THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14375, 21 May 1910, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

The weather during the -week has been most favourable for f : gardening operations. The beds and borders should receive a general overhaul, digging or forking over those which are at all weedy, and turning the weeds down. By this treatment they will present a clean, tidy appearance, and be ready for the reception of hardy annuals and, other small plants for early spring dowering. Cyclamens may still be planted;: of all email growing plants for winter and spring decoration of the garden, '",_ these are' amongst the most useful and showy. They are of easy culture, and t with < a moderate* amount 'of care produce the utmost - profusion of bloom. %The r leaves,"? too, are prettily shaped arid ! marked, and - contrast' with the flowers, which range in colour from pure white to darkest * crimson; ; being ~' of extremely- dwarf habit, they should be planted in small beds or arranged near the : edges *of the beds "or borders. , They * succeed best"", in moderately light well-drained soils, and to attain, perfection require a liberal supply of well-rotted . manures, cow manure ' being the best. . Pansies are good associates, and may be planted alternately'; with cyclamens.' Both produce a; most pleasing display when in full: bloom/: Neraesias are a grand addition to hardy annuals, now being _ a good • time, to plant ';'; for early flowering. Cinerarias are useful plants for sheltered situations. They require -to be grown in soils well , enriched with stable manure, and produce V'the!'. beet effect massed ?in separate beds. Select strong hardy plants. Protection must be afforded from frosts. , An empty flower-; pot placed over each - plant during frosty? nights is an easy means for keeping off the frosts. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Stet, Northcote.—Persimmons - invariably drop a large percentage of their fruits a few weeks after setting.; There is no apparent reason for their falling-off. .It does not . happen : ; so much as the trues become older, or after the fruits have developed. Persimmons fruit best in a sunny situation, and where sheltered from the southerly winds. Probably your tree will carry more of its fruits to maturity when older. , '*' W.R., Hamilton.—Con vol is a diff cult weed to get rid of, especially in clay soils, as every little piece '■■ of root will grow. The only effective means is to thoroughly work the land in the summer by deep ploughing and grub harrowing, after the furrows have been turned over '■ a few weeks. Don't disc harrow, as this only cuts the roots into small pieces, and makes it more prolific. After two lor • * three ploughings and harrowings during 1 the hottest weather, very little will remain. Lime will not kill it. - INQUIRER, Puriri.—Any time during the months of June, July, and August is suitable to plant eleagnus cuttings. Make the cuttings about 15in long, and ~ select them from the long straight shoots, insert them 6in deep in soil that has been dug over. HEDGE, Thames.—Coprosma BaUeri is difficult to strike from cutting 3, and is not worth the trouble of trying, as it can easily he raised .from seeds. There "is no need to' soak. the seeds before sowing. . F.H.. "Westport.—-Apple leaves are somewhat dried up to detect blight affecting them, but from their appearance; red spider is- probably the cause of the trouble. A winter dressing with the ; lime, sulphur, and salt solution should be applied this will effectually .destroy any eggs that are in the branches and dormant buds. A further dressing should be applied early next summer, when the trees are in growth," using McDsugall's insecticide ! or other well-known remedy. Root fungus causes the leaves to wither and the branches and bark to phrivel and die, the roots rot, and the tree can easily be pulled up. Do not plant another tree, in the .same place until the fungus germs have been destroyed by the free use of lime and sulphur mixed with the soil. " : . '-" H. 8.. Wanganui.— Muscat Hamburgh and Madresfleld Court are two good black grapes that ripen after Black Hamburgh, and are suitable for an unhealed , vinery. Mrs.Pearson is a good late white. Black Alicante is another valuable late variety that succeeds well in a cool house." 8.C.. Stanley Point.—Williams's , Bon. Chretien, or Bartlett, pear is one of those varieties" that takes a long time before commencing .to • bear, especially'. when th» trees are growing-vigorously. They should, however, .commence bearing after beinir planted eight years. Your best plan wilt be to root, prune, arid moderately prune the tree. ■■<,■-■ , ' - r " AMATEUE," Napier—Sh?.U answer your inquiry, in next week's notes J.W., Cnehunga: The decay of the berries is cau&ed by excess of moisture and low temperature in the house. It is almost useless to attempt to keep \ fruits upon the vines late. in the season, , unless the means are at hand to maintain conditions-that will prevent decay and consequent loss of fruit. One of the most important things in grape culture i 3 to have the, fruit thoroughly well coloured before the cold weather sets in. and it is almost useless to attempt to hang unripe or badly % coloured Bruit after ■ the moist, cold weather sets in. Few houses are • constructed with the view of preventing excess ; of moisture, the floors in most instances being loose, wet soil, from which excessive evaporation takes placo just at a time when a dry atmosphere '■; is neoded. This • could be iin a very great measure prevented by having the floor of * the house covered with ooncrete or well laid with; tar and" sand. By S this;; means the temperature i could be better regulated, and what is of equal importnace is its cleanliness and assistance in keeping down insect posts. >':• I should advise cutting the fruit at : once, and opening the house to assist in ripening the wood as well as possible before the , time: of pruning. \ Kepos.