THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14853, 2 December 1911, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

Sweet peas follow closely in the wake of tho rose,cand are now ' the : flower of the hour and/the day. The cultivation of the sweet pea amongst the .civilised .races of the world has attained huge proportions. Specialists spare neither time nor money in their endeavour to;achieve the best, results. Marvellous developments in the size, form, and colours-of the flowers and' improved habit of growth are represented in the many splendid novelties that- all up-to-date growers have in their . collections.■ A,■■; visit, to the sweet pen show' and carnival now being held at the Metropolitan Grounds is a striking evidence of what can be. attained by proper cultivation ... and selection of varieties. Unfortunately,. adverse weather conditions; have given growers an anxious time and necessitated extra care in protecting the flowers from wind and rain. As a* decorative plant .the sweet pea is never out of place. They may be planted in the mixed border and shrubbery and also in the kitchen garden. The flowers, which . arc produced for several; months in succession., make the garden exceedingly.' gay. besides being so useful for cutting, for house decoration . and other • floral uses'. Carnations and picotees are also ;in' full bloom.- There are no hardy, : -flowering perennials more * deserving of' general cultivation. There is a- arming diversity and brilliancy of colouring- in the -flowers. Many of the sorts are deliciously perfumed, notably the clove-scented arid the more common Marguerite carnations. They ,;. are invaluable for.- buttonholes and for other purposes for which cut. flowers arc , used. Carnations are universal favourites. . With proper attention' they- are ' easily grown. Care must, however, •.; be taken in > early spring; to protect the young growths from slugs, and to apply a little lime and soot, lightly , forked .in : . around; the ■ plants, to sweeten the soil and destroy wircworms and other insects. Keep ,the flower stalks neatly tied up to light, -stakes? to prevent their coming-in-contact with the soil. Remove spent blooms, which will * prolong .the flowering and increase -the size >of those that are developing. All spaces in'the flower beds and borders should be filled up during the next ten days. The cold,', windy, and most unseasonable weather experienced throughout the past* month.-has .greatly, interfered with ordinary' planting operations and necessitated, much later planting .than usually prescribed. The nights hnvo been cold and changeable, consequently the more tender plants have; suffered and have'made but little growth. .Conditions have been unfavourable for.planting dahlias. However, a .'change must soon take place, when the planting of dahlias should bo (hurried on. ", and also : salvias, portulaccas, . phlox, celosias, zinnias, and ,'a few. other summer and autumn-flowering subjects. Phlox is the best of all annuals for the production of a prolonged display of bteom throughout the summer season. It has been too cold for bedding out altornantheras, iresines. coleus, amaranth\ts, and other ornamental foliage plants. Plant as soon as a change takes place. , ■■■.-. ■ , ■ " '.■"■■.■" : y The Orchard.

Seldom, indeed, have horticulturists experienced more unfavourable weather, for cither the garden or orchard than during tho, present season. For two; months at least high winds and heavy .gales have prevailed, with scarcely any intermission, and all kinds of vegetation has naturally been checked in growth, while •• many ir of the larger trees, particularly ;, fruit trees,; have had their foliage damaged by the wind. Yet. in spite of . the; uncongenial weather, most varieties of orchard trees 'have set fair and in 'many-, instances heavy crops 'of fruit. The,fact, however, of; the continuous cold, harsh winds and y damaged foliage must of necessity greatly check ; development of fruit, iso that the trees will require every possible encouragement \ to assist them in ;!, recouping their strength as : soon as more favourable conditions prevail. Fortunately, when the peaches and kindred trees were in. blossom,;: fine weather, with an absence of cold winds, prevailed, the result being that good crops' have set. *l Few trees, however, ; L have felt the effects of the harsh weather more; than the peach, tho foliage, unless in ;': the most sheltered ~; positions, ■ being badly * attacked with the curl. Even trees that were carefully ."and ■ systematically sprayed" have : 'not

■ ■" -■■■ ■■■.rr?:,i ■..; escaped. The weather, fee, M !„,„ T* or ■ dressing ;to . combat,: the r, xarion* J* 3 that attack the foliage an 6 d ffif >*■ gather may certain have a 1 ;L., effect upon these pests, but & . r *«t applied so far ; has.remained^ Kv&* time upon the trees i before'the "rain.-u 01 * in L great measure nullified tho w'i* r * of the material applied. Ta^tM. ntt » will require every possible cn«w„ Was °"l and if stimulating manures been appbed. they should at on* Riven, for even the more hardy varL- 1 * audi as apples, pears, and quinces, We "*' escaped damage to their foliage' ' iff ° 6 sequent check in their growth In il ! Cov should the trees bo unduly taxed trT.h* 1 * ing too heavy crops. The .M-awn Ts fr" rally .a latere and their ££$*$* sufficienty taxed to develop an 3 rn atu reasonable crop. Spraying, as already 1* tioncd. requires more persistent effort. account of the frequent rains that natuwlf" weaken the material applied.! ForW' moth and other leaf and fruit-eatina ° d " 1 I sects there is not anything so far ♦« 8 'w" sedo the ' arsenate ofload. 'Si [V* '"*'' destructive to the cochin moth g£*«fc brown beetle, leech, leaf roller arid > destructive pests Young trees th«/ % planted during last season should be S? fully examined. The swaying of the-SS is almost certain to result in lam. £ I s * being formed around the base »? soil becoming puddled by the action irf'li stem The soil should & broken up *J« he trees again placed ,n an upright ration, and if necessary staked. Or. lemons, loguats, in fact any evergreen & should always be securely staked at 7u' time of planting, and to prevent'lf; ' or injury to the stem a piece of sacking ~ cloth should be placed around the Janta where tho tie is made, •Viulchine- «u * practicable, should be placed Sofc young trees. Into the present there 1.1 been no lack of moisture, but should 1 change take,place, and dry weatherV low, the young trees will the mo™ aS the assistance provided by mulching.