ON THE LAND.

Northern Advocate, 7 January 1920, Page 1

ON THE LAND.

FARM AND GARDEN NOTES.

ASTERS.

When well grown, asters are almost as handsome as chrysanthemums (nays "Kowhai" in the "Dominion"), so much so that it is often diflicult to distinguish between the two flowers. Being oue of the most popular, as well as one of the most useful!, of our summer and autumn-flowering annuals, Tho aster Is represented in nearly every garden, but so many gardeners are, alas, satisfied to have one fair-sized flower to each plant, with a number of small and insignificant flowers growing up the central stem. A well-grown plant, should have about half a dozen good blooms on long, strong stems. One of the main essentials towards successful growth is, as usual, food. Without sufficient food, the plants cannot be expected to produce good blooms. Then too there is" the all important question of cultivation. The soil must be well prepared before the plants are put out, and well enriched. This gives them a good start, and from then until flowering time they must bo kept growing vigorously. By pinching out the central bud one throws all the strength into tho laterals, and if these are restricted in number one gets several good blooms, instead of one good and a number of insignificant ones.

Just now the plants need all the attention they cau get, for the roots, which are always very near the surface of the soil, must be kept moist. To do this it is advisable to spread a mulch of well-decayed manure about the plants, and water should be supplied freely. But where manure cannot be used, prick in a dressing of superphosphate, and use a mulch of well-decayed vegetable rubbish, grass clippings, or anything that is available.

Liquid manure should be given regularly once the buds are formed. Care should be taken not, to fork or hoc deeply near aster plants just, now, or many valuable roots will be destroyed and the more plentiful and vigorous (it roots, the better the flowers will be

By paying strict attention during the nev't few weeks to mulching, watering, and feeding, gardeners should greatly improve the size and substance of their aster blooms. •

Where it is difficult to get liquid manure, guano may be used at rfie rate of one ounce in every gallon of water. Soot water; too, is a splendid fertiliser and greatly improves the colour of tho flowers.

ROUTINE WORK,

Violets. —Watch violet borders for «ny trace of red spider. An examination of the backs of the leaves will soon show you whether the tiny things have taken up their abode there. Unfortunately it is not until red spider has a good hold that the plants themselves begin to show the effects, therefore frequent examination of the backs of the leaves is necessary. All plants should be thoroughly syringed with clear water regularly, special attention being paid to the undersides of the leaves. The soil about the plants should be kept well stirred and free from weeds. All surplus runners should be removed, leaving, where new plants are wanted for autumn planting, not more than two runners to each plant. These should be pegged down till they root, when they may be separated from the parent plant.

Dahlias. —Keep the soil loose about dahlia plants. They are moisture-lov-ing plants, and should be kept well supplied with water.. Where water is scarce they should be given one thorough soaking, and then a much of half-rotted manure. Ii ! animal manure cannot be had, almost any other material will serve the purpose, provided that, liquid manure is given regularly to the plants. Dahlias, when well grown, make tremendous growth, and it becomes necessary to thin out some of ihe stems. All laterals should be thinned out, and some of the buds removed. Bushes so treated will produce fine, well-formed, long-stemmed flowers. Constant picking of the flowers will keep the plants blooming over a longer period, and help to keep up the quality of the blooms.

Hollyhocks. —Hollyhocks require regular supplies of liquid manure. They arc greedy feeders, and by keeping them growing vigorously, one helps to ward off the hollyhock disease. Syringe the loaves during dry weather to keep

away red spider

Liliums and gladioli that have not yet flowered should be given a mulch of well-decayed vegetable rubbish or manure. Guano at the rate of Joz to 1 gallon of water may be given once a week.

Flowering Shrubs.—Flowering shrubs, such as lilac, early-floweriag rhododendrons, azaleas, mock orange, etc., should have shpots that have ' borne flowers cut back a little. In the case of rhododendrons the dead flower-heads should be gently screwed off. Attending early to the cutting back of these, flowering shrubs helps to secure a plentiful supply of flowers for next season.

Daphnes growing in hot, dry situations should be well watered, and should then have a mulch of some old litter spread round them. It is most important that daphnes should have a cool root run at all times.

Rhododendrons and azaleas should also receive this attention. Rhododendrons are splendid flowering shrubs to grow, one of their greatest charms being that they are evergreen, and sq always beautiful. There are such numbers of varieties, both early and late, that one can have rhododendrons in flower over quite a long period.

HEMEROCALLIS. The beautiful coppery-yeiiow flowers of hemerocallis fulva (day lily) are showing colour. Each flower lasts but a day, but there are always other buds ready to open and take the place of the faded flower. A good watering with soot-water given once a week helps the plants considerably during the next few weeks. SEED-PANS. Most gardeners will have finished planting out seedlings now, and many seod-pans will be empty. Those should bo cleaned and stored away in a dry place and not left lying about. Very of ton there are still somo seedlings loft over after the beds have boon filled. It seems a pity to waste these, for if a spare corner can he found for them somewhere, they will provide an extra supply of. cut flowers. Failiug every other place they can often be planted in rows in the vegetable garden.