THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10413, 10 April 1897, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

Thk committee of the Auckland Chrysanthemum Society havo acted wisely in postponing the (Into of show, which ia now arranged to be held next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday instead of during the present week as previously arranged. The oxtca five days will mako a wonderful difference in the development of the blooms and enable intending exhibitors to stage twice the number of blooms they could hare done had the echodulo date been adhered to. Instead of aportial success the alteration will make it assured and afford visitors a floral treat of the highest merit. As & rule alterations from fixed schedule datee cause dissatisfaction, but under the presenb circumstances the change is agreeable to all growers. Those who have grown chrysanthemums in and around our city or taken an interest in their cultivation since the start of our prosent sooiety, have agreed that from the 10th to the 15th of the present month may bo reckoned upon for the largeaf and best display of show blooms. The regularity with which the plants bloom no matter when planted and how treated is a remarkable fact, and one that should not be lost sight of in future fixtures. The splendid weather we aro now having is most favourable for gardening operations, and the grand display of flowers that everywhere greeta the eye is most pleasing. Dahlias are the utmost profusion of blossoms. Cosmea presenb a wealth of bloom, the size and health of the plant) being remarkable. The new large-flowered varieties are a great advance upon the original strains. The fine weather has given a chance to have the garden thoroughly gone over for the purpose of hoeing up and destroying weeds, u very necessary operation during the late autumn. Alterations and improvements may now be gone on with. Tho re-gravelling of walks and drives should also be attended to and nob deferred as is too often the case until the rainy season is upon us. The completion of lawne that are in course of construction should be hurried on as quickly as possible, in order to have the seed sown and give id time to germinate and make good growth before the colder weather sets in. The top dressing or old lawns by tho addition by a little fresh compost) should also receive immediate attention. After applying the top dressing and carefully levelling to produce a smooth, even, and perfectly level surface, sow a little fresh seed and lightly rake it in.

KITCHEN (JAKDEM, All spare time should now be devoted to general improvements, and in the preparation of the soil for future cropping. A few weeks ago attention was drawn to the necessity of deep digging and trenching those parts of tbe kitchen garden that bad become worn out and exhausted by cropping year after year, and only cultivating to the depth ot the spade, properly trenching and thoroughly manuring will bring such land into a bettor state of cultivation than ever. Under-draining is also a very necessary undertaking at this season, and quite essential in the proper treatment of clay soils. It often happens that the drains have been badly constructed in the first place, and are ineffectual, or that they have become choked by the roots of trees petting into and filling up the pipes, and rendering them inoperative. All such will require to be re-opened out, and the pipes lifted and cleaned out. It ie a bad practice to have willow trees growing anywhere near to the drains, as the roots are sore to find their way into the pipes, and soon choke them,

HYDROCYANIC GAS, ■■ The lamentable fatal accident that happened to > gardener while fumigating a vinery in Remuera last week should act as a warning to those who adopt this means of destroying bug and other insect pests. fining frequently advocated the use of this material, and having been most careful io giving fall instructions how best to perform the operation without) any risk of inhaling its deadly fumes, I much regret the above sad occurrence, and' would farther warn all who contemplate using this meani of destroying insects, to be most careful in naing it. If the directions thab have been given from timo to time in these columns had been followed, it would be almost impossible for such an accident to have occurred. The system of fumigation recommended by me hag been for years succeesfully performed in the vineries of the Hon. E. Mitchelson, of Remuera, by Mr. Jonei, tbe head gardeuer,

who has by its use almost entirely eradicated the bug from his vine?. I aßain j repeat what I have recommended from time to time. To every 200 feet of space a plate containing 2oz of sulphuric acid in 6oz of ! water should be placed ; immediately above j this a vessel containing Hoz oE cyanide of | potissium should be so arranged that tho contents may be turned into the plato without the operator having to go into the house, Tho best and most simple plan is to hare » number oi small wooden boxes permanently arranged along the front mid back of the house, each box bavin? a false or sliding bottom with a wire attached and taken to the outside. 1» this is placed tho cyanide and immediately below is a soup plate containing the sulphuric acid and water. When all is arranged tho operator from the outside simply pulls the wire and the work is done. By this means there is absolutely no risk. ANSWERS TO CORRESrONDE.NTS. " \V. S. C," Mount Eden.—ln reply to your numerous querie?: 1. How to propagate "euforgia." I presume you alludo to euphorbia. There are several varieties, but tho two commonly known here are B. splendens and E. jaguiniflora. Tho first named is pretty hardy, and succeeds well in tho open border. It propagates freely from cuttings inserted ill suiidy soil in small pots, ahd placed in a dry airy situation. The thorns of this variety are very poisonous, and require careful handling. The latter variety is a ten ler greenhouse plant, and requires artificial heat to propagate it successfully. Young cuttings inserted in sandy soil, and plunged in ft brisk bottom heat, will striko freely. * 2. 'lhe yellow flower you allude to ia itho Sternbergia tutea. 2. Six best camellias are difficult to select, tastes differ as to colour and variety. I select the following, Bonomiana, Matlioliana, Wrightii Timbriata, Alba, C. H. Hovey, and Lady St. Clair. 4. The best six amaryllis I cannot name, as the best I have seen here have been raised from imported seed. 5. Narcissus flower better whon planted and grown in soil that has not been too heavily manured. 6. The Portugal is certainly the best flavoured of all the quinces, though some of the new varieties may prove better when properly tested. 7. You can remove a twelve-yoar old Irish poach apple tree with perfect safety, but do not think it would repay you for the l.rouble and expense incurred; far better plant a young tree. If you decide to transplant) do so next month. Kefos.