THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14453, 20 August 1910, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

Evidences of spring are everywhere apparent throughout tho garden and grounds. Deciduous trees and shrubs are swelling t.hcir buds preparatory to bursting inio growth. Evergreens are moro backward than usual at this season, no doubt owing to excessive moisture during the winter, which has kept the soil wet and cold. Violets and tho early-flowering varieties of daffodils are a profusion of blooms. Primroses, the natural harbingers of spring, are also beginning to blossom. Grass is growing freely, necessitating weekly mowing of lawns and rolling where the land is thoroughly well drained and the surface in fit condition. Much harm may be clone to recently laid down lawns by over-rolling Pruning should now all bo completed, and tho digging of the beds and borders proceeded with. This operation has, however, been greatly interefered with owing to the wet condition of tho soil and moist atmosphere. It will take somo considerable time before the garden and grounds can be properly gone over and thoroughly tidied tip. Hitherto the weeds have all had to be dug under or pulled out with the hands, as the surface soil has never been dry enough for hoeing since June 20 last. With the end of August approaching, surely a change for tho better should be expected. Without the aid of the boo keeping weeds down and a tidy appearance is a slow process. Liming, to sweeten the soil and check insects, has also been inadmissible. To apply lime on a wot surface frequently does more harm t.hau good. Trees and shrubs planted throughout the winter have had an excellently favourable time to become established in their new quarters, owing to the comparatively mild, moist atmosphere and freedom from winds; consequently there are but. few failures to report. Precaution should bo taken to have those that require it staked, this being essential to prevent those iii exposed positions being injured bv the spring winds; and as soon as the soil is drier chipping tho surface immediately around them will be necessary, as it is likely to become hard and crack after two or three weeks' fine weather. The planting of hardy annuals and biennials must be attended to according to circumstances. Defer tho planting if the soil iis not in tit condition for their reception.

TUE KITCHEN GARDEN*. Sowings of peas, carrots, turnips, onions, parsnips, radishes, mustard, cress, spinach, and a pinch of lettuce, should under ordinary conditions have already been made. But in most instances it lias been almost impossible to do so, the land having heen unfit for working and bringing into a pro]>er state for the reception of cither seeds or plants. Better defer sowings until conditions are more favourable. Continuance of moist weather without any sufficient break from about the middle 'of June to the time of writing has prevented the necessary preparation and treatment, of hcavv land for cropping. With light, volcanic and satidv and other free-working soils it is different, as they may be manured and dug at any time throughout, the winter, and either sown or planted after the lapse of two or three fine days. Sowings may Ik* made 'of nearly all the varieties of vegetables at this season, French or kidney beans excepted.

GRAFTING FRUIT TRKKS. The present in a suitable time for grafting many varieties of fruit trees, particularly peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries, and other stone fruits. The sap in some of these varieties is already active, and thev should be worked with as little delay as possible. The scions, if taken off as suggested when pruning tho trees, will be in a dormant condition, and take more readily than when taken from tho trees when the grafting is done. Trees that, have been marked out. for grafting should first, be headed back, regulating the branches for grafting so that a well-sha-yed tree will be produced. Tho number of grafts to be insetted in each branch must, of course, bo regulated by the size and thickness of' tho stock. With small branches, where the scion and stock are nearly of uniform size, one graft is sufficient. If, on the other hand, the branches are large, two or even three scions may be inserted in each. By this means tho chances of success are enhanced, while if more take than is required to form a shapely tree they can easily bo removed. The method of grafting, too, will depend upon the size of the stock to be worked. When the scion and stock aro any way near a uniform si::e, whip or tongue grafting is the best. If, on the other hand, the branches are large, rindgrafting is tho simplest and best method, and makes a much better union than wedge grafting on large stocks. Thero are, of course, various modes of grafting that can be performed with reasonable success by any person experienced in tho work, but as these notes are intended more particularly to assist the more inexperienced, thev are confined chiefly to the most simple methods. In whip (or tongue) grafting a smooth, upward cut is made in the stock, about ono and a-half inches in length, and a corresponding cut of tho same length in tho sciou, but both the sciou and stock

must bo cut so (hat they havo & smooth, well-fitting surface. A slit j» th made in the stock about a quarter or : inch from the top, and a ' \ one in tho scion. This, when firmly v serted in the stock, forms a tongue / n n I grips firmly. The grafts must be' sccurcly. and the wound carefully cove-oil with grafting wax or prepared clay. p v ; n ? grafting can only be performed when 1 sap is sufficiently active to allow the bit to bo raised without much effort, Wh tho branches are largo and tho bark thicV a smooth upward cut is made in the scion similar to that mado in whin-grafting K, I • without the tongue. A slit is then madr iin tho top of tho stock, and the bark cam! Sully raised on one side only. A small nor. tion of tho bark should bo removed from the scion, so that when inserted it butt closely to the unraised back of tli« stock. By this means a cleaner and better union is attained than when both sides o| tho bark are raised. KEPO3