THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15169, 7 December 1912, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

Weathkb conditions have been most favourable for sowing and planting; refreshing rains have been sufficient to keep the surface soil moist and cool; all vacancies in the beds and .borders should now be filled with suitable plants, such as scarlet salvias, phlox, zinnias, portulaccas, petunias, amaranthus, celosias. cosmcea, calliopsis, and a few others. Plant dahlias here and there throughout the mixed borders; tie chrysanthemums to their supports. Perennial delphinium are now a profusion * of the showiest blossoms and the long spikes need to bo supported against winds by stakes. Climbers need attention in the way of thinning out, training, and supporting, when they are planted to tram up against the sides of wooden fences or walls. The easiest and simplest method \ is to stretch horizontal wires along or wire-net-ting with large open meshes for them to cling to. . An Array of Climbers. " Sweet peas, . convolvoluses, tropseolums, mina lobata, and ivy-leafed pelargoniums are all delightfully showy climbers of the easiest cultivation, and when in full flower are a blaze of colour. Sweet peas are indispensable in all gardens, being so useful for cutting and extremely fragrant. Ivyleaved pelargoniums are amongst the most showy of dwarf climbing plants for training against fences and low walls, and for intermingling in the hedgerows and covering tree stumps. They flower with the greatest profusion, continuing in bloom for a long time, require very little care in their cultivation, and are not attacked by slugs, which is another important point in their favour. Climbing Roses. Climbing roses still continue to bloom most profusely. The cool moist weather is most favourable for all kinds, and the flowers retain their colour and last longer. I The varieties belonging to the rambler and I wichuriana sections, notably Dorothy Perkins, Alberic Barbier; crimson and other ramblers are laden, with the utmost prolusion of the showiest blossoms. The pergola is the popular means of displaying climbing roses,oo b which there is a large number of varieties in almost all shades of colour. Carnations and picotees are, also in full flower; they are universal favourites, Keep the flower stems neatly tied up to. prevent the flowers coming in contact with the soil, and to show them off to greater advantage. Cut off all blooms that are past, and thin out some of the superfluous buds to produce larger and finer blossoms. Liliums are conspicuous with their showy spikes of flowers; a liberal mulch of wellrotted stable manure around the plants greatly benefits them at this ■ season. Japanese irises should also be well-mulched i and the soil around them kept moist. The' plants present a most flourishing appearance, and promise a rich display of bloom. Lawns present a most verdant appearance • regularly mow and roll the surface/ > KITCHEN GARDEN. Now that the busy time of planting and sowing is over, with the exception of those varieties such as peas, dwarf beans, Lettuces, radishes, cress, mustard, eto.,' that are wanted to keep up a constant succession, the cultivator will have a,little more leisure, as all vacant spots should now be filled. Consequently, operations during the coming four weeks will chiefly consists in maintaining order and neatness, by keeping tho hoe going to kill weeds arid stir the soil, and in staking tall growing peas and runner beans, and tying up and regulating the growth of tomatoes.. " THE VINERY. The favourable change in the weather during the past week will be hailed with satisfaction by all growers of indoor grapes, the absence of harsh winds and the increased temperature producing a magical effect in than- growth, particularly after such a long season of cold uncongenial weather. Almost up to the present week it has been practically impossible to maintain anything like an even healthy tempera-' ture on account of ' the harsh winds arid cold wintry weather. On ■ this account, growth has naturally been somewhat retarded, whde there is always a tendency of the young growth becoming weak and drawn on account of the house having to be kept closed during such weather. The

—, — r — <11l IP foliage, too, is naturally more tender than |if§ when, free ventilation has been given, arid : i'| will be more liable to scorch should warnjs|S bright sunny weather prevail, unless the il most careful attention is given to ventila- 7; tion. ■- ( > i<r,\ In all favourable weather the ventilator! bvi should be opened early in the morning *<.'■'"* '.s to allow the vitiated air to escape before ' % the temperature rises too high— thfi V.s means the risk of scorching the foliage or f berries is often avoided. Up to the pre. \J'! sent there has been sufficient rainfall to,."' provide the borders with sufficient -mois- m ture. This, however, may not continue, 4~: ! and, as the roots of fruity vines must kept supplied with the necessary food, f 5 provision should be made to retain the' ~'*< moisture by thoroughly mulching with manure tor other suitable material that will '■: assist to check evaporation. Early vinea If'l that are forced for early market are rot so ? I liable to. suffer, as the fruit is usually cut' ': M before very dry weather sets in. With late ''■ 1" grapes, however, most of the failures, such ■. ■■' ; 'V as splitting of berries, mildew, shanking, . 'M. and failure to colour, is mostly attributable ',', 'd to neglect in this matter. ' ','-■. Stopping Laterals. '..V?wi Stopping of lateral growth must in no S case be neglected. •' This is sometimes allowed to fall in arrears during the period " ' of trimming. Yet, this is more important , at that particular time, for, if neglected, ; ' '\ there is always a risk of the berries shank- "' T { ing through loss of sap that must naturally \ escape if a number of laterals are removedfrom the vines at one time. Stopping ie L ;\i; easily kept under control by spending % , ; '.v few. minutes each day pinching a few from,. ;< each vine as they advance in growth. Th» '*' ; object of stopping the laterals is to concentrate the energies of the vine in the -development of healthy foliage and high-class - fruits, but too close stopping will have the ' opposite effect, as it checks the free flow : ' of sap, and exposes the fruit to the sun,' It should bo borne in mind that the fruit, . particularly black grapes, produce finer and more highly-coloured fruit when protected bv a good canopy of well-developed healthy>y. ; foliage. In fact, if growers would. pay, | more attention to the production and main-, - tainance of sound healthy foliage there would be little difficulty in securing well'/: ■ coloured, highly-finished fruit. ;v ■ KEPOIb , 1 ! ■ . --;■■; > : Ktm\