THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17483, 29 May 1920, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

TRANSPLANTING. OPERATIONS:. The -weather and season are now both most favourable for transplanting operations. Trees and shrubs of all sizes may be removed from one place to another without injury, provided they have been properly prepared by wronchin'g, etc!, as previously recommended. The operation has the affect of checking the top growth ' of the tree or shrub. By cutting the larger roots the upward flow of Bap is retarded and descending, induces, young 'fibrous root action— most essential factor in the safe removal and replanting of all evergreen trees and shrubs. ~' The young rootlets 'thus produced ; hold the soil - together,; in. a ball, which otherwise would:, full away and leave the roots quite bare. Planting Directions. . In replanting be careful not to place the tree deeper in tho. ground than it origin, ally stood; Many planters err in placing them too deep as a safeguard against strong winds, irrespective of the ultimate injur; such a system of planting will have upon"the tree. Let. the tree be the same, depth as it originally stood before its re mova'l. .Hold, it in an upright position,, working well pulverised surface soil, in and around the roots, tread firmly, leaving the surface .filling light and loose; finally, if in aii exposed position, securely stake to prevent the tree from, being shifted from its;:.upright position by the .action, of the -winds ■ In dealing with l.arije shrubs, it is always advisable to /lighten the tops at the time of removal:by thinning, out some of the branches and shortening back others. By doing this the strain upon the roots will, not be «■ great in supporting.the tOpS ; ■' ,: ■ -. .. m.:' .'■-. Arrangement in" Planting, . Whilst treating upon the subject of transplanting, the proper arrangement of the trees and shrubs, particularly in the ; laving out .of new grounds, should receive every, consideration on the part of, the., planter, who should possess some know ledge of the varieties .selected.. and thus avo'd the - indiscriminate, system that is generally adopted in their allocation, irre

portant that the sap returned and that the vines are practically dormant'before pruning takes place, or there is a risk of their bleeding, and consequent weakening of the vines. It does not -necessarily follow, however, that all the leaves should have fallen before the operation is performed, . as some decaying foliage will often adhere to the laterals after the sap has returned. For this reason 1,.i0 often advise the amateur grower the vines before final pruning by shortening hack one of the lower laterals on the vines. This, however, should •■ not be done until most of.the. leaves .have fallen and the wood is well ripened. Pruning Different Varieties. ■-. i ..The ripening of the wood depends, in a very great measure upon the treatment the border has received, and the condition of the roots. When growing.in. borders that; have been:well prepared,-end tho vinos aro furnished with abundance of .surface roots,; the ripening .. process is rapid and certain, . while the wood is solid and free from excessive pith .Where a number of different varieties, some «arly and late, are grown in the same house, the pruning roust naturally extend over a longer period, :so ; that careful: judgment must be exorcised.' Ores Colman, for instance, may, in some instances, still have fruit hanging, and mav ; be some weeks before they are sufficiently ripened f r. pruning. so that the whole, of the house cannot be properly cleansed until all - the vines are pruned. . Separating Varieties. The system of growing a number of vareties,' early, medium,, and late in one house, .makes, it ,difficult, . particularly io the amateur, to.know when to prune, and it is certain that much better success would be attained if thiii efforts were confined to growing varieties that ripen fairly early; and that are less, d fficult to grow . successfully. . In. any case, much better results wou'd: be attained if the latest .varieties were grown in ft house by th.emiiolvcs. as '.they could then be treated ill "the •way that would best onsure success. As .soon as the vines are pruned remove all the loose bark from the canes, but in no case scrape the vines with the knife, or..in any way wound or injure the inner bark. Before doing this: hoy ever the vines should be painted with some insecticide to destroy