THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16098, 11 December 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

Weather Conditions, SriTABLE weather conditions have afforded a much needed opportunity to give the garden and grounds a thorough overhaul, and to have the various beds and borders hoed over to destroy -weeds and break the surface crust. They have also rendered it possib'e to regulate the growth of some of thi plants, and to clear away earlyflowering annuals that are past, such as nemesias, diraorphothecas, mimulus, Unariae, nemophilas, Virginian stocks, acrocliniunu, cinerarias, and others that have completed their flowering, and to have their places filled with other suit-able varieties. I Decayed Flowers and Flower Stems. Excepting those that are required to i produce and ripen seeds, plants are beneI fited and their appearance enhanced by ; picking or rutting off the spent flowers |snd old flower stalks. Carnations, roses, pelargoniums of all varieties, are greatly benefited by removing tho spent blossoms. Antirrhinums, delphiniums, alonsoas, godetias, etc., should have the flower stalks cut off when the flowers have dropped. Seed Saving. Hithexto the saving of seeds has been almost entirely neglected, our growers invariably reiving upon obtaining their seeds from importation. War conditions hare- somewhat interfered with the European productions, which should give an impetus to the saving of seeds locally. There are many varieties that reproduce true from seeds without any artificial aids, such as fertilisation or isolating to prevent inferior mixings and blendings. By obtaining the very best strains and selection by pulling up objectionable colours and small or badly shaped flowers, and reserving only the very best to seed, the finest results may be obtained, and improved strains produced, equal or superior to the European. Seed saving is a fascinating pastime that might be turned to profitable , account, and should form one of our most important industries, as our climate is eminently adapted for the seeding of many annual and other flowering plant* Plants Now in Flower. i I Amonest the many kinds at present in ' flower the following are worthy of mention. In addition to rosea, sweet peas, : and carnations, which are indispensable in every garden, there are dianthus, aqui- , legias or columbines, clarkeas, gaillardias, : pansies, violets, penstemons, lobelias, neu- ! cheras, delphiniums, annual and peren- : riial. lovely poppies, statioes, marigolds, calceolarias, viscarias, Marguerite chrysanI themums, geums, calliopsis, godetias, linaI Has, campanulas, aster sub-ccerulea, alon- ' soas, antirrhinums, digitalis or foxgloves, | stocks, etc., and amongst bulbous plants stately lilies, gorgeous callas and Japanese irises, magnificent gladioli, and amaryllis. , There are also quite a number of flowering shrubs and other dwarf perennials. Pelargoniums. The many varieties comprising the ivyleaved, zonal, regal large-flowered show ! and decorative sections are all in flower. ,The ivy-leaved varieties are especially attractive, lhe climbers being a mass of lovely blossoms, and the colours are exceedingly bright and showy. Geraniums arc general favourites. Hydrangeas Now Blooming. Hydrangeas are conspicuous with their enormous trusses of showy blossoms that are produced in the greatest profusion, making the bushes appear a mass of colour. Hydrangeas are especially adapted for growing in the grass; they also suc- | ceed well beneath the shade of trees and in damp situations. Wonderful improvements have been made in the raising of new varieties, some of dwarf habit, others i more vigorous, all producing lovely heads of flower of different colours, pure whites, deep blues, pinks, reds, lemon, and rose. Hydrangeas are liable to change in colour according to the chemical constituents of the various soils. Carnations. Carnations are general favourites. Magnificent blooms have been exhibited at our shows. The following select list should be noted for future planting, the varieties being arranged about in their order of merit. Brookham white, Gordon Douglas, Mrs. Robert Gibson, Mrs. Byron Ruse! Montrose, Mrs. Andrew Brotherstone, Jean Douglas, John Ridd, Innocence Mrs. H. L. Hunt, Zulu, George Elliott, 'Linkman, tree or perpetual flowering carnations, Regina, Lady Northcliff, Mary Alli wood, and enchantress are specially good ; also white wonder and telopea. " ' Dahlias. Complete the planting and drive in a stake close to each plant. As it is always necessary to support them the staking is always best done at the time of planting When left until the plants have started into growth the new roots are likely to be injured when driving the stake in. KITCHEN GARDEN. Breaking the Surface. Now that fine warm weather has set in and the soil is in a condition to be worked, no time should be lost in breaking up the surface either by forking or by deep hoeing, so that a nice loose surface is secured. Ihis, in fact, is the surest means of securing healthy growth, particularly after such a long period of dull, wet weather as the surface has naturally become hard while the crops, being soft and sappy' would quickly suffer it the surface is allowed to become dry and cracked. Early Crops. The season up to the present has been anything but favourable for many early crops. Peas and beans, in manv instances have set but scanty crops, duel no doubt to the excessive moisture and coldness of the Mil. Mildew, too, has been unusually prevalent, peas, beans, onions, and other plants being attacked. Early potatoes in many localities, have been badly affected with disease, even when they nave been persistency sprayed. Of late years, there is always a certain amount of risk with the early-planted crops, although much of the loss is, no doubt, dne to the difficulty in procuring sets that are quite free from the germs of disease. Absolutely clean sets and new ground would, without doubt produce better results. A fortune awaits the experimenter who can raise a firstc ass proline, blight-resisting potato With the favourable change in the weather better result* should be »™d with later planted and sow n crops. What to Sow. Sowings should still be made of peas i beans carrots, turnips, and other crops' ! and j the various vegetables required for | salads. During the hottest months of the ; year salads are always in demand, so that .prov.sion should be made to alway* ha" I a good stock on hand, and this can only | be attained by sowing little and often ■ as some varieties used for salads mature quickly, and are soon beyond the sterol usefulness. Attention, too, must bepa°d to thinning out the various'seedling crop? leaving the plant* sufficient space to £' velop. This should be done aS, £ the plants are large enough to handle. Tomatoes. Tomatoes will now require a good deal ™J^ entM ?\^* pin ? all * id & re moved and tying the leading steins I I their supports The plant, should hTL£ ough.y sprayed with Bordeaux mixture or vermonte as a preventive from disease Prevention „ better than cure, and saving in no case should be deferred «n«??K plants are attacked. Kumara77an «n fc planted Ground that has been well manured and from which an early crop has been taken should produce good ~rop? providing the so 1 is of a eood fr?,M tore. Trenches should noT^^j for celery and leeks. These luxuriated manure; good ce'.erv, in fact. ™r? no t £ grown without abundance of this materia? Pumpkins, marrow, roc melons, a £ melons, and cucumber that have been so™ in the open ground should be thiuSdTu"

as soon as they are in the rough leaf, leaving not more than three or four plants to each hilL As soon as the plants are sufficiently advanced a light mulching with manure or other material that wiL assist to retain moisture at the roots will greatly assist growth. As soon as any crop is exhausted the ground should be thoroughly broken up and manured in readiness for successional crops, although a change of variety should always be made. THE VINERY. Change in the Weather. The favourable change in the weather will be welcomed by ah engaged in grape culture. The almost incessant rain and cold winds experienced since the vines have started has naturally retarded development. However, should the weather now continue favourable, grapes will swell rapidly, as there is no lack of moisture in the borders. The bunches of early forced grapes should now be showing colour, and will need careful attention. At this stage the berries swell very rapidly, and it is often necessary to remove some of the berries to avoid over-crowding the fruit. With the later-started vines, the chief work will still consist in thinning the berries. This is always a time of anxiety to the grower, for when a number of one variety is grown tie difficulty is to keep pace with the growth of the fruit. Thinning-out. In this case, particularly if labour is scarce, the safest plan is to relieve each bunch by partial thinning, afterwards finally completing the task. In thinning, avoid handling the berries as much as possible. A forked stick is useful for holding the bunches in position for thinning. Bunches carrying large shoulders should, after being thinned, have the j shoulders carefullv tied out to relieve the [ centres and afford more light to the ber- ! ries. After thinning, the vines should be thoroughly svringed. This will remove any I refuse that lodge upon the fruit and leave J the bunches clean. After so much dull ' moist weather, every precaution should be taken against mildew attacking the vines. Keep sulphur free'.}- distributed. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Specimens to Name": No. 1 is Bouvardia flavescens. No. 2. Gardenia florida tl. pc., a beautiful but slow-growing shrub, with highly-fragrant flowers. No. 3, Nandina domestica, an elegant, hardv evergreen shrub, producing spikes of white flowers, followed by pretty berries and conspicuous for its brilliant crimson and I yellow autumn foliage. No. 4. The shrub 1 with handsome foliage the writer is unI able to identify it; it may be one of the eugenias. No. 5, Rhus cotinus, mist shrub or smoke plant 3 hardy deciduous shrub of quaint and beautiful appearance. N.K., Remuera: Hydrangeas are the most suitable plants for your purpose, namely, for growing in large tubs a,i-! the production of a mass of blooms. These plants like a rich soil, such as loam and decayed cow or other manure in about equal quantities, and to receive abundance of water when the plants are in full growth and flowering. Select good strong bushy plants, transferring them into the tubs in early spring. The large-flowered varieties of Hydrangea hortensis are the best for the purpose. Certain soils have the proeptry of changing the normal colour of the flowers in consequence of the presence of some chemical constituent. Some varieties that produce pink and red flowers changing to blue, and vice versa. "Inquirer" : Codieums or crotons are amongst the most beautiful of ornamental foliaged plants, having magnificentlycoloured leaves of various shapes and forms. They must be started in a very moist, warm atmosphere and carefully tended, occasionally . syringing the foliage to keep down red spider and thrips, which are sure to appear if the plants are neglected. When from 12in to 18in high they may be hardened off, and are greatlv prized for room and table decorations, and for the decoration of the greenhouse and conservatory during the summer months. Kepos. __ . HINTS TO GARDENERS. A heavy soil, if well drained and cultivated, grows crops in every way superior to those grown on light soils. The increase of weeds in gardens is mainly caused by allowing their seeds to ripen before attempting to destroy the plants, also by the use of foul seeds. Drainage is essential to the healthy growth of all vegetation. It is possible for the cultivator to exercise some con- : trol over the moisture in the soil by suitable drainage and cultivation. These matters, on land such as we have just been considering, should receive the I fullest consideration of every agriculturist, whether he be an orchardist or a grain-grower. Sweet peas should have a cop: >us supply of water, and if required to flower for .a long time, on no account should be allowed to form seed-pods. The [ flowers should be picked as soon as they I are open, as the more they are picked the better 'they will flowfrr. liquid manure should be applied, as this tends .0 lengthen their flowering period \ good plan is to make a drill near the roots. If grown in a hedge or trellis, sprinkle in a little s nperphosphate, fill in with manure, then run water down the drill once or twice a week. ! Camming is a common diease of stone fruit trees. An ordinary knife should be inserted into the bark and drawn from the ground to the height where the first branches begin. Two vertical cuts should be made on opposite sides of the tree The work should be carried out as the bads are about to burst. This does not remove the cause, and there is no definite evidence that it is an efficient remedy; but many believe that it is. "> m^J , The budding of roses usually commences in December, and it may "be continued all through the summer and well into the autumn provided the stocks are in proper condition. There i s a great advantage in early budding, as the buds commence to grow at once, and under favourable conditions quite a nice little head is formed the first season, whereas 1 X tL knJ°*-n' -^ ayed Until th ° wSK the buds will either remain dormant, or I'll u V Stai t lnto *">*«». the shoots wU be weak, and ft would have been better the ° Uds had not started untU the following spring.

The preparation of the bud in pronagating roses is the most delicate part of the -work. The bud should be Kin and, if possible, it should be Sen S the middle' of 'the shoot With a £** We. cut the. piece out conSning the ?„ : vtl' J? lnch and a -half long tak in ? a little bit of the wood with it ?'*£„ he 1 out m thr d fi , ng6r - S h toft the st«* if the woody mattW ?s not re ThT?' f bU » n n6ater J° b * i? it is" The leaf stalk attached to the bud must be cut partly off, j ust showing a fiSS i* U^ lde the bandage. The Wrf should be used as soon Ifter thev S been taken off as possible y haVe

j Nothing is more in requisition rW,™ summer than a comfortable garden Kspem y on arm evening it* S" •ant. after inspecting the various objects of interest, and watohin<r the a , uo J ect s ment of favourite plants, 1* relt. a'wht and contemplate the variety Tinted Mature presents; and where V a „ *u S reflections on the passing beluW of th* hour be so well enjoyed asTestfna * * an easy seat out of doors nIS ? UP u° n under some drooping Tee ft'JSJti part of the garden ? g Rustic seat* others, are most compatible wUh i f" s.on, and always 00 will T,J? Se<^ u-*h.-le of trees* Such » Lf der *£* readily put together from a ££„,*» * branches, which country readers at 1 k ought to be able to procure ™ at W form of cast-iron is suitable on a in connection wth choohp* * law^