THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9040, 19 November 1892, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

FLOWER GARDEN.

Fuchsias are now flowering profusely. These are amongst the most graceful and attractive of garden plants. They thrive when planted out in the beds or borders ! without any special care or attention, and produce their ornamental and graceful flowers in the greatest profusion. The varieties are now very numerous, and are ' being annually increased by others, representing some difference in form, size, or colour to existing types. Bub many of the older sorts can scarcely be excelled for robust and floriferoua habit, the recent introductions being more remarkable for the variation in shape and length of their flowers. Fuchsias being of easy cultivation, are largely represented in our flower gardens. They succeed best in a faisly rich soil. The compact-growing sorts may be allowed to grow at will, merely attaching a stake to each plant to prevent their being injured by strong winds. Many that are of spreading and trailing habit may be trained against trellises or up the sides of verandahs. For this purpose the singleflowered varieties are the best adapted. When grown in pots the use of the floriferous sorts is well known, their graceful appearance rendering them special favourites, whether for exhibition, window, or greenhouse purposes. Ivy-lea pelargoniums are another most important and desirable genus for the general embellishment of the flower garden. They are specially adapted for training up against fences or verandahs, or planting to trail over rockeries or stumps, or on the sides of banks. They are not affected by insects, and produce the utmost profusion of bloom in large trusses, varying in colour from white to the different shades of scarlet. Of late years this section of pelargoniums has been rendered doubly attractive by the addition of several semi-double flowered varieties of great beauty and free flowering. Too much can scarcely be said in favour of ivy-leaved pel agon i urns, whether for growing in pots or boxes, on verandahs, or as window plants, or in hanging baskets, or for the general decoration of the garden. They are of the easiest cultivation, and readily propagated from cuttings. Dahlias: Now is the time for planting these into their different places. Dahlias are indispensable for the decoration of the garden during the summer and These, like all other popular plants, have been greatly increased by the raising of new varieties from seeds. By this means new and distinct types are produced quite different to the formal dahlias of a few years ago. The cactus, flowered and single, and decorative sections are now special favourites, and useful for cutting. Pompon Dahlias are also neat growers and very pretty. The weather during the week has again been exceptionally favourable for transplanting and for all recently planted things. KITCHEN GARDEN. Complaints come from all quarters about the destructiveness of slugs. Even with the aid of tobacco dust they seem more difficult to keep in check than ever. This is to be accounted for by the exceptionally moist weather experienced throughout the spring and up to the present time. There has been no opportunity to keep the surface of the ground frequently raked and stirred. During dry seasons the constant working of the surface soil keeps them under. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " G.H.," Whangarei.—The following in answer to your many queries :— 1. The enchaintro system somewhat resembles the cordon systemof training. The answer under the heading Jvlo. 3 is almost identical with the enchaintre system, and is, I am convinced, the best for this country. 2. Outdoor grape vines may be trained on wires, but the top wire should not be more than two and a-half to three feet from the surface of the ground. The nearer the ground they are trained the less liable they are to the attacks of oidium or mildew. An excellent plan is to erect a trellis, consisting' of wire or wooden laths, about two feet from the ground, and forming a flab surface over which the vines may be trained. The trellis should not exceed three feet in width. This will support the side or fruiting laterals that start out from the main cane, and allow of their being easily worked. It is well known that grapes, when grown outside in this moist climate, are very subject to mildew unless they are trained very near the ground. 3. The plants should be arranged in rows from-six to eight feet apart. This will allow, you to train the main cane three to four feet on either side—viz., two shoots from each vine, trained . right and left about four* feet. The bearing wood will, of course, be the laterals that grow from the leading -cane, and should only be

allowed to »occupy the space allotted to them. These laterals will, of course, need properly pruning each season. 4. After the grapes are gathered very little fresh growth will be made, providing the plants have had the necessary attention given them in stopping and regulating their growth during the fruiting period or the vine. Any after growth that id made need not be removed until the time of pruning. 5. In building a new house, it is immaterial whether the vines are the full length of the rafters or not. Some even build before planting, but it is always advisable to have the canes well advanced before building, as a matter of economy. 6. Ido not recommend making the border the full width the first season of planting, but sufficient must be prepared to allow the roots good scope. It is always advisable to add to the border each season, as far as practicable. By this means the roots derive the full benefit from the new material used. Ample ventilation should be provided, both at top and bottom. This matter is of the greatest importance. 7. I have never used shells in the preparation for vine border, and would not recommend it. A fair proportion of sea sand mixed with the soil is a great advantage. Brick rubbish and lime are always useful in keeping the soil open and porous. Coarse bones are almost essential in the preparation of the border, and is better than any other manure. 8. You will require a large supply of water, but it is impossible for me to give you an idea of the quantity that will be required, as this will depend almost entirely upon the size of the vinery and the kind of weather you may have during the season. I do nob know of any book I could recommend on outside vine culture. Perhaps some of my readers can supply us with this information. Kepos.