THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12663, 17 September 1904, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. The magnificent display of cyclamen blooms exhibited at the recent Horticultural u Society's spring show, arranged on a separate table, comprised many thousands of blooms of the largest size and every variety and colour, from snow white to the darkest crimson. They were all gathered from plants grown outside, proving the adaptability of our climate and great value of cyclamens for winter and early spring flowers. Too much can scarcely be said in favour of .these charming dwarf-growing and extremely profuse flowering little plants. They are. suitable for planting along near the edges of flower beds and borders and on rockeries, or for introducing here and there along the edges of shady walks. Fair-sized bulbs planted out in the autumn produce an abundance of bloom the following winter and spring. During dry weather they should be mulched with manure and given good soakings of water. , They succeed best planted in a moderately cool, sheltered situation, and where partial shade is afforded the flowers la3t longer and keep their colour better. In addition to their flowers cyclamens are most attractive on account of their prettilymarked foliage. After once planting the bulbs or corms may be left in the ground, a mark being placed to each to denote their whereabouts when the leaves have died off. Cyclamens are not injured by slugs—another great recommendation in their favour. Anemones and ranunculi are now at their best, and make a most gorgeous display with their many and bright colours. Anemones will thrive in any ordinary garden soil, ,but succeed best where it is rich and well drained. The tubers should be planted in April or May, about two inches deep and six inoh.es apart. Arranged in beds or clumps, with a, good variety of colours, splendid effects may be produced. The varieties belonging to the St. Brigid section are the showiest and most popular. A visit to the Albert Park on a fine, bright morning affords a rare floral treat to lovers of these beautiful early-flowering favourites. Ranunculus are equally pretty and showy, but somewhat more difficult to grow. Hyacinths are sweetly pretty and well worth bestowing extra care * in their cultivation. The chief trouble in growing hyacinths is the partiality of slugs, which not only eat the foliage, but disfigure the flowe. stalks. Lawns at this season of the year n<3ed constant attention in the way of cutting the grass and rolling. THE KITCHEN GARDEN. ■ Seedling crops need particular care at this season to save them from slugs, which is a most difficult matter, as the frequent rains that we have had soon render lime useless ; besides, the ground ' is often too wet to tread upon. Under these circumstances failures are likely to oocur, and resowings will have to be made. Seed* of pumpkins and marrows may now be sown, and also cucumbers, selecting an early, warm situation for the latter. Pumpkins are generally sown upon land that has become overgrown with weeds and requires a rest. The planting of tomatoes is best deferred until the end of this month. The weather is so changeable that those put out early in the month suffer a severe check, and seldom properly recover. Being injured when young they do not start into healthy, vigorous growth, and are much more liable to suffer from fungoid growths than when planted later. ; THE VINERY.' : ... The season is again at hand when this department will need all the attention that can be given to it. The weather is all that can be desired for the production of good growth, and vines in particular quickly respond to such favourable climatic conditions. The latest started varieties at this stage require careful attention to ensure a nice, even break. As frequently mentioned mois-

tee is an important factor in starting vines, as a nice, f genial, moist atmosphere softens the buds and assists in securing an even, 'regular growth. The vines should not be tied up ' permanently to the trellis until all the buds have started,, as it frequently happens that the lower buds of some varieties do not start until the. upward flow, of sap is" in some measure checked by bending the main cane. On nd account should latestarted vines be forced into growth by keeping up too high a temperature, as strong, short-jointed growths can only be attained I by allowing the vines to start as naturally ; as possible, and without their being in any \ way excited by excess or fluctuations of temperature. The main thing in starling vines is" to secure strength of growth and a good show of fruit. Once this is attained the vines can" be forced on more rapidly with little'or no risk of failure. After sufficient growth has been made to determine the strongest ' and most promising lateral they must be disbudded, removing all weak or superfluous shoots that start around the- base of the spurs. These should be removed from time to time as they start. It is always advisable to leave two of,the strongest laterals grow until the most promising one is secured, as it frequently happens in tying to the trellis: that a lateral is broken, "no matter how carefully bundled. Blind spurs so frequently seen upon vines are the result of trusting to one lateral, whereas if two are allowed to grow until one at least lis secured it is always a simple matter to remove or shorten back one, if not required to fill up space. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Sigma": Ashes from Taupiri coal are injurious for the garden. The combination, of wood ashes is not sufficient to counteract the bad effects of the former. Better not use them, in any form. To thoroughly satisfy yourself make a practical test by mixing some Taupiri coal ashes in the soil and sow or plant and note results. _ The above only applies to Taupiri and similar coals. Some coals afford ashes that, although inferior to wood and vegetable ashes, are, like them, a valuable manure. / ; ; ' , j "Planter," Hoteo North: The name of j plant is Euonymus japonious latifolius aureo- j marginatus, more commonly designated Euonymus variegata, or variegated Euony"E.G.*" Ponsonby: Madame de Graaf (the giant white daffodil) is a great advance upon Emperor and Empress, and considered the best of the large trumpet section. The Rev G. H. Engleheart considers the trumpet daffodil as almost perfect, and regards it as a means for the production of better things in future hybridising. Kefos.