THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11986, 7 June 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

:,.:.,.,,,,.,...,. " ;- —.■■,]• 1 ♦ ' ./.... .:- .. /.., *.- !•---.-'-■: The welcome change in the weather has at last afforded a splendid opportunity to: get rid of some of the iweeds and to tidy up the flower-beds and]borders. The most of the leaves will now have fallen from the different'. varieties of deciduous trees arid shrubs, consequently from; this ' on the garden and grounds may be made more presentable/ Always make it a rule to dig in all fallen leaves, or to collect ,- them for the purpose of making leaf-mould When properly decayed this is a most valuable compost for I incorporating in the soil where azaleas, rho- [ dodendrons, : kalmias, and many other 'finerooted, hard-wooded plants are grown. Nothing is better adapted for improving flowerbeds ; op for adding to the soil, around those; trees,, shrubs, . and other plants whose roots it is desired to encourage. The quality of -mould depends very materially, upon the sort of leaves composing it,.and in the manner of preparation. /; Oak leaves are amongst the ! best. : In gathering up the leaves pick out ' all sticks and branches, as these are likely to encourage growth of fungoids, which would render it useless for plant cultivation. ] The leaves should not be piled up too thickly, . but spread out to exposure to: the weather, and occasionally turned over. In dry weather keeping them moist by, artificial waterings would hasten their decomposition. '/ Where a "\ number of deciduous trees are growing a 1 supply of leaf-mould can always be provided for. Transplanting operations should now be. in full swing. Trees, shrubs, and other permanent plants may j now be removed with safety. Rosea ; should be planted early in order to allow the plants to become pro-j perly established for flowering during: the ■ coming season. The rose is probably the; most prized of all the plants in our gardens; j certainly none are more charming. Our. climate,, top, js 50 admirably adapted for; growing all sections of the rose family to the highest degree of : excellence h and satisfaction that none of the varieties I require pro- i tection during the winter to preserve them against frosts. The most delicate will withstand our severest winters. For garden decoration the varieties belonging to 1 the tea section are the most- esteemed, as they continue* blooming for so long a period and com-; prise such lovely and most distinct and delicate shades of colours, frpm the purest of ', whites to the richest pf deep .gulden yellows. Tlie list of"hybrid tearoses has of late years greatly increased in accordance with the popular demand. For show purposes the hybrid perpetual section is still indispensable, as they produce the largest and [ finest - formed blooms arid rioh, dark colours that are not to be found in any of the others. Roses sue-; peed best in strong, clayey soils. Where the soil is very light . loamy clay' should be added. The best plants to select are those with short 1 stems; that is, those worked low down so that the'roots may be kept near the surface. •'•" In planting place the roots sufficiently deep that the soil just covers the union of stock and ■ scion. ::/ Tender plants, such as cinerarias, f ;eto.; must be /carefully.,watched and protected against', frosts at this : season. ' A slight covering is sufficient 1 to keep /off frosts. ; / "/; /' "// ■';'/ : ' ",V " .;•.,' , ,// ~ , /;TiJE,VINEBT ? " v ..'""" " Seasonable work ip this 'department.should now be well forward; for although the weather for some time past has beep so unfavourable for outdoor operations it has afforded every : opportunity for attending to inside requirements. Tlie success, too, attending the efforts of i the cultivator of the vines depends in f a very great measure upon his treatment during; the rest season of the vines. For iri addition to pruning, clearing, and dressing ; the vines by "pp meaps, /the least important I operation is that of thoroughly clearing the -house.;: Jn a genial climate suoh as we have insect pests abound, and are more or less active at all '"seasons 01 the year. In the l vinery ■ • that dread pest, the * mealy bug. is by far the most troublesome and most difficult to eradicate. But ' it :- is >■ during the >■ winter, ; when . the vines are in a dormant condition, that the strongest measures ; cap, be used without the risk of injuring the vines. Every crevice, and the whole inside pf , the house, can be thoroughly cleaned and washed with strong insecticide, so as to destroy any insects or fungoid gexma that may be secreted in the : ;■*'

woodwork of tlw house. //The cleaning of the woodwork v should not, of course, be done until * after;; the I prunipg if completed, ,;, 1 his pruning/should be ' done immediately the sap has returned. The safest plan, as frequently pointed out in these columns, is to cut back one the lowest laterals -on each vine before starting the general pruning, and if no bleeding take* place after a few hours ' they may be pruned pith safety. y If on the other , hand sap ; exudes, from .the wound allow them to remain for a time. This, however,* is the safest method for the /inexperienced to adopt, and may save failure and disappointment. <? In A priming cut; back the laterals leaving on each two of j the strongest eyes at: the base of the /shoots.. This is by • far the -safest' plan, as by leaving two buds a more regular and even crop js secured, and there is less risk of, having blind spurs. Al- j though two eyes are left does not neces- j sarily follow that both shoots must he allowed to /grow from each lateral.'/' But the two j should be allowed;to start until the strongest j and the most promising can be secured, then j the weaker can be stopped back or removed. As soon as the pruning is completed all ■ the loose bark should be removed from the canes. This can be easily removed with the hand without having recourse to scraping with the knife, as/ there is great;risk of. wounding the inner bark unless the knife is very/carefully used. Large numbers of vines have; been practically destroyed by hard scraping, frequently cutting through the bark and then dressing them with some strong solution. After removing the looseTbark .thoroughly paint the vines. with some effective insecticide. Solutions for this purpose may be obtained from any of- the local seedsmen, with full directions for use. After painting remove all; debris, aud even the surface soil is better removed and replaced with clean, fresh material. ■-■ ■ ':'- : ' ~- -':-'/"- '-" /Kepos.