GARDENING NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 8 September 1923, Page 4

GARDENING NOTES.

(By "Waratah.")

FLOWER GARDEN. Carnations.—-These beautiful flowers, which are the greatest rivals of roses in the scale of popularity, should be grown in every garden. They are not difficult to grow successfully, and a little attention and trouble will be repaid by a profusion of beautiful and fragrant flowers. Rooted layers may be procured and planted any * time from August to November. Carnations like firm ground, and if a bed has not been prepared it should be done at once to allow the soil to settle before planting out. In selecting a situation for the beds choose a site that is sheltered and sunny. The soil should be well trenched, and if it is inclined to be heavy some coarse sand mixed with it. Lime is essential to the carnation, and if the soil does not contain lime a liberal quantity of air-slaked lime or old mortar pounded up should be dug in. Avoid the use of strong, rank manures; any animal manure used must be thoroughly well decayed, and only mixed with the bottom spit where the roots can reach it when the plants are well established. A very rich soil (especially if loose also) has a strong tendency to cause bursting of the calyx. When planting allow a distance of 18 inches between the plants and two feet between the rows. Plant very firmly, and not deeper than the base of the first set of leaves. Water thoroughly after planting, and see that the soil is never allowed to become very dry, or the flower buds will shrivel up and wither. If it is necessary to water the plants ■grive a copious supply, sufficient to thoroughly moisten the whole of the soil; in which the roots are growing. Carnations are sometimes affected by a

disease known as rust, which will he recognised by brownish stains on the foliage. As soon as any leaves are noticed to be infected null them off immediately and burn them, and dust the plants freely with a mixture of fresh finely-powdered lime and sulphur in equal proportions. I It is interesting to raise carnations from seeds; for quantity of bloom and a general display they often surpass those propagated by layers and cuttines. Many of the plants may not come up to expectations; they may be single or not a pleasing colour. But one may obtain from a first-class strain of seeds varietiesl equal to many of the well-known named varieties, and there 5 is always the possibility that you may raise some new variety superior* in form or colour to any now existing. Those who have a greenhouse or frame may sow at once, or the seeds may be sownin the garden about mifMDo+oher. If so^'n now shallow lioyes should be filled with soil composed of three parts turfy loam and one part of very* old <~ow manure and clenn. gritty sand. These materials should be well mixed andi turned several times before using. The seeds should only be lightly covered, and sheets of glass placed over the boxes to prevent evaporation. Place the . boxes in a ci^se frame or a moist corner of the greenhouse, and as soon as the seedlings .appear tilt the glnss to admit air, and remove it altogether after a few days. Shade the young seedlings from strong sunshine, andi give plenty of light and air. As soon as they are large enough to handle comfortably prick them out into boxes of good light soil, three inches apart, or into four-inch pots, three in* each pot. .Make sure that the boxes or pots are ' 4'eilcltamedl, for the carnation dislikes the sourness of soil that inadequate t drainage produces. As soon as the 1 young plants in the boxes or pots begin to touch each other transfer them to the site where they are intended to , flower. Prepare the soil and plant as recommended above for rooted layers. I Roses.—-^As soon as new leaves have formed make a frequent examination of . them, for the green fly or rose aphis, which must he destroyed as soon as observed. It is the worst enemy of the rose, and as they reproduce at an enormous rate considerable damage will be done if prompt measures are not taken. Spray the plants with a solution of Blackleaf 40 at the rate of one teaspoonful to a gallon of water; or with kerosene emulsion made by boiling one quart of kerosene and lib of soft soap in a little water in an old saucepan. Skim off the fatty substance that forms on the surface as it boils; after toiling for a few minutes add the mixture to six gallons of water, and keep well stirred by c hurning the mixture occasionally while spraying. Spray on successive days, and a couple of days later spray with clear water to remove the emulsion and carry away the. dead aphides. Mildew usually makes its appearance early in spring, especially on roses growing in a draughty position. Spray as soon as the mildew is .Observed with potassium sulphide solution, one ounce of potassium to five gallons of rain water. Add onev.tablespoonful of liquid glue to the mixture to make it adhere to the foliage. Use as fine a spray as possible. Keep a watch for caterpillars and grubs; any curled leaf should be picked off and the grub destroyed. ; Current Work. —Complete the prun- ' Ing of roses, and remove any suckers that have started from the stocks. In sheltered gardens hardy seedlings may | now be planted. Divide and replant : any overgrown perennial plants. Keep careful watch for slugs, which will now ■ become troublesome by eating off young shoots as they emerge from the ground, i Dust soot or fresh lime round the plants ! occasionally. The planting of trees and shrubs should be completed as soon as possible. Dahlia tubers that have been stored for the: winter should be placed in a glass frame to restart them into growth. Sweet peas that have been raised in boxes or pots should be planted into their nlaces in the garden." Sow half-hardy and tender varieties of flower seeds under glass. Sow hardy annuals in boxes in a sheltered position. The weather conditions should soon be favourable to sowing them in the garden. VEGETABLE GARDEN. ! Carrots.—To grow these vegetables so that they shall have a delicate flavour and be tender and digestible they must be grown quickly by good cultivation. The best method is to sow small quantities of seeds at frequent intervals, say, once a month, and use them before they have become large and tough. They should be sown in soil that was manured last season in rows nine inches apart. Draw the drills half an inch^deep, and sow the seeds fairly thinly. Early Horn.. Early Nantes, or Guerande are good stump-rooted varieties. James' Intermediate is perhaps the best long-rooted variety. This kind should lie sown in rows 12 inches apart. If wood ashes are available scatter some in the drills before sowing. Beets.—These prefer a deep, rich soil, but they must not be sown*on ground that has been re"tntly manured, or the roots will be badly forked and coarse. The beet is found growing in a wild state near the sea, so a- fair dressing of salt, will be found beneficial. The best artificial manure to use is superphosphate at the rate, of four ounces to the 'square yard. Fork in before sowing. The turnro-rooted varieties mature more auickly than the lon* varieties. On poor and shallow soils the turnip-rooted vavie+ies are the best to sow. Sow the seeds •in drills one inoh deen and 12 inches apart • thin out the seedling as soon as large enough to handle to six inches apart

Add Gardening Notes — ? ? ?. p Silver or spinach beet is grown' exclusively for its foliage. The leaves are used like spinach. Many like only the thick mid-rib, wLich when cooked has a similar flavour to sea kale. To get good succulent leaves and fleshy midribs the soil must be well worked and ri-h The plants grow to a large size, so the rows must he at least two feet apart. Sow one inch deep, and thin out to 15 inches apart. This is an excel-* lent vegetable to grow for fowls confined in runs. It has a hijrh nutritive value, the birds are particularly fond of it, and if a few leaves are given to them daily it will keep them in a healthy condition.

Current Work. —Plant potatoes. Sow peas for succession. Plant Jerusalem artichokes in rows three feet apart and the sets six inches deep. Established beds of asparagus should receive a light dressing of salt to act as a fertiliser and to keep down weeds. Earth up cabbage and'cauliflower plants as they grow.

Sow under glass: Ca:ie gooseberries, celery, cucumbers, egg plants, melons, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, vegetable marrows.

Sow broad beans, beets, cabbages, cauliflowers, cress, leeks, lettuces, mustard, onions, peas, parsley, parsnips, radishes, salsify, spinach, silver beet, turnips.