THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13453, 1 June 1907, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

Owing to the prevalence of mild, warm weather throughout the autumn, and almost up to the end of May, deciduous trees and shrubs are only now ripening and shed- : ding their leaves. The gorgeous tints of : foliage- render many of the varieties con- ' spicuous objects, so much so that some of the rhus (or shumacs) might easily be mis- • taken in the distance for shrubs in full flower, owing to the brilliance of their autumn foliage. At all seasons of the Tear deciduous trees and shrubs form a pleasing contrast to evergreens, and add greatly to the beauties of the landscape, with their ever varying appearance. When l tastefully * arranged and planted, trees of this description relieve the monotony. For. this purpose the following may be recommended, being amongst the most conspicuous for their rich autumn tints. There are several varieties of oaks, Quercus eoccinea (the scarlet, oak) being the richest and brightest in colour. The leaves gradually assume brilliant red and scarlet hues, and hang on tho trees a long time before finally dropping. Quercus rubra (the red oak) is equally good. Liquidainber styraciflua (the sweet gum) is a beautiful variety, its maple-like leaves changing-, from bright green to various shades of yellow, crimson, and reddish purple. The foliage, as well as the stem and branches, of the golden ash assume a bright golden yellow appearance. Tho liiriodendron tulipifera's (the tulip tree) leaves turn a rich yellow before falling. Tho different varieties of rhus, notably R. glabra, are not gorgeous in appearance. Rhus succedaned (tho Chinese wax tree) is also most brilliant and unique. Salisburid adiantifolia / (the maiden hair tree of China) is most distinct, tho leaves turning a lovely, yellow. Lagerstrcema indica assumes brilliant crimson and yellow colours. The several varieties of asn, maples, elms, beeches, oaks, poplars, Taxodium distichum (the deciduous cypress of North America) and many of the varieties of fruit trees and others are all conspicuous objects when their leafage is maturing. Viburnum opulus (the guolderose) and otrer varieties of viburnum are also most attractive-. Amongst small growing fruit trees the Japanese persimmon, or date plum, cannot be surpassed - for ornamental planting, being a most valuable species for this purpose, "as well as for its fruits. When interspersed amongst the other subjects in the shrubbery ana in suitable positions in the mixed border it cannot but attract special notice, especially during the , late autumn, when small trees of persimmons may be seen laden with bright yellow and orange-coloured fruits, which often hang on until after the leaves have fallen, in summer tho foliage is of a bright glossy green, gradually changing in the autumn, previous to dropping, to various shades of jed, yellow, and crimson. Japanese plums

I also assume bright colours in their matur-1 ing barks. Amongst climbing plants; Arepekmsis, or Virginian creepers, are well known. They arc about the first to j turn colour. Thero arc also some varieties of Japanese climbers that are remarkable j ; for their leaf tints. Celastris arkicuiata is I highly ornamental with its bright yellow' foliage and yellow berries. Kadsura japo- j nica has handsome foliage. Japanese cher- j ries must also bo included in the lift. ' Crataegus are conspicuous, being laden with handsome berries, which bang on; after the foliage drops. ' THE VIXEttT. Work in this department is by no means lessened on account of the vines being stripped of their fruits, for as soon as the grapes are cut every effort, should be made to destroy any pests that infest the house, or that" attack the vines in any form. Now is the time to fumigate with cyanide of ! potassium, as it can bo applied at the full j strength without injury to the vines. All i leaves as they fall should be gathered up \ 'from time to time and burnt. This will destroy numbers of insects that would other- j I wise secrete themselves in tlio woodwork, or in the soil, i would again recommend ' the advisableness of covering the! i floor of the house with concrete or asphalt, so as to form a clean | inside floor, and prevent the possibility of ! insects hiding in this part of the house. Apart from this advantage, . it creates aj I much sweeter atmosphere, and enables the j grower to maintain a more even temperature. Vines that have been forced for early use will now have sufficiently ripened their wood to ailow of their being pruned with I safety. As soon as the leaves fall naturally this operation may be performed without! any risk of the vines bleeding. It is of the j greatest importance, however, that the wood j should be thoroughly well ripened, and it j i is better to lose a few weeks in the time of pruning than to attempt to grow good ; i grapes upon unripened wood. 1 am con- \ vinced sufficient attention is not given to j j this importnt matter by some growers, they j being too anxious to bo the first in the ! market, regardless of the risk and the ! condition and capabilities of the vines. j Probably no fruit grown is more heavily j taxed than the grape, or will continue to give better returns if carefully handled, and its requirements carefully studied and wants supplied. There are certainly few fail moro quickly under bad or unskilled! | treatment. Well" ripened vines seldom fiftil to produce good crops, and aro much more! 'easily managed and less liable to attacks of j disease. It is not necessarily those making; the strongest, lateral growth that are in the best condition for fruiting and producing the best grapes. Extra strong lateral growth is often the result of the roots rambling j beyond the prepared soil, getting into strong clayey, undrained land, with the result that, j though extra strong growth is made, the! wood that should be solid when ripe is- soft j and pithy, and is most, difficult to ripen. My advice to anyone having such growth ! is "to search out "the wandering roots and cut them back. A good plan is to open a j trench, where tlio prepared border terminates, and cut all roots back at this point, j The trench can safely be' left open, as it j will allow the air to penetrate, and greatly assists the vines in their work. IvEros.