THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15002, 25 May 1912, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

Swew teas that have been raised in pots or boxes should now be planted into their permanent quarters, where the ground has been deeply trenched and prepared for their reception. The seedlings should always be taken from the boxes just as the roots have reached the wood at the ■ bottom. Handle them carefully, and plant from 6in to 9in, or even 12in apart. Those that have been sown in the open should be thinned out and hand-weeded. Hardy annuals that were sown as previously,recommended will also be in a fit stage for thinning and weeding. Continue to plant nemesias, also dimorphothecas, stocks, wallflowers, sweet scabious, gaillardias, dianthus, sweet williams, and other hardy sorts. Sow nemophilas, Virginian stocks, poppkss, linarias, calendulas, acrbcliniums, and rhodanthes. '■'-' Layering Carnations. y Layers of carnations that were taken off early in March will now be well rooted and established enough " for planting out permanently. Dahlias are over for the season. Cut the stems back and take up the roots, and place them in a shed or cellar for the winter. The old flower stems of. chrysanthemums may also be cut back, as the plants have completed their flowering. A good plan with chrysanthemums that are scattered here and there throughout the 'beds and borders is to lift and transfer them to a fairly dry poeition, placing them close together in a bed. Oannos may also be taken up and divided, saving sufficient for future • planting, and discarding the remainder. Sec that the different varieties of all are correctly labelled. Ee-plantlng Work. T The digging out of dahlias, cannas, chrysanthemums, perennial phloxes, golden glow, and others, and placing them in winter quarters, allows better facilities for dieiring over the bods and borders, and provides places for hardy annuals and other plants. The weather and season are now most favourable for transplanting operations. Trees and shrubs of all sizes may be removed and transferred from ono place to another with safety, provided they have been properly prepared early in the autumn by wrenching, as previously recommended. This operation has the effect of checking the top growth, of tho tree. By cutting the larger roots the upward flow of sap is retarded, and descending induces young fibrous root action, most essential in the safe removal of all evergreen trees and ehrulM. The young rootlets thus produced hold the sou together, which would otherwise fall away and leave nothing but bare roots. The Depth to Plant. In re-planting be careful not to place the tree deeper in the ground than it stood before. Many planters, in removing large trees' and shrubs, err in placing them too deep a safeguard against strong winds, little thinking of the ultimate injury such a system of planting will have upon th© tree. Let the tree be the same depth as it originally stood before its removal. •■ Hold it in an upright position, well.working wellpulverised surface soil in and around the roots. Tread firmly, leaving the surface filling light and loose. Finally, if in an exposed position, securely stake to prevent the plant cemg injured by winds. Thinning out Branches. In removing large shrubs it is always advisable to lighten their tops by thinning out some ot the branches and shortening back others. By doing this the strain upon the roots will not bo as great in supporting the top. Irees planted early in tho season (provided the weather is favourable and that they are in fit condition for removal) take root and become established before the harsh cold spring winds set in. The planting of evergreen hedges for shelter and ornament should be proceeded with. Shelter is essenfcia.L and should he one of -the first considerations in the planting and planninif of new grounds. THE ORCHARD. There are few fruiting plants that require more care in planting than those of tho citrus family. In planting, the greatest caro must bo taken not to cover the roots too deep, as deep planting is generally the cause of failure with these fruits. The soil best suited for lemon and orange culture is a deep, rich loam, with a free subsoil, that allows of easy drainage. In preparing the soil a deep, wide hole should be dug, and refilled with good, rich soil 1* the soil is of poor quality, well-decomposed manure or decayed vegetable matter, well mixed with the soil, will greatly assist growth. Soil for Citrus Trees. All the citrus family luxuriate in decayed vegetable matter. Before planting shorten back any of the larger roots that have been injured in lilting, and after filling the hole with soil, spread the roots out evenly over the surface, and cover tho roots with fine soil. If the soil is of a gritty or sandy nature root action will be quicker. U planted in this way the trees will be raised on a slight mound. This is one of tho most important things in anting, and will with proper care prevent tne plants dying off with what is generally termed collar rot As sopn as the planting is comnleted each tree should be securely staked. This is the more necessary by the plants being raised

above the ; .surrounding surface. vn „ \K started m situations or localities eub&W?? severe frosts the plants will require «£ - I protection through the winter, in Mich »" ' t stances, however, planting is better d«wL* % until spring. -'<■"«. I Protection from Pro3t. A very slight protection will nrevent tv frosts from injuring the plants. A S" " brandies -placet! around the plants or - V of Packing stretched over the top will nrn * '■ ice!, them from injury. In lemons tfc*'''.'' 1 ! Lisbon and hureka are without doubt ti ' : two best varieties to grow. The Lisbon £ m tco '.veil known to need comment, while *l* S Eureka is rapidly coming into favour ">{%'' ' ] i latter lias trie advantage of being' m» B hardy, anile thornless, equally if „£ m £* I prolific, while the fruit is quite as larm and - ' I smooth as tho Lisbon. As scon as tV " : E plants become established the chief cul'ii*!! H consists in keeping the surface free of irS I 1 and well mulching with manure or oth'pr -' ffi decayed vegetable matter. This is mc«t H necessary, especially through tho summer M as tho roots are produced very near th ' B surface, and soon evince signs 0 t suffering ' H in hot, dry weather, unless protected hi ' B mulching. Ksroa. i I