THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16020, 11 September 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

This is the season for, anemones, ranun- J > culi, cyclamens, and i narcissi or daffodils. [ . These most .< useful ' and f easily-cultivated « species , of hardy ; -ornamental flowering plants, with the - numerous \ varie- j ties belonging to -t each, " are " special . objects of attraction "in , our gar- : dens -at the present time. * Ane- < mones will thrive in any ordinary garden soils, but succeed best in those that are rich and well-drained. The tubers should .be planted in April or. May, about 2in deep and 6in apart/ Arranged in beds or in clumps with a good variety of colours, splendid effects may be produced. A visit to the Albert Park or, the Domain gardens- on a bright, sunny morning affords a rare floral treat to lovers of these beautiful early flowering favourites. After the blooming is past and the 'foliage ripened off the tubers should be taken up and stored away in pots or boxes, mixing dry sand with them, and place in a cool, "airy situation until required for planting again next autumn. The beds they now occupy will be available for planting again after the anemones have been' taken - up, with phlox or other suitable varieties of showy summer flowering annuals. Cultivating the Ranunculus. Ranunculus are charming subjects, producing a goTgeous ■ profusion 6f'manycoloured single, semi-double, and double flowers. Beds . for ranunculi should be specially prepared, incorporating good turfy - loam with a liberal admixture • of coarse, ■ gritty sand, with a proportion of dry powdered cow manure.. They, like plenty of moisture, but good drainage is essential. Plant the small. claw-shaped roots in April, inserting them claws downwards from l£in to 2in deep- and 6in apart, covering them with finely-prepared soil. There are two principal- sections into which the ranunculus is divided, the one the Persian and the other the turban, all are: adapted for massing in beds and borders. . '. Improvements in Cyclamens. . Cyclamens have of late " years become such general favourites as .to be largely represented -in our , gardens. Too much can scarcely be said in favour of these charming dwarf-growing and profuse flowering little plants.. They are suitable for planting along near the edges of flower beds and borders, and on ' rockeries, and for introducing here and there along near the edges of shady walks, and are indispensable for -culture. In addition to the flowers cyclamens are most attractive on account of their prettily marked foliage. Propagaton is effected from seeds.. The seedlings being raised in pots or pans, placed ' in a frame, and *' grown on until they are large enough for pricking out into - boxes or potting i into small pots, and grown on until the autumn, when they will "have formed nice, plants for bed-ding-out or potting out 1 During dry weather- they should be- mulched i with manure and given good soakings of water. They succeed 1 best in a moderately cool situation, and where partial shade is afforded '" by j trees 'inl"; close ' proximity. V ■: - ;' 4 The Daffodil Family. -1 _-; v h '■'': Daffodils are too well known to need full description. - The majority |of 1- the varieties are of easy cultivation, and will thrive \in almost - any soil \or situation. The specialist '*■ who f- cultivates his plants to attain < the highest! perfection and • grows only ; from t the best, including the most . up-to-date: novelties, ; going \. in for. the \ in- ' "tense cultivation system, loses a good deal of * the pleasures * that are to be - derived from the • ordinary everyday garden varieties', that produce, such splendid results with little or \ no care in ' their cultivation. Naturalised on grassy slopes and along the edges of running streams or in shady walks ■ daffodils have a charming effect.' . ';* The Treed* Season. 'r>, - Freesias are in their fullest perfection. They are everybody's flowers, and may be grown without any* care or attention. The flowers emit a delicious perfume. The freesia affords great possibilities for. the hybndiser who has already produced ' many lovely hybrids of distinct shades of colour. Tulips are gorgeous flowering bulbs, they require to be grown massed in beds, arranging the plants from 6in to Bin apart, or in clumps. Hyacinths are the most beautiful of all bulbs when well grown, j J but require too much 1 care in their cultivation for the ordinary gardener. Slugs I are most destructive in eating the foliage and destroying the flower stalks before the blooms develop. Transplanting and Lawn Work. " Now is a busy time in the flower garden with -transplanting the • many seedlings and other plants that are available for the purpose, and also in properly working the soil to bring it into a good state .of cultivation, and % stirring the Surface to keep it from baking -and to benefit the plants. Now .is an important time in the treatment of -lawns, attend to cutting the grass once or twice weekly to' strengthen the sward, and occasionally roll the ground, and if the growth of grass is not strong water Mith, liquid manure made by dissolving one ounce of nitrate of soda to one gallon of water.

THE VINERY. The season is again at hand when the work in this department will rapidly increase, and growers will be kept fully employed to keep pace with the requirements. The weather is . now all that could be desired for vines that are just breaking into growth. It i* at this stage that every assistance should be given in order to secure a nice even break Much can be done in this direction by maintaining a -genial, moist atmosphere, syringing the vines at early morning and at evening when closing the house. Moisture is an important factor in starting vines, as it has a softening effect on the buds and assists in securing a more even break. With late starting vines however, no attempt should be made to force the vines into rapid growth by maintaining too. high a temperature, as strong short-'omted growth can only be attained be allowing the vines to start as. naturally as possible, and without their being in any way excited by excess or fluctuations of temperature. . ' Strong Growth and Fruit. The object of every grower should be to. secure strength of growth and a rood show of fruit, - Once this is attained the vines can be pushed on more ranidlv with every prospect of success. Tines' unlike most other fruiting plants, require almost daily attention from the time they break into growth until the ripening of the fruit. The first operation after the vines have started is disbudding, removing all weak, sterile growth that generaUy breaks out around the base of the spur leaving only the strongest lateral that shows promise of producing the best bunch. Then follows the stopping or pinching back the lateral growth. This is done as soon as the fruiting laterals have made sufficient growth, the top being pinched out above the second or third joint above where the hunch is formed In no case should there be less than two leaves left above the bunch, while three is an advantage if it will not cause undue crowding of foliage. j Thinning the Bunches. As soon as the bunches of fruit are sufficiently advanced a reasonable estimate of the quantity c'f fruit each vine should he capable of carrying to maturity should be taken, and all the surplus bunches removed. In this the vines should always be given the benefit of the doubt. The amount of fruit the vines can mature and properly ripen will naturally depend upon the strength 'and condition of Jbe vine« j

as - well as the treatment r bestowed npon their culture. The indoor treatment, however, is by no means the ".most important, for no matter how skilful the operator may be in handling the growing vine, success cannot well attend his efforts if the foundation is not sound. Unless the borders have' been carefully prepared, and every encouragement given to ensure healthy root action, vines cannot .succeed for "any length of time, no matter what attention is given to inside culture.

Unhealthy Soot Actios.

The result of so "many failures through tho vines being attacked with black snot, mildew, shanking, and failure to colour is mainly attributable to unhealthy root action, either on account of the borders not having been properly prepared or through lack of moisture, the roots not keeping within the prepared soil. This and over-cropping are the chief causes of failure. When there is any suspicion of the roots having rambled beyond the prescribed area and fail to orodnce satisfactory results, a good plan is to throw out a fairly deep trench around the outer edge of the border and cut back all roots that have extended beyond that space. This will induce new fibroys roots to form, ! ■while if the trench is left open it will allow the air to percolate and add warmth to the roots. The best results in vine culture are always obtained when the surface of the borders is w%ll furnished with healthy fibrous roots, and to encourage this - the food should be applied to the surface and lightly forked in. When in this condition the roots naturally I require protection by being thoroughly J mulched with manure or other material i that- will assist to retain the necessary i moisture until the, fruit is matured.

ANSWERS TO CORSES PONDS NTS.

" Anxious." Cambridge: Fork or dig over the soil on each side of the hedge plants, and apply a liberal dressing of blood and bone, sown on the surface and hoed in. The plants being stationary and turning yellow denotes want of nitrogen in the soil. Make the elaeagmis cuttings about 14 inches long, selecting them from the long growths without side shoots. Thoroughly dig a strip about 2ft in width, cut a slit along the centre, insert the cuttings 6in deep, and firmly tread. - " Constant Reader," Rakanui : Earthworms are useful to the soil; they aerate ,it with" their burrows and renew the surface by bringing up the subsoil, and promote more rapid decay of the vegetable matter in the soil. A-good dressing of lime and well working the soil will keep them in check, or watering with carbonate of ammonia. "* Worms are harmful when they get into the soil in pot plants and must.be ejected. Thev are also obnoxious on lawns. Watering with lime water, will mostly ■ bring worms to the surface, when they may be destroyed. M.R., Opotiki: The name is Photinia glabra, a very hardy and handsome ornamental evergreen shrub or small tree, with dark, shining, green foliage, producing an abundance of large flat heads of flowers. It is a native of China and is sometimes' called.the pagoda tree. It does not require any pruning, excepting to shape the tree. Daffodils have in several instances failed to bloom. The bulbs were probably prematurely ripened last simmer owing to drought. KG., Wanganui: Re practical guide for management - and" growing, pot : plants "J a.greenhouse,. '* Nicholson's Dictionary of Gardening." an English production, is the. best book •* for the purpose,- bat "too expensive. There is no local publication, lour best plan if unable to procure a suitable work at your bookseller's would *& *°". write to Cole's ißook' Arcade, Melbourne; they catalogue a number of gardening books. -".-" .•-? -. -";.*'*■ '

I: Citrus, Henderson: The appearance of Poorman orange leaves denotes want of sufficient manorial properties', in the soil. A liberal dressing ton the surface around the plants with 'stable manure or Wood and bone to stimulate growth would, soon rid. them of the corrugated and" vellow appearance of the foliage. Some of "the leaves anoear to Be affected with shot.faole .• nouns,| and -, -would Ibe benefited bv an of Jbordeaox mixiure All the citrus-require the free application of .nitrogenous, manures. '-..TV: • ""■' :•■ ? . Waihi.- Bonedust is one of the best and most lasting manures for field and garden crops, and also for fruit and other trees. Ite properties are fertilising ana lasting. Mixed with Hood and bone action quicker and desirable. Superphosphate may be applied with bonedust. , ■ ~S.''*. . ' .-: - ;*:>i' ! -.:. : -.< ""'-Kepos." '

A* HINTS TO- OABDXVZBS. ' In the cultivation of ; cabbages, cauliflowers, lettuces, celery, rhubarb, carrots, radishes, spinach, leeks,, etc., the influence of nitrogen and potash, which are essentially stem and leaf producers, is most pronounced. r Carnations require a good rich loam, and ample drainage. A good general compost for the whole family may be made up of one-half dean loam, with lesser portions of leaf mould, old cow dung, and sifted mortar rubbish. If extra large blooms are desired, the buds should be thinned out, two buds being taken away wherever three come together.

Chlorophyll or leaf-green is a compound of nitrogen. When a crop does not -get enough nitrogen from the soil, its colour is bad, and nitrogenous manures on wornout or poor soils improve the vield. But the lack of colour may also "be due .to water troubles— too much water or too little. - a,

A lemon tree which has long sweeping limbs may have f these well cut back bringing the trees into shape, with very gratifying results. It will be found that after cutting trees severely they will throw out many short fruiting twigs and a few long suckers which latter should all be removed whenever they make * their anpearance. - ; r

> Carnations wiL grow under tree*, or In shady places, but the plants will lack! strength, and the flowers will be poor ! The native or wild dianthns, the parento'f . the caramon of to-day, is found^rowine i i m breezv, open country, ana the finest ' flowers have been cultivated in welldrained beds,. fairly well open to' the four winds of heaven. Distant shelter from cold blasts may be afforded, but any degree coddling must be avoided. Like the rose and numerous other plants, the carnation does best in beds by itself, but when % that ?be planted * the ««S border, its roots must, not be interferon > with by those of shrubs or trees At this time of the year lawns are often ! disagreeable to walk upon, and SsiS to the eye by reasons of numerous. worm-' casts. Tins „ particularly the case where, the soU is heavy and rich in vegetable matter. The worms are easily got rid of ly watering the grass with clear lime-water!' Brine or sea-water is sometimes used to destroy worms but if it be too sfaomj the grass I suffer. The worms are* brought to the surface, when they may be brushed up and destroyed. ' * ■ Celery is such a popular vegetable that it is jurpnsrag how rarely it is seen in a garden. The reason, no doubt is that peope imagine that it requires dee D trenches and abundance of stable manure As a matter of fact, celery may be grown on the flat like any ordinary vegetable providing the soil » deeply cultivated and well mixed with compost. Then it is Just a question of using fertilisers judiciously A mixture of superphosphate, bonedust, and nitrate of soda, loz of each per square yard. is a good stimulant, especially 1 if a , dressing of wood ashes is applied. * The Japanese iris is a lime-hater, and no lime whatever must be given to it. It has been usually accepted that this iris must be grown m mud. or at least with abundance of water. This is **?wrong as any of the Japanese irises: and there are many beautiful varieties, will flower in a good loamy sod amonsr other plants « the flower border, provided a reliable amount of water ,s given. Other summed flowering irises aYe Iris ochroleuca, and Iris mormen, and Ins aurea. These are ever' | green growing ,n clumps with long leave*, ; the flowers tern* carried on long stems which are frequently from 3ft. to 4ft in 1 he £ \i The « white and gold, the second yellow, and the. third 1 golden-coloured. u