THE GARDEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 58, 7 February 1925, Page 10

THE GARDEN.

Notes are published weekly under this heading, and readers interested in gardening are invited to send in questions relating to matters upon which they wish expert advice; answers will be published with the weekly notes. RENOVATING OLD OR WORN LAWNS. '■'Grass Grub" asks: "What is the best method' of renovating old or worn lawns?" —Well, from a number of methods this is probably the best for a smnll lawn: It the bare places are large, it is just as well to use a garden fork, but for small spots a trowel will do. Break up the soil, and, after making it quite firm and level with the lawn, get a few roots of grass, say, from the roadside. Plant these with the trowel about three inches apart each way. See that the roots are covered with soil and well watered. If this plan is carefully carried out, the grass may be cut about one week after planting, and the lawn keeps its natural appearance without the delay of waiting for grass seed to grow, with, as often happens, a lot of weeds in it. Small lawns have been made this way, and it is wonderful how free of weeds they have kept. CARNATIONS. - * If good plants are wanted for next season it will be just as well to get on with the layering as soon as possible. A good mixture for the work is as follows: Mix equal parts of good compost, sand, * and, if possible, burnt earth. Pull off any dead leaves, take away the soil from round the plant to a depth of three or four inches, and fill up with the mixture. Then, with a sharp knife, cut the stalk about halfway through; draw the knife upwards for abo.it an inch«: then bend the shoot gently up and push, the lip on the shoot into the compost. Peg down with a hairpin or forked stick and cover over with compost to a depth of two inches. If the weati.er is dry the "sets" will want a certain amount of watering, as the sand dries out very quickly. With perpetual flowering carnations it is better to make cuttings in the autumn or winter. CHRYSANTHEMUMS. These plants are now fairly tall, and as it does not take much wind to break them off, care should be taken that they are all tied up. They should be miking the first, or "crown" bud about new. This should be nipped out, and the three side shoots that come where the plant has been stopped may be le.it'' if it is intended to grow three flowers on the" plant; all the lower auxiliary branches should also betaken out. Of course if the plants are only wanted for "cut" purposes it does not matter much how many branches are left, though it is just as well to nip out a few of the buds that form at the ends of the branches—"terminal buds" as they are called. Don't forget to give the plants pleuty of water and liquid manure. ■ DAHLIAS. Dahlias are growing rapidly and many fine flowers have already appeared, some of the newer varieties being especially good. These plants also want plenty of liquid manure if large blooms are to be grown. For exhibition flowers, only one bud may bo left on each branch; any other buds that show up should be "nipped out. In giving liquid manure it is not mjcessary to pour it close to the stalk, but a foot or so away. Don't, however, make the very common mistake of making the manure Water too strong, and an egg. cup full of superphosphate added to every five gallons will help a great deal. Exhibition flowers should be shaded from the heat, which can be done as tho grower thinks best. Don't shade the whole plant, ns it draws it up too much. Do not dig too close to the plants, as the roots may be injured, a gentle raking is quite enough; rake over the soil after a watering, and this will prevent the ground from cracking, VEGETABLES.

French beans may Still be sown; they like the heat and do not require much water. Don't sow the seed too close—four or five inches apart is quite enough. If the soil is not too dry pens might even be sown, though if the weather gets too hot they may not come to anything. Lettuces may still be sown, but must have plenty of water to bring them on quickly, as lettuces that grow slowly are usually harsh and tough. If water is handy leeks may be planted now, though they will be all right if planted later after the rain. The plants may just be dropped into a dibble hole; there is no necessity to fill up with earth, as a little water runs into the hole will wash enough earth round the roots. PERENNIAL PHLOX. These beautiful flowers are now making a good show, and in dry soils a good watering, say, once a week, should be given. Up to the last year or two these plants were little known or admired, being mostly magenta or purple, but such beautiful shades have now been produced that they are found in almost every garden. Some of the pink shades, such as Elizabeth Campbell, Iduna and Jubilee, are especially beautiful. FREESIAS. Those who want early freesias should pot them. A good compost can be made of two parts of soil to one part of leaf mould? and a sprinkling ol sand. Do not put too many in a pot about eight in at six-inch pot is quit< enough. Plant just under the surface or so that the tips show through. Th< pots require drainage, so don't forge' to put in some "crocks."