THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

S-rautrxCi the surface soil is a phrase that occurs so often in gardening notes thut it would seem overdone. However, too much importance cannot be attached to this process of frequently stirring the surface soil during dry weather; as it proves o: immense benefit to the plants, and in many instances is the secret of success in the cultivation of several plants, and may be practised daily. After heavy rains and also after artificial waterings a crust forms that requires breaking up by a light stirring. There are, however, ex: ceptions to every rule. Ericas or heaths, azaleas, rhododendrons, kalmias, and otter varieties that produce a network of fibrous roots near the surface, should not have the soil disturbed, the best treatment being a mulch of fibrous loam or half decayed leaf mould. Mulching. Mulching Is a good substitute, for stirring the surface. This process consists in supplying a top-dressing of manure; short litter, spent hops, or other suitable materials, lightly and evenly spread over the soil, prevents evaporation and preserves .a uniform degree of heat and moisture; and for those plants that require stimulating and enriching properties apply a dressing of good rotten manure. The nutriment will be conveyed to the roots by the rains or by artificial waterings. Dahlias, lilies, Japanese irises, fuchsias, and roses all derive great benefit during their flowering period by mulching around them with good rotten manure Compost lor Stiff Soils. In stiff soils course sand and manure mixed together compose a suitable topdressing. Carnations and picotees are now in full bloom. Visitors to the recent shows at the Auckland Exhibition were astonished at the splendid display of these general favourites, clearly proving the adaptability of our soil and climate to produce such magnificent blooms. To attain this perfection special culitvation is necessary. The noil must be in a good state of cultivation and free from wire-worms and other insects that attack the roots; attention must also le paid to regulating and keeping the flower-stalks tied up, and also to thinning out some of the flowerbeds, and to keeping the soil free from weeds, and the surface constantly stirred around them. Remove spent blooms; this will prolong the flowering and increase the size of those that are' developing. Chrysanthemum Culture. Chrysanthemums are now growing well. Those that are intended for garden decoration and to supply an abundance of flowers for cutting should have the tops nipped off; this will induce them to produce compact shrubby growth. Those that are being cultivated for the production of show plooms require special treatment in no instance should the tops be pinched back, keep the side shoots pinched off, and allow the plants to grow on until the natural formation of a blind bud at the apex of the shoot stops the growth and causes side shoots to break immediately below this bud; select three of the strongest of those shoots, cutting out anv others; the three shoots thus selected mus't be grown on to produce the blooms. Allow the plants to grow on naturally, do not force them by applying artificial stimulants, later on will be soon enough. Attention to Dahlias. Dahlias, favoured by abundance of moisture, are making splendid growth. See that they are properly tied to the stakes They should be grown with one stem with an even distribution of side shoots' Complete the planting of all dahlias by the fuddle of this mcnth. .As the holiday season is fast approaching, the various beds and borders should be fully stocked with the most suitable varieties of plants for summer and autumn flowering. Plants lor Summer and Autumn. The following are the most suitable for present planting:—Scarlet salvias, amaranthus, ectasias, zinnias, cosmcea, petunias, portuhecas, also irisines, altcrnantheras, coleus and begonias, for ornamental bedding, may be bedded out. Conditions have been" exceptionally favourable to the growth if weeds, which have been more° plentiful and more difficult to keep in check than is usual at this season. Hand-weeding and hoeing must be done. A considerable amount of staking is also necessary. The grass on lawns crows so freelv that two cuttings per week are needed to keep (he surface sward low.

A COOL SHADE HOUSE. There are few spots in the garden that are more interesting or give greater pleasure to lovers of plants than a well constructed and nicely furnished shade or bush house. It is an interesting place a all seasons, but particularly so during the hot summer months when growth is luxuriant, and the house affords a pleasant shade from the heat of the sun. In our climate numbers of plants that are diffi. cult tq grow in a greenhouse can be grown to perfection in a bush or shade house for, in addition to the plants grown in pots or planted in the soil for permanently furnishing the house, it also provides a place where pot plants can be grown and established that are required for indoor decoration; as well as a place for wintering varieties that have been usedouts-de during the summer months. Constructing a Shade House. A shade house is easily constructed, and at little cost, unless, of course, expensive material » used. .All that is required is

a reasonable amount of shade and Vhf-it' ■ V®' from the cold winds. A light frame*!* is all that is needed, (hough tie npriyS 1 should be composed of good Jading mat* 'i On this should be nailed laths 'a)3$3M an inch in width, and placed about ft» i to three-quarter inches apart. For cow * H ing the top, discarded shade blinds , M if' ; T an excellent material. In some in-ta, i only a skeleton frame is erected Recovered with wire netting; c ]imbm» ; ' plants being planted to afford the neci ,M say shade and shelter. Careful selecting' ''' of plants, however, is necesarv or "tc i dense a shade quickly results. The hem?"■' should be made high enough to allow m a few tree ferns to be planted, arrange them in positions to provide additional ' shade and form cosy nooks where seat : can be erected. at> Ferns and Palms. Ferns and palms succeed admirably in a bush house, and require little other at tention than watering. If growing m pots much of this labour can be lessened by plunging the pots in the soil. Man, plants, however, particularly the hardier varieties of ferns, lycopodium and ctuers succeed best when planted out Per ' maiiently; in fact, some kinds that ar> difficult to grows successfully in pots do well planted out in a suitable place. The effect produced in a bush house depend* upon the internal arrangements and taste displayed in arranging th plants. Arrangement ■of Plants. The bush house lends itself to varioc* forms of arrangements, rockeries, U5 cades, miniature waterfalls, miniatiirq fountains, in which aquatic plants can be grown, or simply a plain suriaco on which plants can be arranged as desired. £ Ac of the supports should be covered by training asparagus or other suitable climb ing plants, while from the roof should be hung well-furnished hanging baskets With good material and by skilliul arrangements of plants a bush'house can ha made a veritable fairy bower, and by tar the most interesting spot in the garden. Climbers for Shade Houses. For the outside embellishment of tie house climbers may be grown to impart a more natural appearance: these, now- - ever, must not be dense-growing varieties particularly if the house is formed of laths. In such case deciduous varieties should predominatelimbing roses, Wl3 . tanas, clematis, solanum, wendiandi', and other good (dowering varieties can be 'used witlioui forming too dense a shade ind yet furnish a splendid display of flower (brought the summer months. Kxros.