THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11692, 29 June 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

The recent exceptionally cold nights and severe frosts have completely depleted the garden of flowers, and considerably damaged the foliage of all tender shrubs and other plants, affecting several that have proved hardy in our local gardens. The foliage of bouvardias, heliotropes, lantanas, scarlet hibiscus, brugmansias, etc., has been completely blackened. jln excellent opportunity lias been given for noting down for future guidance those, varieties that ore not able to withstand such a severe test. The destruction amongst cinerarias is great. In many instances tho beds will require to be replanted, or lose a season. Growers of cinerarias should always be prepared for frosty weather, and liavo scrim or other suitable material ready to cover their plants. Pansies are thoroughly. hardy, and a good substitute to fill vacancies with. They continue in'bloom longer, and invariably give good results, provided the soil has been well enriched with manure previous to planting them. Cyclamens are also very hardy, aird extremely showy. Flowering dwarfgrowing plants, antirrhinums and ponstemons, are also suitable for winter planting. Frequent attention is drawn in these columns tc the planting of tender annuals and other subjects out of season. None but the hardiest are able to withstand the wet and cold of tho winter season. The wet is often more injurious than tiio cold. Al"frays dofer planting to more delicate and tender subjects until about tho middle of October. Results will then bo satisfactory. The recent frosts liave greatly benefited the soil, and checked tho rank growth of weeds. Planting operations must be proceeded with. All varieties of trees and shrubs may now bo transplanted with safety. ' Attention should also be paid to the planting of hedges, both for shelter and ornament. Various shrub's and plants are suitable for hedges. The greater the diversity tho mbro pleasing tho eifect. As a rule, there is too much inclination on the part of planters to plant the one variety, inporting too much sameness to one's gardens and grounds. The eheagnus is certainly a most desirable and useful hardy plant for hedges. It will adapt iteclf to almost any soil, and withstands the strong sea breezes. Hedges of elajagnus may be greatly relieved by intermixing ligustrums, tho scarletflowered Tecoma cupensis, and honeysuckles with it. The rampant-growing climbing roses produce a pretty effect in tho hedgorow. For this purpose the ramblers, bankaias, Samarquo, Annie Vibert, China roses, eie., should be selected. Some of the varieties of bamboos are good for shelter and ornamental hedges, and useful in supplying suitable canes for staking garden plants. THE KITCHEN GARDEN. ' Recent severe frosts have wrought sad havoc with any potatoes that happened to ho above ground. Very few have escaped. Even in the most favourable and sheltered situations tho tops have been blackened. A patch of potatoes may often be saved from tho effects of frost by syringing or watering the foliage early in the morning, before tho sun comos upon them. The tops being destroyed tho tubers cannot develop further. Any that there are should bo dug up for immediate uso. TRANSPLANTING. Transplanting operations being now in., full swing,.ai(^:Aisefi4.lniite.uiioa,tb« ibos^"" .% • , / ■; . . . V : V , ' ; : v. ; : -• ■ U

most. successful method "of _ treating V young trees'may "be of great assistance J, to ■ those who have to engago in the work, and save 'much future trouble and; disappointment, for, although planting is' a simple operation, ■the success or failure of; the trees depends in a very great, measure upon-the treatment they receivo at the time of planting. Thousands qf trees ' are lost ; each season through not giving suflieiorit, ■ attei'iion _to their _ requirements at the time of Ranting, and it is '.a common sight to see-trees that have been planted in soils that havo had no preparation, and in holes scarcely, large, enough to receive the roots? without cramping. {One of the most important matters is to have the soil thoroughly worked ' and sweetened before starting to plant. If the surface soil is of poor quality or of a stiff clay natui > it should be removed, and a hole eighteen inches deep and from five to six feet wide should bo dug out ami filled with the best soil obtainable. It should be borne in mind that the roots of nearly every trans-; planted trees are more or less mutilated in the lifting, and require some good material in which to start fresh roots. A well-planted tree soon bee;-. "'is established, and makes good growth tiv first year, if theseason is at all favourable. Another very important matter is to ensure a free outlet for surplus water, as no tree can thrive, no matter how carefully planted, if the soil becomes sodden and soured by an excess of moisture at tho roots. One of the surest indications of excess of moisture is that the . trees become stagnated in growth,' and when moss and other lichens grow on the ■ branches. Where the, land is undulating this can be remedied by digging a trench on the lowest side of each hole, so that no water can lodge in it. In manuring for young trees, well decomposed stable manure is the best to incorporate with tho soil, but in no case should any strong manure bo allowed to come into contact with the roots, as the roots are sure to be cut to some extent in lifting, and can. derive no benefit until fresh growth is made. In planting, cover the roots with the best soil obtainable, and keep the manure a little away from then, so that when fresh roots are made they are strong enough to absorb soma of tho material applied. The earner tho trees are planted in the season the better it will be for them, as they, soon commence to make fresh roots and become well established. In -planting, select healthy _ trees with well ripened; growth, and that are well furnished with healthy fibrous roots. The best plants are those that have been stopped back to about the height of the knee, as they are furnished with a shapely head. Even then the branches should _bo shortened well back when planted, as they form a much better and morcr shapely tree after the .first seasons growth- UUttillg back is too often neglected, and is the cause of so many failures and unsightly, specimens. The pruning should always be done with the view of forming a shapely head, always cutting to a bud that is pointing in the direction that tho branch is wanted to grow. This applies to nearly all trees, but more particularly to the peach and trees.