Garden

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3263, 5 February 1926, Page 10

Garden

(BY "LOBNA.")

Recent showers have put new life into the garden, Including the weeds, which have made vigorous growth and must be removed. Dahlias are growing freely, demanding a fair amount of attention in the way of Making, tying and disbudding, also apply liquid manure in cases where specially fine blooms are looked for. All bedding annuals are commencing, to cover the ground nicely, and if the weeds are pulled out they should require very little further attention, beyond,. the plucking off of all spent blooms. Cuttings of many varieties of shrubs may be struck now by those gardeners who possess a cold frame pr greenhouse. Insert small pieces of the current year’s growth in sandy soli, keeping them moist until rooted Roses may also be propagated at this time of the year in a similar manner. The shrubs which were planted last spring and have succeeded in passing through the dry weather successfully are now making active growth and will, cause no further trouble beyond a little judicious pruning. If not already done prepare the beds for the narcissi family and get them planted as soon as possible. A well raised bed is the most suitable where good blooms are wanted, filled with turf, a little cow manure, adding a little bone meal or basic slag at the time of planting. Prepare the ground for sweet peas, digging deeply and adding plenty of manure. Continue sowing seeds of all hardy perennials for Autumn planting out; the may be gathered from mtet varieties at present, and there is no difficulty in the germination of the freshly gathered article. The Vegetable Garden. Now the soil is in good condition any vacant plots not intended for cultivating plants until spring should be raked over and a sowing made of oats, blue lupins, or any other suitable crop for digging in as green manure. Garden soli which has run out from continual cropping derives great benefit when treated in this manner, and a greatly increased yield will be noticed the following spring. Make a further sowing of peas and dwarf beans and continue plantings of celery, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. Pumpkins, marrows and cucumbers are now making rapid growth, the runners should have (the ends pinched off to encourage the growth of side shoots, which develop the most fruit. Tomatoes are now making plenty of growth and it is admirable to trim theta well back and not allow too many side branches. Outdoor tomatoes are like most other things this season, late in maturing and ripe fruit in any quantity will not be available until well on in the month. Sow seeds of spinach, silver beet, and onion for early spring use, also anything in the salad line. The Herbaceous Paeony. Those gardeners intending to plant paeonies should prepare the. soil in' readiness now. There Is no season in the year so suitable for transplanting the herbaceous paeony as early autumn. It has often been stated that early spring time, when the plants have made a few inches of growth, Is the best time for planting. But experience has proved that no worse time in the year could possibly be named. The reason for this is obvious, when a study has been made of their habit of growth. The paeony makes two sets, of roots during the year, and' one of these, the fibrous roots, is produced each year in early autumn. The other set of roots, viz., the large fleshy ones, which go down deeply into the earth, is most active during the growing season. In a stiff holding soil these roots will often penetrate to a depth of three feet. When once planted paeonies may remain for a dozen or a score of years without interference, and given good soil will soon grow into fine specimen plants, which are very suitable for filling bare spaces in large borders. At the original planting it is always well to bear ,in mind that it is impossible to have the soil either to deep or too rich for them. Very light sandy soil Will be benefltted by adding about one-fourth of good clayey soil and a generous supply of cowyard manure. There is nothing to be gained by planting extra large specimens, as they often remain at a standstill, without any attempt to make fresh roots. The most suitable are those with from four to six crowns. These quickly make a fresh start. Before planting cut off the longest tap roots, as these are so brittle and break at the slightest touch, and bury the crown buds about two inches deep. It is as well to allow the surface of the bed to be one or two inches below the ordinary level as paeonies delight in plenty of moisture. Where able to pick and choose a suitable spot for paeonies avoid planting them too closely to trees and shrubs, as in such a position they are likely to suffer from lack of moisture. Those who are purchasing these plants for the first time would do well to plant a few varieties of the most decided shades of colour, which make the finest display. Many of the later hybrids are strongly perfumed, which lends them an added attractiveness. The colours generally range through shades of mauve, pinks, reds, cream, buff, and while perhaps the most beautiful arc the single paeonies which lend themselves so well for decorative effect,, they are also delightfully ornamental in the border, where a few bulbs of early yellow trumpet, daffodils may be planted among them. La early spring the paeonies throw up shoots with lovely reddish tints. These, combined with the yellow blooms of the daffodils, provide an attractive splash of colour. Pansies and Violas. Pansy and viola plants which have successfully witstood the dry weather should bo given a little attention. A top dressing of cow manure broken up finely will help the plants to make fresh growth. As soon as the young growth has acquired the height of from three to four inches cuttings may

be struck to increase the stock of desirable varieties. Many of them may be obtained with a few rootlets attached. For exhibition purposes more than one plant of a given variety is necessary, in order to get a succession of blooms for various shows. If seed is to be sown, get it -in without further delay to enable them to bloom in early spring. When making a new bed trench deeply, and do not be afraid of putting in the manure as they are gross feeders. A partially shaded position should be chosen, yet this must not be too. near trees and shrubs, or the pansies will suffer in a dry season, as they are great moisture loving plants. Sow the best seed procurable, and even then you may not get more than one or two really good ones. Eliminate all inferior shapes and colours gradually .working up your strain to the highest standard obtainable. The culture of the pansy and viola family is a most fascinating hobby, and one which also requires patience and perseverance.