GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 27 July 1928, Page 7

GARDENING NOTES.

(By "Waratah.")

. RAISING SEEDS. lliero two Uuet" «j'iKlitioito; iieceisisy.ry 10/ eiuime 100 sueeessnu germination oi mam* or any Kinu—Uioat, moisture and i«*‘- Saeds 01 triii best quality ®metiiiit'is mu occanse ono or more oi' tiiene coucbtions aie absent, for instance, liij.ti. stem. ma y be, sown too deeply, and uiuiougu ii,i,e..e »»• s-uitnient neat. and ni./ist.ii'e in tne soil to promote gei'inimal.on, the depth ;it which they have been sown prove mis the lieeessiairy amount of air reaching them, and tnpy <;e, isu in toy proc.cs>- or {Termination, oil the oilier hand, i,t sown too, near the s,.r.aee in the summer, the seeds: may

germinate. but the Jittle plants wiil perisili because the loots. Ueeome dried •*1» bhe hieu.fc of the rays of the- sum. i lots time of the year tlie, most common cause of iailure te an excess of mo. fcure. \\ hen wet weather continues ior some time after an early .sowing lias been made, the seeds, usually decay because the excessive 'moisture lowers the temperature of the so if below what is necessary to cause genninhtion. ihe depth, at which seeds, tsihonikl b’ sown depends on the size of the seeds', the season, and the texture of the soil. Small seeds ■should only he lightly ~ e.c:l with soil; larger seeds', such' as teas' and beans, may be planted from • h.rc3i to four inches, deep. During the tot summer months ,6'eeds should be s ;,i'ii at a greater depth in fight soil's because the surface of light soils dry* more' quickly. In early spring .seed mowing should be done with, caution. It is: a , great jnist ike to sow seed's when the. soil is very wet and eokl; better results will be obtained bv waiting until the conditions are more favourable. It isi also necessary to bear in mind that a«’J seeds dio not glow with, equal strength. For instance. among vegetable seeds, onions, leeks, parsnip, and paisley airo naturally weak growers, and may fail under rond'tlono that would be quite suitable for peas, beans, cabbage or turnips. Most flower seeds' and many vegetable ’seeds, such its cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, etc., can bo more successfu/ll.y raised, when sown in nurserv beds and

transplanted when large enough. When sown in this way it is easier to look after them than when sown in different places in tlie garden, and they may lie moivr readily protected, from unfavourable weather conditions and the depredations of insect pects. A rough framework of wood covered with scrim will be found useful to protect the beds from cold winds, frosts', or the Mat of the sun in summer.

Choice flower seed*, especially of the tender varieties, should be sown in boxes' placed in a greenhouse, frame, or on a sunny verandah. The boxes should le three or four inches in depth and a aver of broken crocks or shingle placed in the bottom for drainage. Leave half an inch, of space between tine top of tlie soil and the top of the J?ox. A sheet of glass l or a. piece of brown paper placed over the ton of the box will prevent evaporation and maintain an even temperature. This covering is,hen id be; removed' as 'Spon as the seeds germinate. The soil in the boxes should be well soaked movtons to sowing, the seeds, and will usually remain sufficiently moist until the soodis germinate, but if the soil shows signs of getting dry it should be watered, using a, can with a, fine rose, so that the .surface of tj’o soil .will not be, disturbed and the sepcl.s wa.-hed awav. Tlie boxes .should be

• laced in a light and, airy position, .lint shaded from the sun during the hottest part of the day. As soon as the plant* are large enough to handle they should be transplanted! two inches apart into shallow boxes filled' with good soil, cantailing about one-third well-rotted manure, and a: liberal quantity of sanil. Plant" of a. tender nature' that are liikev '*o be damaged bv frost must not lie transplanted into the open until danger e* ‘barn frost is over. If grown undbr '■■lass, the’- must be gradually” “ha.ixlc’lcd off” bv increasing the ventilation "•••.■d’uill'v at night, and then moved out‘id> in a sheltered place, until they ’ :i ; p, boom*? accustomed to outdoor eond'tilUT'l.

ROUTINE WORK. .'.heher and ornamental trees, shrubs. .r..it trees, and rose bushes shun d he . ute.i as soon as possible new. Complete pinning and spraying oi i ru.it trees as 'soon as possible. Prune rose bushes. i hint i hubarb roots four feet apart in well-manured soil. Plant cabbage and cauLiflower plant)?. Plant Jerusalem artichokes. Mant garlic bulbs six inches apart, :n ■dwv iiitcen iiielos apart. Plant shallots. nine inches apart, in toAv.s eighteen inches apart. , bow when weather conditions are "io •l able broad bean», cabbage, auliflowiar. carrot. cress, lettuce, mustard, union's, ripiiiaoh and turnips. bow under glass Cape goose perry, cucumber and tomato seeds, Place seed potatoes close together in •‘low boxes to sprout. Place it. a light, airy shed and: .protect from frost at night b-v placing sheets of paper over Mi" boxes".

In warm sheltered pcs-itions sprouted sets .of seed potatoes may h'v 1 "t 1 but the top growth will need protection on nights when froM:. is probable.