GARDENING NOTES

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 22, 17 March 1938, Page 4

GARDENING NOTES

(By “Spring Bloom.’’) The Lilium Hcnryi which is a fine. Chinese lily should have a place in every garden. It is exceptionally strong in constitution and is very hardy and will grow in all but the poorest soils. ft will grow in stiff loam approaching day, in sandy loam, in peat and, in fact, will do well in all. It is easily raised from seed. Large bulbs are comparatively cheap, but small or medium-sized bulbs are to be preferred as they can be relied upon to improve for three or four years.. When subdivided the loss of strength is not very noticeable. The dark brown stems are clothed with broad glossy foliage of a deep green. Tho flowers, sometimes as many as twenty in number, are of a rich apricot colour, similar in shape to those of 1 ilium speciosum, and borne on the stems in much the same manner. The whole plant is very handsome and often reaches a height of from (5 feet to 9 feet. Few lilies are, more encouraging to the beginner in lily culture. It is often recommended to plant lilies among dwarf rhododendrons or other shrubs. The system is a good one for two reasons: It shelters the young stems at their most tender stage, and also protects the roots from the burning sun in midsummer. Care is necessary to allow sufficient room between the shrubs or the lilies will be choked out. This lily is one of the stem-rooting varieties, thus, in addition to the roots proceeding from the base of the bulb tho stem also sends out a mass of roots close to the surface and on the food available for the latter depends to a great measure the size of the stem and the quality of the flowers. A three-inch mulch of turfv loam, loaf-

mould and old manure with a small quantity of sharp sand forms an excellent mulch for the roots to forage in. Those who possess bulbs of this lily already planted outside would do well later on when foliage is off to examine them. If a little soil is removed the old stem can he pulled out and the hole left filled with sharp sand. On the old stem and clustered among the surface roots may often be found young bulbs the size of hazel-nuts, and it is well worth while to pot and grow them on for one season to replant the following spring. Tf the old stems arc left their shrinkage allows a passage to the heart of the plant for slugs, and once there they attack the new growth before it reaches the surface with dire results. When staking is necessary it should he remembered that the bulb is large and to avoid injuring it place the stake six inches away from the stem. Planting should he done early, in fact as soon as tho bulbs can he lifted after they have done flowering. Vegetable Garden. Harvest potatoes and onions and when properly dry store in dry shed. Plant cabbages, cauliflowers and silver beet. Sow spinach, turnips, lettuce and onions. Regularly pick beans ns this encourages tho plants to continue to produce. Water the plants if the weather is dry. Dig over all vacant plots and either manure or lime as required. Frequent cultivating between the rows of seedling crops gives the young plants a wonderful stimulus. Thin out as soon as practicable. Continue to earth up cclerv. removing any decaying leaves and sucker growths before applying the soil. Remove old pea plants which have finished and gather up and store away the sticks for next season. Burn any material which is infested with millew or other disease, and the rest maybe utilised for digging-in.