THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17145, 26 April 1919, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

*•>' ■■<■■■ ' .-■.'.,-.y-;;;..£,.. I .V- 5 !'";.., / ' Autumn Tints, '!• ; ,i,« I i Autumn -'tints' fiat • adorn and Beautify the landscape 'are more conspicuous' than usual at this season. The protracted drought has brought the trees to & standstill;■ the cold.night temperature has also aided in the early maturation of the foliage .and producing the 'gorgeous lei.' tints forming' such striking A contrasts "■•.interspersed amongst the evergreens. The following are worthy of special notice for inclusion in new/ plantations:—Liquid amber styraciflua, the sweet gum pi North America, an interesting species at, all seasons. In early spring the bursting leaves emi* a sweet perfume, and throughout the autumn assume yellow/purple, and crimson tints.' This may be singled out as one of the best for' general planting. The different varieties of oaks, notably, Quorcua coccinea, the scarlet oak; Q. Rubra, the red; also, Q. Palastris, the pink oak, are remarkable for the brilliance of their decaying autumn foliage, the scarlet being the moat gorgeou in its leafage Liriodendron tulipnferam, the tulip tree, is a fitting companion to the foregoing. The large leaves of this tree tram to a rich golden yellow..^ The golden ash is not only remarkable for its leaves in the autumn,' but for tho. rich golden' colour,, of its stems and branches alter the. leases have fallen, which. render it at all times a distinct and pleasing subject. ,' Taxodium disticham,.- the deciduous Cyprus, a largegrowing tree with ' spreading • head and dense yew-like . foliage," is another handsome' subject fit"' all seasons. .In'late autumn its leaves turn 'a rusty-brown colour and last a long time before.falling. The Sasilbria adiantifolia, or maidenhair ■ tree. of China, is gorgeous in its autumn garb

and most conspicuous, being of symmetrical, upright habit, clpthed in golden leafage. The Lombardy and others poplars are pleasing objects at this season. Fruit Trees. There are also a number of fruit trees, notably, the Japanese persimmons, the large leaves changing from dark glossy green to gorgeous tints of yellow, deep crimson,. scarlet. The fruits of this species being on the treeii at- the samo tune give them a most unique and ornamental appearance. Planted towards the back of the mixed border and on the outskirts of the shrubbery, persimmons are most effective. Other Japanese fruits are most desirable for the autumn foliage. Lagerstrcema indica must not be omitted amongst shrubs that are remarkable for their autumn foliage. It is one of tho first to assume a brilliant scarlet appearance. Rhus succendanea, the Chinese wax tree, one of the sumachs, is well known in our gardens, being extensively planted for the gorgeous beauty of its most graceful foliage. Viburnums, or guelder roses, with quite a number of other deciduous shrubs, including Japanese maples, are worthy of cultivation, if only on account of their autumn leafage. THE FLOWER GARDEN. The effects of dry weather are everywhere apparent throughout the garden, and are interfering to a considerable extent with the floral display. The cold night temperature has also had an injurious effect upon summer flowering annuals, bringing*their season to a close. Dahlia blooms aro becoming thin. Chrysanthemums, if supplied with moisture by watering, benefit by dry weather' conditions.

The flowers are purer in colour and free from damp, and the foliage is freer from rust and other leaf diseases. Springflowering bulbs are not making much headway. On the other hand, conditions have been most favourable for ridding the beds and borders from weeds and digging up and manuring all vacant spaces and sweetening the soil and making preparations for early Bowings and plantings. THE ORCHARD. Transplanting. The season is again drawing near for lifting and transplanting all classes of trees and shrubs, so that anyone contemplating planting, whether it be fruit, shelter, or ornamental trees, will do well to have all necessary preparation made before the time of lifting. Some time ago, I called attention to the importance of breaking up and cultivation of the soil during; the dry weather. Unfortunately such weather has continued up to the present and many crops have suffered in conse--o"ence. It has, however, afforded ample opportunity for breaking up, working, and sweetening the soil and placing it in the best possible condition for the planting of young trees. Planting itself is but a simple operation compared to the labour of placing the soil in a condition that will ensure growth after trees are planted. The amount of preparation required will naturally'depend upon the quality of the soil, and the treatment it has received before being used for trees. Land, for instance, that nas been in crop or that has been previously broken up and used for pasture, will not require the treatment 'hat stiff I unbroken virgin land would need. In such soil in addition to breaking np the had

draining may be necessary. • One thing is certain, whatever- the nature of the .land may bo there must bo free outlet for surplus water— while a certain amount of moisture is : rieceßary to kee? the trees in a healthy, growing condition, no trees can thrive if there is an excess of it. To simply dig holes in such land is to court failure, as they form reservoirs for water in which the roots of the harditst trees cannot thrive for any length' of tfcae.

Preparation of the Land. To prepare the land and do the work well at the outset may cost- a little more, but the result in the ling run will prove more profitable, as the trees will thrive and crop better, while fruit of much fine? quality will be produced. It is far better to'plant a small area and ensure success than to risk failure by planting in unprepared ground. In laying, out an orchard some provision must be made in providing shelter from the prevailing winds. In positions that are exposed it may be necessary to plant a belt of evergreens, such as macrocarpa, lawsoniana, or even pines. This however will chiefly apply to very open positions, and even id such* cases the belts should be kept well away from the fruit trees. Light and Air.

But while shelter is necessary, particularly in exposed positions, too dense a shivta by.no means an advantage for inosi. hardy fruits. It must be borne in mind that all deciduous fruit-bearing trees are benefited by being well exposed to light and air in late autumn and during their season of rest. Their rest Beaion is so short that unless fairly well exposed the wood cannot sufficiently ripen to ensure) sound, well-matured bude. When the orchard is placed in a comparatively sheltered position, a bolt formed of hardy fruit-bearing trees, such as quince, cherry, plum, or other hardy varieties that would afford the necessary shelter during the

fruiting season, would also in time produce fruit of some market value. In addition to preparing the soil, every detail should bo carefully planned out before the season of lifting. In doing thialFis necesary to

select the most sheltered positions for the more tender varieties, such as the peach, nectarine, and apricot. The soil too, most be considered. Soils in most places selected for an orchard varies, and is more suitable to one variety of fruits than others. Nothing should be lb.'*, to chanca but should! be carefully considered and plannod out before the time of planting. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. H.A., Hokianga: Bone char (burnt bnnescontains up to 70 per cent, of phosphate of lime, but no nitrogen, as compared to from 50 to 53 per cent, of high-grade bonedust. It is quieter in its action, but probably not so lasting. Mixed with superphosphate in_ equal parts bone char is a valuable fertiliser for sowing with grass seed or for top-dressing grass paddocks, and is lasting m its effects. T.J.,Morrinsville: The shallot (allium ascalonicum) is a native of -Palestine, and has been cultivated from a very remote period for culinary purposes. # There are two or three varieties in cultivation. A form known as the Russian or large red produces large bulbs' of a reddish-brown colour. There is also the common brown, and an improved form of it called large golden, and also a silver-skinned or nearly white shallot. The Jersey shallot has much larger and rounder bulbs than the true variety, but does not keep as long. Shallots prefer rich soil. "Novice": ftjay is the best time to plant potato onions. Separate the bulbs and plant in rows 2ft apart and 12in in

the rows. This variety is not propagated by seeds. Coating such seeds as cabbage, cauliflowers, turnips, etc., with red lead is a good preventive against small birds palling up the seedlings as soon lis they appear above ground. Moiston the red lead sufficient for it to adhere to some of the seeds. The best plan, however, is to have wire-covered frames made for planting over the seed beds. " Anxious to Know," City: The remarkable scarcity of mushrooms Ibis autumn in our paddocks and in the country districts is due to the exceedingly dry Bt.&lje of the soU and rlso to the cool nighta. Frosts havo alwady occurred in many places. Maize crops have been scorched by frosts. A heavy rainfall is badly needed everywhere tp resuscitate and benefit our gardens and pastures. Kotos. '