THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15175, 14 December 1912, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

Tbcb holiday season is almost upon us, consequently the garden and . grounds should be got into the best possible condition in order to allow the cultivator a few weeks' leisure and to enjoy the results of his past labours. Lawn£ and other portions of the grounds that are - in . grass will ; require to have their surfaces 010861? mown. Walks and drives must be cleansed from weeds and swept, and the grass edgings neatly clipped. The surface of the beds and borders should be lightly hoed, and weeds taken out from amongst the plants. - Dahlias, 'chrysanthemums, gladioli, and several other plants will need attention in the wav of staking and 1 tying up. Roses should have- all decayed blooms removed, in order to strengthen the plants and prolong the flowering .period. Carnations, pinks, and picotees .also need attention. They are flowering splendidly,: and well deserve a little extra care in 'thinning out some of - the superfluous buds to produce larger flowers, and in . tying the flower stems up to keep them clean and j show them off to the best advantage. - j ', The Seasoq o2 Flowers. ' Gardens are everywhere bedecked, with the greatest profusion of flowers. ' Japanese irises are conspicuous with their showy flaglike blossoms. The colourings and shades. are extremely unique and diverse in their appearance. The different varieties of pelargoniums and fuchsias are in full flower. The latter are extremely graceful and. very showy. Some have large double flowers. The varieties belonging to the single-flowered section are the strongest growers. . There are several hybrid fuchsias with gracefully pendant blossoms.' Pelargoniums aregeneral favourites,-especially the regal and aecorative_varieties. .- The Neglwtod' Geranium. ' Zonal pelargoniums, or, as they are more generally called, .common geraniums, -do so well here that they are not valued as they should be. The newer additions to .this numerous family have a much,more compact and sturdy dwarf habit of growth; the flowers and trusses are larger, and the plants more floriferous. The varieties belonging to the ivy-leaved section are those that oetorre special notice. They are so easily cultivated, and produce their manv and richly-coloured blossoms in 6uch abundance that they present a mass of bloom; and when the climbing varieties are grown against the sides of the verandah and over fences and intermixed with hedge plants nothing is-»mo*e attractive. The dwarfer growers are admirably adapted for the rockery., , Amongst climbers the largo-flowering varieties; of clematis are exceedingly beautiful and showy. ... * • Ice .- Plants.' -■ ..7^;. The different kinds of mesembryanthemums or ice plants are & gorgeous'sight upon bright sunny days. The rockery, is where they succeed and* look best. Kalosanthes jasminea and other rock' garden plants are exceedingly gay. ' The bright: yellow Calla Elliottiana is very conspicuous. The flowers contrast with the handsome leaves. Honeysuckles are in perfection, the flowers of . which emit a delicious fragrance that permeates and lends a delightful charm to the garden, particularly during the still summer evenings. , . . There are a large number of annual and biennial plants in bloom, perennial delphiniums being specially conspicuous with their tall spikes of flowers in various shades of blue. Penstemons are very attractive. Sweet peas are in the full zenith of their Klory, the warmer weather and calmer days being favourable to their flowering. THE GREENHOUSE. The sudden change from cold leather to almost tropical heat will necessitate ' the most careful attention being given to shading. watering, and ventilating ' the houses This, too, is the more necessary, after a long period of "cold, boisterous weather, as the plants are naturally more" tender after being confined to ' a comparatively- close atmosphere. As the temperature, increases more ventilation has to be given," with the I result that the soil in the pots-quickly becomes dry, unless frequently .looked over I and watered upon tho least sign of dryness. Not only do the plants; require an increased amount of moisture, but to maintain healthy growth a nice- moist atmosphere should be maintained. This can be attained by . frequently watering the paths and^floor of the house during the hottest. "parts of the day and at evening whqn closing Most plants succeed best in a moist atmosphere, while some of the worst pests that attack the foliage of many plants will not thrive in it

«w->ttreea ApMs. : . • ■ The ' exception, ; however, a the , ijreen M aphis. This post is particularly troabl«on»; on the young, tender shoots of planft, as well as on the young, undeveloped fro wis of ; ferns, and, if left luuoolerfed for even a. fill short period doe. ; considerable dam«je. Spray in* the 1 plants with nicotine, McDoo- jvfflU Kill's insecticide, fir-trse oil, or smoking tntiSgffllß house with tobacco will destroy it. During > S the hot summer months plants succeed tetter /rag when they, are placed or partly plunged m ;!;f§|g coarse sand, fine scoria, or other suitable .immaterial. By this, means a more genial | moisture is maintained than when the plant# ■v| are placed upon wooden benches or batons, i: jfi%i Shading, too, is an. important matter, and ■ i must bo provided during the hottest part of tka * lay ' ...Repotting ' Plants. • ■ 'ilwß 7 Eepotang Plante. In every instance in reDofting plenty of L;'J| drainage should be provided; constant water- Mm ing ;is needed - throughout the hot summer A.f months, and free outlet for surplus moisture m$ must be provided. Most plants are now at ■' -~5 the most interesting stage, while there is jSM abundance of flower, to make the hou3« gay , V sttl for the festivo season. Hanging baskets in articular greatly assist to furnish and pro- WtfM duce a pleasing effect in the greenhouse. A These, "when furnished with suitable plants -frf and suspended here and there throughout •-5' M the house greatly enhance the effect. Num- - hers of plants, and ferns in particular, sue- %I>M ceed better in , baskets than in pots, notably SMS* the splendid and comparatively new -vane- "■'-fdM ties of "bephrolepis ferns, the grand speci- jKg mens shown in the Town Hall last wedc •.s§s being ovitkinoe of what perfection these feria 'WdfJ will attain to under reasonable cultivation. Their long, drooping, graceful fronds, somewhat resembling ostrich feathers in formation, render them invaluable '■• for ■ badcofc'-,stg» decoration. The various requirements elf this department should at once be jrot in jjiSpi order, so that the plants will - not suffer through a little relaxation dozing i f season. . Xzpos. •<''