THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11950, 26 April 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

Thk planting season is again almost upon us, consequently all evergreen trees and shrubs that are intended to be removed for transplanting elsewhere should lie carefully prepared. Those that are small are easily treated by wrenching, that is, digging a sharp spade down around them to cut the roots at a certain distance, and prising the plant lightly up to make sure that all the roots are freed. This operation is best performed by two men, one on each side of the plant. After prising the plant up tread the soil to again make it firm and exclude the air. It will soon recover the shock and begin to make young fibrous roots, and bo ready for finally transplanting in about three weeks' time. Wrenching should be done after a heavy rain, or during showery weather. In treating larger trees and shrubs a trench will require to be dug out, regulating the distance from the stein of the plant according to its size and variety. After digging the trench all round, and cutting the long, straggling roots, give the tree a cant over to out those that go down. When this is done place the tree in an upright position again, and refill with nice soil. 11l about a month's time fresh fibrous roots will have formed, which will keep the soil together in a ball, anil allow (ho tree to be transferred into its new quarters with safety. Some varieties of trees are much more difficult to transplant than others. In such cases it may be necessary to prepare the tree gradually by only digging a trench and cutting the roots on one side and underneath, allowing it to remain twelve months before treating the other side. Intending planters should now carefully note what varieties they contemplate planting, mark out the distances apart, and have the holes dug as soon as possible. The depth to dig and preparation will altogether depend upon the quality and texture of the land. In deep, light, friable, and alluvial soils little preparation is needed. .Merely dig a hole sufficiently Jeep and wide to admit the roots without bending them. But where the soil is shallow, and the subsoil clayey, or where there is a hard pan much more work will be necessary. Some of the clay sub-soil will have to be taken cut and replaced with good topsoil, and the hard pan will also require to be thoroughly broken to allow the roofs, when the plant or tree begins to grow, to penetrate. By preparing the holes now the subsoil will have ample time to sweeten before the planting commences. There are 'some species that require to be transplanted earlier than others, for instance, tree ferns, The earlisr they are attended to the better they will succeed. Tree ferns are amongst the most noble and elegant, of Nature's productions, and a leading feature of our landscape. Being natives of the country they will, with a little care and judgment in selecting suitable situations, grow ami flourish without much care or attention. They need shelter, and soil that is naturally fairly.' moist, or kept so by artificial waterings during very dry weather. THE ORCHARD.

Directions have already been given for the preparation of the soil, inn-king out, and digging of the holes in readiness for planting. The season for planting is now close at hand, so that everything should be in readiness for hastening on the work as soon as the trees can be removed with safety. The whole of the orchard should lie carefully marked out, selecting the most suitable sites for the different varieties to be planted. In the formation of a new orchard many things have to be considered, not only the soil and situation most suitable to the varieties planted, but also the very best and most profitable kinds that will succeed in the locality chosen. In planting, too, each varietv should be kept together as much as possible, viz., each separate variety of apples, pears, or other fruits, kept in the same rows. By this moans much labour is saved in picking, dressing the trees' for insect pests, etc., aa all trees do not require the

same treatment, and as some are more suft I coptible to the attacks of pests than other» The best time to plant is early in the au| turmi, or as soon as the trees are ready for! removal. The trees should be " planted 'as straight as possible, and ample boles dug to allow, of the trees being planted without in any way crowding the roots. Bad planting and bad after-cultivation is the cause of most failures. In planting the trees should be planted the same distance in the foil as they have previously been growing, but in all cases avoid deep planting. Trees arc often very slow in starting into growth from this ca ise. In very stiff soils it is even advisable to plant slightly above the surrounding surface, making a slight mound. In select). young trees choose only those that are thoroughly olden and well furnished with young, fibrous roots, and that have been trained with low heads. In planting spread the roots out evenly and cover with the beet soil obtainable, making the soil firm around the tree. Trees received from a distance should be immediately unpacked and placed in the ground until ready for planting. An old Indian adage is " Never let a crow see the roots of a tree," and if planters wero more careful to not expose the roofs | trees would take root and thrive much better, i In fact, good planting is essential to ensure success. ' I ANSWERS TO COEKESrONDEXTS.

" B.K."The tree yon refer to is evidently Sterculea accrifolia, the flame tree of Australia. When it flowers it is one of the most conspicuous and gorgeous trees in cultivation, and can be seen for miles. This species succeeds admirably here, but requires age before it flowers. A few weeks ago a tree growing in Mr. Owen's garden, on the Epsom side of Mount Eden, flowered profusely, and produced a magnificent spectacle. Ksros.