THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8842, 2 April 1892, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

FLOWER (iAKDKN. Early Spring Flowering Hardy Bulbs. —The present is the best month for planting a. suitable collection of the many varieties of these most beautiful and graceful of hardy spring flowers. The daffodils or narcissi are amongst the most valuable for garden decoration, on account of their easy cultivation, hardiness, and adaptability to our climate. For filling beds or growing in groups or clumps in mixed boiders and shrubberies', and, when naturalised, in shady walks, or forming groups in t r r\ss or on sloping banks, the effect when in bloom is most delightful. No ilower of spring can compare with the daffodil. There tire a host of varieties arranged in different classes. The stronger growing kinds are the most satisfactory, as some of the slender and growing sorts require more care, ami are not so easily grown. The daffodil will thrive in almost any soil or situation. In planting, the top of the bulb should be about two inches below the surface, according to its size. But when they are grown in permanent beds where the bulbs are allowed to remain in the ground throughout the year, and summer flowering plants are cultivated over the bulbs, they should be planted two or three inches deeper, selecting only the strong-growing varieties for this purpose. For beds, the large flowering trumpet and Incomparabilis varieties are the best and most effective. Cut blooms of daffodils are always useful, and are always in abundance at a season when other flowers are scarce.

Next in importance to narcissus are bubiunas, ixias, and spa rax is. The varieties belonging to these species are all exceedingly showy and attractive, and continue to bloom for a considerable period. They are somewhat similar in growth and appearance, and require the same cultivation and treatment They should be arranged in clumps in separate colours, or mixed according to taste. In planting cover the bulbs from one to two inches deep. Anemones are too well known to require description. No garden is complete without a few of these early spring flowering favourites. In planting cover the tubers two inches deep. Ranunculus are also extremely showy when they succeed well, but are much more variable in their growth than any of tho above, and require more care in cultivation. Some seasons they grow and flower well, whereas at others they are almost failures. Hyacinths and tulips are generally associated together. Both are gorgeous in appearance when in a healthy state and in full bloom. Tulips are, comparatively speaking, of easy cultivation, and are well adapted to our climate; but hyacinths, as a rule, do not give satisfaction. Slugs are too troublesome here, and destroy the flower stems in the early stage of development. Both hyacinths and tulips should be grown in beds or in large groups. In addiLioh to the abovementioned there are several other useful early flowering bulbs, including English and Spanish iris, tritonias, etc. THE ORCHARD. The season for transplanting all kinds of fruit trees, ornamental trees, and shrubs is again drawing near. Intending planters should see that the soil is thoroughly propared and the holes dug out, and everything in readiness for the reception of the trees as soon as they are ready for removal. The advantages of: early planting are now thoroughly recognised by all those having experience in this work. One of the most important matters in connection with planting young trees is to have the soil well prepared before planting. The amount of preparation necessary will in a groat measure depend upon the character of the soil. In some soils, particularly where there is good natural drainage, very little preparation is necessary. But in soils of a stiff clayey nature thorough drainage is of the greatest importance; for, no matter how the surface is prepared, or how carefully the trees are planted, they cannot thrive when planted in cold wet soil, with stagnant water at the roots. Before starting to plant the orchard should be systematically laid out, and the holes marked for the different varieties of fruit intended for planting, allotting to each the space and situation best suited to their requirements. The arrangements for the different sorts of fruits are matters of no small importance. Each variety of fruit should have a separate space allotted to them ; for instance, apples, pears, plums, peaches, and other fruits

should each have a space devoted to themselves. The places best suited for the different varieties will depend entirely upon the soil and situation best suited for their different requirements. By -being arranged in this manner much time and trouble are saved in their cultivation, and in gathering the fruit and in dressing the trees for the different insects and ot her pests that attack the in. Tho peach requires the most sheltered situation that can be given it. The experience of the last two or three years has proved that the peach, when well sheltered and cultivated, will thrive well and fruit abundantly. Shrubs and other plants intended for removal should now be prepared by having the roots cut round and the plants partly lifted. In preparing email evergreen shrubs they should bo cut round about nine inches from the stem, and the tree partly raised. It should then be trod firmly in position again, and allowed to remain until .June, when it can be removed with safety, having made a number of young roots, which keeps the soil together and forms a good ball. In treating larger trees the roo! must be cut further away from the main stem. Dig a trench around the tree, keeping eighteen inches or two feet from the main stem, according to the size of the tree ; cut all roots found inside of the trench to the depth of two feet, and then till up the trench and allow the tree to remain until tho end of June, when it can be removed. This operation retards the flow of sap and causes it to descend, which induces young fibrous root action, and ensures success in the removal of largo evergreen trees and shrubs. Kki'os.