THE GARDEN,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10133, 16 May 1896, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN,

The weather during, the past) week has been weft and stormy, and winter may be said to have fairly commenced. At this season of the year, it is impossible to keep the garden and grounds neat and tidy, as deciduous trees and shrubs ate continually shedding their leaves ; every gust of wind brings down a fresh batch, to add to the general litter, thus necessitating frequent Takings and gathering up of the fallen leaves, for removal to the rubbish heap, there to remain and gradually decompose, and form a valuable compost for future use. Never burn the leaves, as is too often done, It is absolute waste. Provision should be made in every garden, in some little used and out of the way corner, for a rot heap, where weeds, leaves, spent flowers and other refuse may be deposited and allowed to remain until thoroughly decomposed. Every gardener knows the value of a compost of this kind. A little lime and salt occasionally scattered over the heap after each fresh layer of weeds or leaves will be beneficial in keeping the material sweet and hastening its decomposition. The accumulation of the past summer and present winter will be ready for use next spring twelve months. The present is a busy time in all departments, of the garden. Tho prolonged drought throughout the summer and early autumn prevented seeds of weeds from germinating, consequently an abundant crop has come up since the rainy season set in, entailing extra labour to keep thorn down. Besides this, there are the various alterations in the beds and borders and the propagation of spring stock from cuttings, planting of bulba and hardy annuals must all now receive attention, thus crowding a considerable amount of necessary work into this month's operations. The general planting of trees and shrubs will also need to be commenced. Make final plantings of hardy spring flowering bulbs, such as single and double flowering anemones, ixias, babianas, sparixis, tulips, the different varieties of hyacinths, freesias, narcissus, of which there are a wide selection of sorts to choose from, montbrettias, tritomias, ranunculus, hardy varieties of gladiolus, cyclamens, etc. Finish top-dressing lawns and sowing additional seeds to renew the sward. Attend well to the mowing of lawns; the moist warm weather of the past few weeks has given a great impetus to the growth of the grass, which, if not kept short will tend to weaken the roots.

KITOHEN GARDEN. In this department also much demands immediate attention. Absonce of rain in the early part of the autumn delayed the usual sowings and plantings until almost too' lata for seedling crops of carrots, turnips, etc., to make a sufficiently early start, consequently they will require much more attention to keep the soil between the rows occasionally stirred and free from weeds, in order to hasten their growth before the cold weather sets in, The same will apply to other crops, such as cabbages, cauliflowers, lettuces, spinach, etc. Vegetables are likely to be scarce during' the coming winter unless we are favoured with mild growing weather during this and next month. Make a, sowing of onions to provide suitable plants for early spring transplanting. By sowing now the plants will not run to seed, as is the case with those put in earlier.

As the season for transplanting all kinds of trees and shrubs has now fairly started, a few practical hints upon the importance of caref lifting and planting tmy be useful to those about to engage in this work. To carry on the work of transplanting trees and shrubs with anything like success, it is of the first importance that every care should be taken to preserve the roots, for no matter how carefully the trees may be Slanted, if the roots have been mutilated y careless or unskilful lifting the tree receives a great check and often has a great struggle for bare life. In transplanting deciduous trees, whether it is fruit or other varieties it is not necessary that they should be lifted with a ball of earth unless

in the case of some very choice kind when no risk can be allowed. ■ To lift trees. well - the character of the roots of the different kinds must be -studied. The various aspects of the foliage and branches of trees and shrubs are familiar to all who take an interest in this culture—bub comparatively few are acquainted with the growth nnd character of the roots. : This experience ■ cannot be acquired except by those who have

been much engaged in the work of transplanting, bub it is of-much greater value to the'plahter, so far as success is concerned, than anything else. Theteisjiodoubt that bad lifting is the cause..of half.the failures that.take place, . On lifting with the view. of securing all tho roots, there is one rule which applies to all sorb;.whether large or, email; and that i* to begin 'by inserting the spade at a sufficiently wide radius from the stem of the tree or shrub, to work round in a circle, and togodnwn sufficiently deep to be below the roots before reducing the ball. A fork should then be used to remove the soil, as the roots are not so liable to be damaged.. Any roots that are bruised or damaged in lifting must be carefully cut off with A sharp knife. In transplanting evergreen trees and shrubs the safest plan is to prepare the trees some time before the season for planting. Small plants are prepared by cutting around them with a sharp spade a certain distance from' the stem, according to the size and growth of the plants treated, and lifting sufficiently to dislodge all roots. The soil should then be firmly trod and x the plants allowed to remain until well furnished with fibrous roots. Liige evergreen shrubs should have a trench dug oubaround the tree and all roots cut within a certain radius of the stem, varying in distance from the stem according to the size of the tree. After cutting all the roots -fill the trench with good soil. The returning sap will soon cause young fibrous roots to push forth, when the trees can be removed with perfect * safety. There are many varieties of evergreen shrubs that can be moved with safety without any preparation whatever, but, as already stated, one must be acquainted with the varieties and their habit of growth. In planting a good large hole shr;ild always be made, and the best soil obtainable used to cover the roots, ft should always be borne in mind that careful planting in the first place invariably brings success. Kotos,