cut 'back to about the fourth, bucl from the ba.se of each shoot springing from the main stem, being .careful to cut off the shoot close above, a bud po-intiim in an outward dirotofcion.. Many failurcs occur, particularly in pcAeli and uectn.rine trees, through, not cutting the tops well back after planting. VEGETABLE G ARDEN Cut down, the foliage of asparagus as soon as it ha 3 turned yeUbfr. Re-

move all weeds from the bed and fork it over lightly, taking care not to damage the crowns. Do. not apply a mulch, of manure at this season of the year as- it keeps- the bed wet and cold during the winter months. Sow early dwarf peas in the most sunny and sheltered position available. Sow three inches deep in rows two feet apart. American Wonder. English Wonder. Little William Hurst are the most .suitable varieties to -sow now. Sow broad beans six inches apart and three inches- deep in single- rows, 2ft Gin apart. Double rows should be 3ft apart, with- the rows 6 inches apart and the seeds alternately Din. apart. Sow carrots- (Early Horn or Nantes), cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, mustard, cress, radishes,, spinach, and turnips. Sow on raised beds 4 feet wide in the mpst sheltered and sunniest part of the garden.