THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12818, 18 March 1905, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

EVEBTTHIKO in the garden is suffering more or less for the want of good soaking rain. Frequent waterings are absolutely necessary to keep tho plants in good condition. Dahlias require abundance of moisture at this season ; when they are in full bloom they should also be well mulched with manure. Fortunately the dews aro heavy and nights longer ana beautifully mild, which freshens u\ the foliage of all plants and enables them to withstand the drought better than they otherwise, would. Now is a good time to note down those varieties of plants that succeed best during dry weather. Petunias arc splendid dry weather subjects and perennial delphiniums, gaillardias, portulaccas, cannas, Phlox Drummondii, African and French marigolds, perennial or everlasting peas, anddianthus are all excellent subjects for tho hot, dry summer months. The present is a slack time in the garden. Weeds have not had much chance to grow, consequently the opportunity to carry on the trenching and manuring of those portions of the garden that are available and need treating in this manner should he taken advantage of. The top-dressing of lawns may bo commenced, also repairing and renovating tho different walks and paths to havo them in good order and condition before the weather breaks. Few things contribute more to the appearance and pleasure of getting about tho garden as well laid and properly kept walks. They should be made to be used in all weathers without discomfort. Walks that there is much traffic upon require to be well made with a good solid foundation of rough scoria or gravel. The next consideration will be the material best suited for tho surface. Fine gravel or nice shells, mixed with small pebbles, look the best, but require frequent attention to weeding and raking; heavy flushes of rain too are liable to wash some of the loose material off. Tarring and sanding the surface of the walks has come greatly into vogue. This mode is to be commended. There are many important, points in its favour, namely, absence <>t weeds and durability, cleanliness at all times, and comparative safety against heavy rains. The cost of making and materials is also in its favour. A good, firm foundation is necessary to mako a permanent surface and keep tho material from cracking and breaking into boles. After brushing the tar on top-dress with nice, broken shells and sand sold for the purpose. In the construction of all walks or paths tho centre should be .-lightly raised, in order to give the rain water a proper fall to the sides; and where the incline is steep and the run of water is likely to be considerable the sides of the walks should be edged with drain tiles that are made for the purpose. This precaution prevents the storm water from overflowing on to the beds and washing portion of the

soil away. Walks .in j the. kitchen garden should afso be attended to. They are too often neglected, not even being gravelled. Much more, might be done in the kitchen garden during wet and showery weather if the walks were in better condition for getting about, upon them. The laying of gardens or edging tiles should be attended to dining the autumn. There are various patterns of tiles, the rope tile probably being the neatest,, best, and most durable. The work mtist be well done, care being taken to have the. curves properly brought out; and the levels on cither side correctly taken. To make tin work permanent and prevent the files from getting out of place they should be set in, concrete or cement. It will repay the extra labour and cost.

THE OriCIIAKD. In the preparation of the soil for treeplanting o*llo of the most important matters requiring attention is to have the land well drained. Good drainage is an important factor in the productiveness of the soil. This too not only applies to orchard trees fcut to any horticultural and agricultural ■crops. Trees, however, will not succeed for any length of time in stiff, uudrained soil. Unfortunately the want of drainage is apparent in too many orchards, when the trees have become stagnant and covered with moss, while the fruit that is produced is small, of irregular shape, and of very poor quality. All lands, of course, do not require artificial draining, such, for instance, as scoria or lands of a loose, stony or sandy character. Such soil.-', however, are not often chosen for general fruit culture, as many varieties grow and produce better crops and finer fuifc in more retentive soils, but there must be free outlet for superfluous water. Water, if allowed to stagnate either on the surface or at a certain depth beneath, becomes injurious to vegetation, and crops are soon rendered unprofitable if not quite valueless. Draining, apart from taking away all super fluous moisture, helps to convey to the roots some of the elements required to sustain healthy growth. Although drain tiles are naturally the best for this purpose there is little lack of other material if pipes are not procurable, as fairly stout timber well laid will make a good drain. In making a timber drain, however, the chief point to be observed is in cutting out the soil. Whatever depth is decided upon the width at the bottom should not be more than three inches, while the timber used should be large enough to jam firmly and leave a clear space below the. wood. The main drain, when practicable, should always bo left open, as it can then be seen whether the tributaries are doing their work satisfactorily. As stated in last week's notes, every necessary pre-paration-should be made before the season of planting, so (hat the work can be done with despatch when once started. Every detail should be carefully worked out, and above all do the work thoroughly and well. When the soil is of a stiff nature the holes should bfl dug as soon as possible, so that the soil can bo thoroughly sweetened by the time planting takes place. The mode of planting the various trees will depend in a great measure upon ho nature of the soil, the lay of the ground, and its tendency to become very wet in winter or too dry during the summer. Such matters should bo taken into consideration before the time of planting. If the soil is of a deep, porous nature, and not subject to the accumulation of cold, stagnant water, planting a little b?low the surface will produce the best results ; if, on the other hand, the soil is of a stiff, retentive nature, or in a low, moist situation, the roots should be placed level with th*> surrounding surface and moulded up with good soil. A well-planted tree very rarely fails to make good growth, while a badly planted tree, no matter how healthy and vigorous it may be at the time of planting, cannot thrive. IvEPOS.