Garden

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2307, 27 November 1925, Page 4

Garden

(BY "USRNA.”)

The recent welcome showers have proved of great benefit to the garden Freshly transplanted seedlings were badly in need of a little moisture. Fill up all the gaps where plants have disappeared and keep the ground well loosened with a fine surface. It is not too late to transplant asters, zini nias, marigolds, phlox drummondi, and bonfire salvia. Dahlia planting is now in full swing and plants should be got in. as soon as possible. There are many beautiful varieties on the market which tend to make choice difficult for intending purchasers. Chrysanthemums may still be planted, those planted earlier will be making good growth; keep the soil well worked a'fid stake the plants, the earliei this is done the better. It is a good plan to pinch out the tops of those that are merely required to produce blooms for cut flower work, this should be done when the plants are a foot high. Roses are blooming freely and disbudding should be done, even if the flowers are only required for garden display, a certain amount Of budding is advisable, watch the plants for aphis. In gardens! where there is only a small collection killing this pest with the thumb and i finger is as good a way as any. A mixture of black leaf 40 sprayed 01, is very effective, some gardeners use i warm soapy water, pansies are often affected with this same pest which multiplies very quickly. The Vegetable Garden. Crops of carrots, parsnips, onions, etc., require thinning, this operation should be done early for good results. Sow plenty of dwarf and runner beans, any surplus supplies of this j nutritious vegetable are easily pre- 1 served for winter use. Plant the | main ci op of tomatoes, properly hard- 1 ened plants will come away quickly. Plane cape goosberries and kumaras. Sow lettuce seed where it is to remain, there is still time to sow seeds ' of the pumpkin and melon family, j Mould the potatoes as soon as theyl are from six to eight inche \ iiigh, in, showery weather a dressing of super- | phosphate Is beneficial, applied preri-i oua to earthing up, at the rats of one ounce to three yards of row. Do not forget to sow a few swedes for| winter uses and plant late. heading ; cauliflowers and savoy cabbage. Seed may also be sown of the two latter. Delphiniums.

These beautiful stately plants are now rapidly acquiring numerous spiK.es which will quickly provide a charming display in varying shades of purple, mauve, and blue. Great improvemouts have been made, in recent years in the size of indivdiual biooms also in the length of the flowering spikes together with many delightful new shtdes. Delphiniums thrive wonderfu ly well in a bed which has been made rich with well rotted manure, and old loam. It would scarcely have been considered worth while for a private grow-er of delphiniums to have attempted raising plants from seed twenty years ago. Then it was judged to be a long process, but experiments in this direction have proved that it is not, and many amateurs successfully raise these handsome plants from seed. The raising of delphiniums in this way is most interesting, as one is likely to get plants producing flowers of great merit, particularly is this the case if seed is procured from a firm which makes a speciality of these plants. Sown in the spring or autumn and I given the same treatment in the early stages of raising as one gives to half hardy annuals is all that they require. If sown in the spring they will doom in late autumn and if sown in autumn they will usually bloom the following spring. By the second season the plants will have made rapid growth, throwing out many flowering spikes, nothing equals the delphinium for filling in the background of the herbaceous border or against a wall, where, if given plenty of room they will develop into large clumps which will only require an annual top-dressing of manure. Some growers cut the plants down to the ground after they have done flowering. the idea being to secure a second crop of flowers from basal growths It is very doubtful if this is a good plan as this must prove detrimental to their full display the following spring. In any case the plants would require additional nourishment Booking Round the Garden.

We all do so, some out of curiosity, some to find fault, some thoroughly to enjoy the beautiful features not dreaming of any criticism, others to see how improvements may be made. It is with the latter object that I invite readers to have a look round their gardens now. One should take note of both failures and successes, and not rely too much on memory as each season brings its special duties. First the flowei; borders should be inspected, especially the herbaceous ones, also the rockery. New plants to be purchased for these should be made note of and also any soil for filling up work and additions. Plants to be lifted should be labelled for that purpose, or improved positions for certain others to be marked in readiness. There is always a certain amount of readjustments to be made each season, arid if these are carefully thought out, and empty spaces filled with just what is suitable for this or that particular spot, success is assured. While visiting nurseries and horticultural shows, notes should be made of plants and flowering shrubs which may be needed. Then there is the vegetable garden to be inspected, if it is thought that liming would be- beneficial make a note of it, and procure a supply in the autumn. Very successful crops should be observed and their recent treatment borne in mind so that such successes may be more numerous next year. Personal observation and experience is worth a lot to the gardener. Fruit always attracts attention and perhaps causes the most anxiety. Ap-

pies and pears require several years in which to grow and become fruitful. But as soon as they have been given a fair trial any unremunorative specimens should be discarded and replaced with other healthy young stock as quickly as possible. Space Is too valuable to admit of anything being left which Is neither useful nor ornamental .when so many valuable varieties may be obtained to fill their places.