THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17139, 19 April 1919, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

GRASSING NEW LAWNS.

The sowing of newly-made lawns should be attended to at once. First lightly fork over the whole area and well rake to pulverise. the soil and produce,an even and level surface preparatory to sowing the fertilisers and grass seed. Lawns that were laid down last autumn will require to be gone over to remedy any defects or inequalities caused by subsidences of surface, as these are sure to occur where any considerable fillings-in had to be made. These inequalities may riow be remedied by adding fresh soil, properly prepared and freo from seeds of weeds, and by re-levelling and. where necessary, resowing. Old lawns that have become patchy and unsightly may be greatly improved by applying a top-dressing of good light rich soil, adding to it some powdered lime and covering the whole surface to the depth of about half an inch, v.ith tho compost carefully raked over, or otherwise level,, to produce an even surface, adding 'some additional grass seed. Coarse sand, containing an admixture of fine pumice evenly spread over the lawn, is an excellent top-dressing, adding fertilisers at the same time. Digging Up Old Lawns. Lawns that have become exhausted and overgrown with weeds: The only remedy is to break up the surface by deep digging and sowing in oats for digging in to enrich the soil, and, if necessary, sowing in the spring; otherwise it is better to crop the ground to thoroughly clean it and re-sow this time next autumn. A well-made and properly-kept lawn is always one of the most pleasing features in connection with the garden and greatly adds to the appearance of the dwelling. consequently the lawn should receive every attention to have it in the best condition at all seasons. .

Laying Out New Grounds.

The laying out of new grounds and gardens by making drives and walks, and the arrangement of flower-beds and borders, and providing for the" planting of trees and shrubs, disposing . the . varieties in such a manner as to eventually produce the best and most pleasing effects, is a subject , :js\ probably engagingth ) attention of many at the present time. The successful laying out of grounds, can oiiiV be undertaken by those , who have acquired the art from experience, combined with a natural gift and love for it. I Many books are to be had treating upon ' landscape gardening, but it is moat difficult to follow any fixed plan that may be laid down, or. to .carry out the work .according to the models that' may be provided.

Small bity Gardens."

[ In small plots of ground surrounding our city residences gardens may bo designed and laid out according to fixed rules. But in dealing with larger areas this cannot be followed out, as the natural disposition of the land and its surroundings is in every instance quite different. The most successful results are invariably produced by the intelligent manner in which the designer makes use of the natural material at his disposal. new: ideas and improvements may suggest themselves as the work proceeds, it should not be commenced without a fixed idea as to the result calculated upon when finished.

Autumn Flowers.

I Cosmcea, the glory of the autumn garden, are in their fullest perfection and greatly prized for cutting and indoor decorations. They are also splendid dryweather plants and almost immune from insects. The different varieties of peren. nials, asters or Michaelmas daisies, also heleniums, notably the variety Riverton Gem, African and French marigolds, Phlox Drummondii, zinnias, and petunias are amongst the best kinds at this season. Dahlias are also about at their best, and provide an abundance of flowers for all

purposes. The large flowers of the pffiony dahlias are exceedingly attractive. The collarettes are very quaint and showy. The different kinds belonging to the cactus section are also greatly prized. Chrysanthemums follow on after The dahlias and provide a plentiful supply of flowers for garden decoration. They are most useful for cutting.

VEGETABLE-GROWING. In such weather as we have experienced during the last few months it has been almost impossible to carry on cropping with any reasonable amount of success without the aid of copious watering. This, however, is not always practicable, the result being a shortage of leading varieties of vegetables, particularly peas, beans, cabbages, and other crops, while lettuce and other varieties required for salads could not be grown without an abundant supply of water. The weather, however, has been all that could bo desired for working and sweetening all vacant ground, which should bo in excellent condition for sowing and planting as soon as ft favourable chance takes place.

Advantage of Raised Beds. In preparing ground for cropping at this season raided beds should be prepared, particularly for such crops _ as carrots, turnips, parsnips, spinach, onions, lettuce, and others of like character. If raised beds are formed about four feet in width it provides for free outlet for surplus moisture during the wet , winter months, while it allows a freer circulation of air and warmth to the roots, which must •naturally induce better root action and more rapid'growth than when sown on the flat and- sudden with water. Another

advantage is that weeding, thinning-out of the seeding crop, as well as hoeing and working of tho soil can be done without/ treading upon the soil. ■

Seedling Plants.

Up to the present it has been almost impossible to procure cabbage and other colworts flu for planting, for seldom has the fly been more numerous and destructive than during the dry season. Now, however, plants are comparatively free, and should be planted as soon as weather is favourable. In fact, every provision should be made for sowing and planting to provide for a good winter supply. Melons this season have been practically a failure, while marrow, cucumbers, and even pumpkins have produced but poor crops. Tomatoes, on the other hand, where they have been properly tended and sprayed to keep down caterpillars and other pests, have produced satisfactory crops. Earthing-up Celery. Early-planted celery, providing it has been kept well supplied with moisture, should now be sufficiently advanced for earthing up. In earthing, carefully draw the leaves together to prevent tne soil from getting into the hearts of the plants. A good plan is to tie each plant with raffia grass. This soon rots after the soil is drawn up to the plant, so that there is litle or no risk of the tics cutting into the stalk. The Asparagus Bed. Asparagus tops that have become yellow and ripened may now be cut off and the beds weeded ana lightly forked over. In this operation, however, care must be taken not to fork sufficiently deep as to injure the crowns. Manuring, however, should bo deferred until "the heaviest winter rains are over. If applied in autumn, the roots are liable to rot through excess of moisture, If, on tho other hand, a good mulching of manure is applied towards the end of the wet season the ma--4

nurial properties soon find its way to the roots and create healthy root action. A good coating of salt may be applied at the same time with advantage. The beds should always be kept free of weeds during' their season of rest, and over the crowns hand-weeding, instead of forking, is the surest means of protecting the crowns from injury.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. E.M.T., Dannevirke: The while appearance of tho leaves and on the young shoots of your rosea is the result of mildew, brought about by drought at the roota. The climbing varieties suffer most in this respect. They extract the moisture from the soil more auickJy to sustain the vigorous top-growtn. Fungicides are •practically useless for mildew under such conditions. The best preventive is to keep the soil moist, by occasional waterings. Sudden changes of temperature and draughts will bring about mildew. White scale is frequently found upon tho old stems of climbing and other roses. This is easily destroyed by brushing over the affected portions with Gishurst's compound or red oil, or by syringing tho bushes.

K.G., Rcmuera: Crickets are account- ! able for so many of your dahlias plants suddenly wilting and dying, such as the specimen sent. If you examine the stems just below the surface of the soil you will find that the bark has been eaten off, consequently the tops must die. Crickets are, owing to the dry weather, very numerous this autumn, and, as your garden adjoins an open paddock, they have free access. Your best plan will be to keep the soil well stirred "and free from weeds and to remove any surface mulch that you have around the dahlia plants, and to scatter a little fresh lime mixed with soot around each. " Novice," Ponsonby : From the middle of the present' month until the 20th of May U the best time to sow onion seeds to produce good young plants for transplanting in early Spring, and for use as spring onions. The seed may be sown broadcast

in narrow beds or in rows about 12 inches apart drawing shallow drills. Giant Rocca and Ailsa Craig are the best kinds for earliest sowings. Onions for pickling should not be sown before the spring; for this purpose the silver skinned varieties are preferred. For seed production and saving, select specimens of good even shape, and the largest size, and plant in "pod soil and in a sheltered position about the middle of July.

" Orchardist": Beurro de Oapiaumont pear is a good kind to intersperse with William's Bon Chretion for fertilisation purposes. Orchardists in America who first planted large blocks of Bartlett nears which is synonymous with Bon Chretien, found the trees unproductive until other kinds were planted amongst them for fertilisation purposes. "Rambler," Seaside: The mangrove, Avincennia officinalis, is one of the most unique plants in cultiv;' in. The multitude of stiff erect stems thai you refer to are the lungs of the tree from- which they breathe oxygen. Young plants are produced from seeds which have a peculiarity of dtarting growth before falling, from the parent trees, even producing rudimentary roots which soon penetrate the soft mud after falling, thus preventing the tide from dislodging them, otherwise the chances of germination would be greatly reduced. L.K., Mount Albert: In your light dry volcanic soil flower seeds succeed admirably sown at once in the open beds and borders. There are quite a number of hardy kinds suitable for present sowings, notably larkspurs, mignonette, wallflowers, candytufts, stocks, nemophila, acroliniums, rhodanthe collinsia, spnenogyne, dimorpotheca, silene, and several othors, including Virginian stock, which is a splendid border variety. Kxi'OS. j