THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8670, 12 September 1891, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

J'LOWKR GAKDKX. Throughout the week strong keen, cutting winds have prevailed, causing much damage to any tree.* that were late planted and that are exposed to the full blast. The value of staking all newly-planted trees cannot be over-estimated, as it prevents the plants from being shaken about by every wind that blows, and preserves any young fibrous roots that are liable to be broken by the movement of the top backwards and forwards. The experience of the last few days is sutlicient proof of the absolute necessity for staking. In many places aphides, or green Hies, infest the young shoots of roses so much so as to require syringing with some suitable solution to check their ravages and prevent further injury to the plant Clear water applied often and forcibly with a syringe will have tho desired effect. The various trees, shrubs, and other permanent plants arc now starting into growth, and many early spring {lowering.plants arc bursting into bloom. It is at this season of the year the value of hardy deciduous trees and shrubs is so apparent, as they give a freshness to the' garden and present such a complete transformation as cannot be produced by evergreen plants. The majorityof deciduous shrubs give a profusion of bloom, rendering them specially attractive during their period of flowering. The flowering currant is now a mass of long drooping blossoms. This beautiful early flowering shrub should be much more generally cultivated than at present. The double flowering plums will shortly be in bloom. These are also exceedingly attractive, hardy dwarf shrubs. Camellias : The flowering season of these winter flowering shrubs will shortly be over. Attend to pulling off all spent and decaying blooms; and should any of the plants require cutting back to curtail their dimensions or thinning out, now is the best time to do it, just before the plants start into new growth. Old plants that have become grown over with moss or have a stunted appearance are often benefited by being pruned, as this induces fresh vigorous growth. The present is also a good time to fork in a.little wellrotted manure around those that require stimulating. Azaleas: These extremely showy flowering dwarf plants are now coming into bloom. Every garden should possess a few varieties, as they arc so useful for bouquets and other purposes for which out flowers are employed. During the week all transplanting operations have been delayed wing to the extremely harsh drying winds but the ground, being in splendid working order, lias enabled any digging, forking, and cleaning to proceed. This is very ncccssary work, and every endeavour should bo made to have r,he whole garden made clean and tidy, which greatly reduces the harbour for slugs and affords much better facilities for keeping them in check. Make a rule to dig over the beds and borders early every spring, and the work of keeping down slugs (which must be attended to if satisfactory results are to be obtained) will not bo nearly so difficult.

TIIK OIICHAItD.

Trees of apples and pears that have been headed down with the view of re-working with other varieties should now be grafted without delay. The stocks are now in the best possible condition for working, and should, if care is taken in selecting well ripened wood, form a quick union. In previous notes I recommended taking off all grafts required for use and heeling them in the ground. By doing this the scions are kept practically dormant, and take much more readily than when left on the tree until the time of grafting. Tho mode of grafting must in a great measure depend upon the stocks to b« worked.

Whip or tongue grafting is the method most generally adopted, and is the best for small stocks, bub when large stocks are to be worked, in some cases two or three inches in diameter, rind grafting is the simplest and best and makes the most perfect union. In rind grafting a smooth sloping cut is made through the base of the scion, using a sharp knife for this purpose. A slit is then made in the bark at the top of the stock, and the bark slightly raised. The scion is inserted in this and firmly tied. If the branches are large two or three grafts may be put on each branch. If more take than are required they can be removed when the grafts are quite established. As soon as the grafts are jut 011, and securely tied, the wound should be sealed over with prepared clay or grafting wax. This should be done in such a way as to exclude all air from the wound. All newly-planted trees should be securely staked to prevent injury from the winds. This should be done before the trees start into growth, as many bf the young shoots will be damaged in the operation. The best method of staking newlyplanted trees is by driving two stakes in the ground, one on each side of the trees, and to fasten the trees firmly between them, first placing a piece of sacking or other material to prevent chafing, the whole of the trees should be wall mulched with manure or other suitable\material. By doing this early in the season ; the roots are kept in a moist condition throughout the summer.

CAMELLIA AND KAIILY SIT. IKG FLOWER ' SHOW. I would remind all lovers of flowers that this exhibition will be held in the Newmarket Hall this afternoon and evening. With the exception of the last few day? the weather lias been most favourable for all spring flowering plants, and the public may look forward to a real floral treat. At nine o'clock a sale of cut flowers, bouquets, and other exhibits will be held, so that the public will be enabled to procure the choicest flowers of the season. lvKi/os.