The Charm Of Sweet William: Quaint And Old-Fashioned Beauty

Northern Advocate, 23 July 1938, Page 14

The Charm Of Sweet William: Quaint And Old-Fashioned Beauty

In The Garden

PERHAPS you think of Sweet William as old-fashioned, particularly if you think of the dull rod and white shades. Some of these are very quaint, and remind me of the old-fashioned prints so popular for children’s frocks. If you have seen a narrow border of the bright scarlet Sweet William, you will agree with me that William can look very gay. There is charm about that dark velvety red bloom; you should also try the salmon-pink variety along with the primulinus gladioli and pink alonsoa. Endeavour to buy seedlings of the self-coloured Sweet William, and plant in just moderately good soil with no fresh manure. Sweet William flowers better in firm ground, and I have seen them flower well in a border near a Tecoma hedge.

A New Blue Flower. i* A novelty that we hope to see in New Zealand before long is the Blue Dianthus. This is said to be the only blue dianthus in the world, and it had its origin in the Far East. Years have been spent in getting this plant ready for the market. The colour is lavenderblue, the flowers are small, and borne In heads after the manner of the Sweet William. This plant should become a favourite provided it does well with us. Moss and Lichens on .Trees, Many tree-trunks and branches become covered with moss and lichens.

These are best cleaned off now before spring growth commences. Caustic soda solution is the best spray to use, v/ith a strength of an ounce and a half to the gallon. It should be sprayed close to the plant so as to drive the solution well in. All plants near should be covered, as the spray is caustic, particularly on young foliage. Care should also be taken to pi'otect the hands and face. Hot soap-suds from the wash-tub may be effective if used with a good stiff brush. Limewash on the trees will prevent the moss and lichens from forming. Sacks and Rags are Useful. It is quite a good plan to collect all old rags, sacks, etc. These make excellent manure when dug in, and at the same time help to hold moisture

during the dry summer, months. Sacks cut into neat pieces make excellent mulching material about plants during the summer months. Rags may be put on the compost heap, along with grass, leaves, harmless weeds, tealeaves, household refuse, and an occasional bucket of hot suds from the copper. When well-rotted down, this compost is very useful for digging in, or for use as a surface dressing. A little fowl manure, fish, manure, or super may be mixed with the compost when spreading it about gross-feeding plants. Soot. Soot is excellent in the garden. It should never be used fresh. Let it mellow for a few weeks after taking'* from the chimney. Soot may be used in the liquid manure barrel. When quite old it may be sprinkled on the foliage of carnations, along with lime. Forked in about growing plants, it helps to feed the plants, as well as to deter insect pests. It also helps to improve the soil texture, and by darkening the soil it helps materially to warm it. Fresh scot may be put on the compost heap. While in store, however, it should be kept dry. Seaweed as Manure. Late winter or early springs—a good time for collecting seaweed for the garden. The weed is particularly good for vegetables. It should bo dug in. as it soon dries if left cn the sur-

face. Dig a trench, put the seaweed i in along with grass or other garden | refuse, mix in with the soil, and fill ! in. This helps to hold moisture, as j well as make good manure during the j summer months. J The so-called sea-grass found m i ridges at high water mark is most j useful as a summer mulch. This weed j takes a long while to decompose, and. j if dug in. it should be mixed with animal manure or garden refuse, and left for several seasons before bring- * ing to the surface again. The ordinary seaweed, on the other hand, decomposes readily. \ 1 1 A Few Popular Acacias. j ] At this season we are all on the ; lock-out for trees and other plants . that are coming into flower. We note . that most ot the acacias are early- 1 flowering. The best known is A. Baileyiana. which is just showing , colour; This is a favourite tree for , small gardens. It is a quick grower. , and the light grey-green foliage is at- , tractive at all seasons. This acacia is sometimes broken by winds, and heavy frosts may cut the flower-buds. A. Polalyriaefolia is truly flowering. being in full bloom just now. It is quite hardy. The heads of bloom are brighter, larger and more showy than those of A. Baileyiana. The foliage is a siivery-grqy. but consists of small, roundish, stiff leaves; instead of the graceful, finely cut leaf of the other. The tree is not a tall grower. It should be cut back aftei flowering, as it is easily broken by tbc wind. A. Pulchella is a chaiming. weeping variety with prickly foliage. The flowers are deep, golden-yellow balls, a charming variety if trained j up to a standard, and allowed to weep where it will show to advantage. This acacia is not a big grower. It is just coming into flower. Unfortunately, it is a difficult plant to establish. A. Drummondii is a new dwarf grower that is recommended: and A. pravis- j sima is another new variety that we hope to see in bloom here soon. j Don’t — j Use nitrate of soda on heavy clay I soils. Sulphate of ammonia would be j better. Mix sulphate of ammonia with either slaked or burnt lime. Plant your onions deep. Plant the roots only. Forget to keep the onion bed clean. Forget the spring sowing and planting ahead. Much can be done now in 'readiness. “BAXTERS” IS BEST! Be ‘sure and keep Baxters Lung Preserver handy this winter. “Baxters is best for all coughs, colds, sore throats and many bronchial ailments. “Baxters” has a tonic action, too, to set you up after heavy colds. Always ask for “Baxters” —all chemists and. stores —1/6, 2/6, and 4/6. Baxteis soothes and relieves from the first dose.