THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12070, 13 September 1902, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

-» Tup; propagation of chysanth.em.uiQ9 should now be attended to, either by taking off rooted suckers from the old plants or by cuttings taken from the young shoots and placed in a frame to strike. Those raised from cuttings are the most satisfactory. With the aid of a little bottom heat and careful attention to airing they soon take root, and are ready for boxing oft'. Dahlias also need attention. The old stools that were taken up for the winter should be carefully overhauled and placed in a frame to restart into growth and provide young stock for planting out early in November. Carefully arrange the varieties, reducing those that are large by taking off some of the. tubers. But, in every instance, see that the tubers arc- attached to the stem or crown. Many fail in restarting their dahlias thinking the tubers should grow from i yes like potatoes, and taking no pains to keep tlieiri attached to the stem. Cover the roots with some light, sandy soil, just leaving j i ii.' i-rowns bard. Close th« frame, and after ' a lew days water sparingly. The heat and moisture will soon cause them to start. As soon as the young .shoots are a few inches long they should be tali en off with a tuber or piece of the old crown to each. Where only a few of each are wanted the dividing will provide enough, but where large numbers of each sort are required cuttings must be taken and Ira placed in pots plunged in bottom heat. ; Instructions have already been given about making a hotbed, which will be found invaluable at this season, in connection with the garden, not only in the striking of cuttings, but also in raising of seeds. With a little experience in the management of a hotbed splendid results may be achieved. Do not put any plants or seeds in until the tierce beat has passed away, otherwise they will bo scalded. And pay particular attention to giving plenty of top-ventilation. Shade the glass during very bright, sunny days. The sudden changes in the temperature experienced this week is just what, may be ex- ; peeled during September. The heavy frost i this week and bitter cold winds should be sufficient warning against planting indiscriminately both hardy and tender plants. THE KITCHEN GARDEN. The weather during the week has been exceedingly variable sometimes—very cold, at others warm and mild. There was quite a heavy frost on Tuesday night, which damaged the foliage ot potatoes in exposed, open situations, and destroyed newly-planted tomato plants that were left unprotected. It is too early to plant tomatoes by at least ten days or a fortnight. There is nothing to bo gained by such curly plantings. Those put out at the middle or end of this month will be quite soon_ enough. Notwithstanding repeated warnings planting out of season seems to have a peculiar fascination. The copious and welcome rains tins week have bad a beneficial effect upon the various crops. A good .soaking was much needed, as the soil had become dry. THE ORCHARD. The weather still continues all that could be desired for carrying on the necessary spring work of this department. The exceptionally mild season has had the effect ol starting most varieties of trees into growth much earlier than usual, la warm situations some varieties were in blossom quite early in August, while at the present : time most varieties are covered with flower, and so far look most promising. Many of the ! Japanese plums, too, are a sheet of bios- i som, part.icla.rly the varieties Hale, October : P.nrpfo Doris, Sujtan, and many others. <

Burbanks, though showing ply c flower ara wit so dense with blossom it, . season This is no ■'I*.! to the prot?„„. _-_! This is no doubt duo to the pror. " _ „___« 1 iii tl • ■ tons (Tons produced last season. It is smci, to j )f} hoped that the weather will contiif-,, nr> able until the fruit is set. Tho flea- _■• rr . ging, and manuring of the orchard sfej fa I completed a* soon a? possible. All Sh_ r( j trees are benefited by some mammal ..j,* 1 mice at the time of flowering—part ici.i.. j trees that have been fruiting for some ye,. | Assistance given at. this time strengthens a,i i develops better blossom, so that more pcrfe. ! fertilisation results, and letter crops are a*J sured. A few weeks ago I recommended the grafting of all stone fruits Intended for renewal. These should now be completed as quickly as possible. Apples and pears, a3 already stated, can be worked with safety tip to the- end of this month, although owing to the mild, early season the stocks are now in good condition fo. grafting. But whatever time the grafting' is done it is most, important that the scions are secured while dormant, and kept in that condition until the grafting is performed. Trees that were budded during the summer .should now be headed back to the bud, and where any of tho buds had failed, particularly those required to form a shapely tree, insert a graft of the same variety. All newly-planted trees that are at all exposed to the prevailing winds should be securely staked before they start into growth. Much damage is often done to plants that are left unstakod, as the young fibrous roots that form soon after planting are broken by the swaying of the trees. Late-planted trees should, in all cafes, be well mulched. If this is clone before the dry weather sets in evaporation is checked. and the moisture at the roots retained. ANSWERS TO COBHESPOXDEXT3. W.N.: Fowl manure in the crude state is much too powerful for general use in the garden. It should be mixed with about live times its bulk of loamy or charred soil. Thus prepared, it may bo used as a topdressing by spreading the compost lightly and evenly over the surface, and hoeing or raking it in. Scattered along near the rows of growing crops and chipped in its fertilising properties are soon apparent. Your system of collecting the fowl manure every few days and mixing it with wood ashes is a good one. If kept in a fairly dry place the strength of this manure is retained for years. It should he at least six months old before using. Fowl manure in the liquid state, well diluted, is a strong stimulant. C.W.IJ. (Stratford): Rhubarb roots raised irom seeds have a tendency to throw up flower stalks the second year. The flower steins should 'he broken off as soon as they are discovered. When this is done the plants will not be much impaired. 'Much depends upon the strain of seed that has been selected

Seeds saved from young stools would be more likely to throw flower stalks than those saved from older roots. Topi)'a Winter rhubarb invariably runs to seed during tho summer months. The seeding does not appear to materially affect the supply for plucking during the following winter. KEI'OS,