THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17597, 9 October 1920, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

? BORDEE AND PATH EDGINGS. - •\ The planting.of,some varieties of edg- ; ing and^thej:rearranging r of: others* is necessary at this season. . Edgwgs -are indispensable in every i.garden, and a large variety of plants : aro.suitable for.the. purpose. Edgings of primroses, polyanthuses, cowslips, violets, ;J and daisies, . are now about at their best; the plants.belongingto j each being in full growth-and in the greatest of "flower. ... Provision . must now :bo made .' for., the summer flowering, ,aniJoliage^%ing3 For this purpose violas j are employed i.these may be; ; had inseparate''colours': white, yellow" arid purple. Pyrethrum auretrm, the golden feathery requires' to be • pirated»annually, either 'by division of the.old.; roots or by the.raising of seedlings; the latter, is the best process. The beautiful golden colour and dwarf character of" this plant n-.akes it very attractive' and serviceable.

Begonia Semperflorens. The different species of this fibrous-; rooted tribe of begonias are special favourites for summer bedding and edgings. They are. easily grown, and extremely floriferous; some of * the kinds, notably the variety Luminosa, have dark bronzy foliage; relieved by brilliant red flowers; others have pink and white flowers and different foliage. These begonias are usually sufficiently hardy to stand throughout the winter, but the severe frosts experienced'this Winter killed them, excepting in very favoured localities, necessitating replanting, Which is always desirable, as those that have stood ■ over have become exhausted by their continuous flowering and a'fe benefited by beinc divided into small pieces and replanted; or better still, by planting seedlings' that have been raised inside and pricked off into boxes in readiness for spring planting. Echeverias, in some instances, have also, been killed by frosts, and require to be replaced ; these are extremely populaV edging plants. They grow into pretty, rosette-like plants and flower freely ;n the autumn. \ Lobelias. Lobelias are well-known and extensivelyplanted dwarf-edging plants. They are easily grown and produce, the greatest profusion of flowers-for several months in succession. --: There is t a.. white-flowered species A but blues are much the most appreciated. '.-They are hardy and may be planted how". There is a variety that pro- i

duces lovely double blue flowers, and is very compact' in its growth. Dwarf varie-gated-leaved geraniums are also much prized for edgings they present a very pretty appearance, being very distinct in their foliage. .- Chrysanthemums.' The season has again come round for the planting of these, The Queen of Autumn Flowers." About the 15th. of this month .is the best time to commence the planting of those intended for the production of the large finely-finished show blooms; and for general garden decoration any time until toward the end of .November is suitable. Plants raised from cuttings, or suckers taken off with a few roots attached, and inserted for striking', and later.' boxed off as previously recommended, and hardened off, should be ready for .planting out this month. Select ft- . well-rooted, not lanky, drawn-up plank; further instruction Will be given as. to the best method of planting.

. Shrubs and Flowering Trees. w The gardens and grounds are now gay with a great .variety of flowering shrubs and trees, conspicuous among them be»S the yellow kowhai (Sophora tea Sera) I native species and remarkable for bein* one of the few deciduous indigenous & This tree » now laden with the„E profusion of pendent yellow flowers £ffi pretty in all stages of its Growth T S tree should be generally pkn!e d as ' ;f f qui e hardy and adaptor various as pects, succeeding close to the sta water" The scarlet and white kowhais, both dwarf omentum "I T ■ ™»S S^^ft^ ffiL* ft* 5 pears are a profusion of flowers SSSS and a whole host of duart. growW±.? green, and deciduous shrub S g add"te Z floral decorations.of the presentßeason

, TUBEROUS BEGONIAS * 01 ; dec °f tin « the greenhouse or eon making a really in* th« house.gay with flowers durint ?L the wide range of colour obtained both in the single and double varieties has made them one of the most >-,r,r>„iL,. flowers for inside dToiXn" 1 * 1 ForTu" side cultivation too these plants It valuable; the floriferous character of the plants makes a grand display. In ra £ ing the plants from seed, the seed should be sown in spring -\in a «]i.L, ,T ma heat, the soil Lsftuited^ei!fJ mhS <° l j.m leat mould, with a TittlTfi sand. -The pans in whicfr the seed Ito be sown should be thoroughly cleaned and ample provision made & free drain! age. .UJn/is the more essential as the plants require abundance of water and the soil soon becomes soured unless'"ere is a free outlet for surplus moisture

._ Raising Begonfes from Seed. A soon as the feed is sow,, cover the pan with a pane of glass; and had e with paper until the seeds show sjg Ils of germination, when the paper should be removed and glass lifted - sufficiently ' t«.

admit " th© air. . As-soon as the plants • large enough'to; handle they should" be pricked out into pots -or pans; and as.' soon as larg§ enbugh: to; Handle should-be , transferred into single pots."- When; once , -established they growivery quickly,"and -j williheedl potting in from, time to time,, according to their.i requirements."' -A l portion.of jweE : decomposed manure added j : ; to the «>il' when potting will be beneficial... . Plaits raised in spring and well cared for, will flower freely the first season. Tubers ; that have been at' rest during the winter | will ,now be again -starting into -growth.; -Water at this ' time - must be carefully i applied until active .growth sets in. ; As soon as the tubers are started they should be .shaken free of the old?soil and be.re.potted in a good rich comnost. After potting; water must be sparingly applied until there" is free root action. h { Gloxinia Culture, .-■-;■ Gloxinias ..decorating'-the -, conservatory through the summer and autumn have few [ equals. ' These are extremely showy arid j last a long time in>flower> - There are ! several types in cultivation, each making a lovely display .when well grown. The spotted or marked kind produce immense j flowers, the> throats r being beautifully spotted and marked. The varieties producing rich flowers are the best and most effective, for decoration purposes. . The soil best suited for gloxinias is a good fibrous loam and leaf mould in equal parts, with a' little silver sand added. It is safest not to use manure in the soil, but < j to administer manure in a liquid state,' when the plants become "well established with roots. T . - N

Gloxinia Bulbs. \ The bulbs should be.potted in small pots, according to size until fairly started, when they may then be shifted into their flowering pots. ' In the early stages of growth watering must be carefully conducted. The soii should be allowed to become nearly dry before water is given, but wbea once the plants are established, and are making fair growth, much barm will - result if. ' allowed " to become dry. Careful attention must be given to the temperature. The plants like a moist-, humid and regular temperature, and a moderately shady, situation, but sudden changes of temperature they do not like

\ VEGETABLE GROWING. ; The various crops in this department are now making a good show, the effects of warmer weather a noticeable difference. Hoeing, weeding and "thinning of the various crops must be attended to. The thinning is an important, operation, and too often neglected until the plants become too large to handle without doing injury to those that are left. In every instance sufficient space should* be left between the plants to allow them to attain' tie most usful sizs. Potatoes, peas and beans require moulding up as soon as they are few inches high; as the season advances the earthing up of such crops as require it, should be done" with greater care, drawing the soil up on either side of the row so as to leave a hollow along the rows. By this means' the rains that fall can soak into the 1 rows, but when earthed up so that a smooth ridge is formed the roots do not receive the full benefit of the rain. As the "warm weather is approaching, -a regular supply of suitable subjects for saladfe must be grown. To this end plant out more lettuce, and make fortnightly- sowings of . mustard, cress and radishes: stake tall growing peas and continue to sow peas and beans for succession.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. ET.S.J To Aroha.—From the middle to the Jbu of tniß month in the beet time for you to sow seeds of H&kea.. saligna where you intend them to grew into a. hedge. Dig » strip along the intended hedge-row and i arrange <eedß 12m. apart; place two©seeds together to mako surq of the germinating. Should both come up, either pull up or transplant one of them. Seeds of Acacia Bailayana intended for permanent hedge may be -sown in the same manner, but' at a distance of about sft. apart. Sow now, soaking the seeds in boiling water 12 hours before sowing them; cover about lin. in depth.

E. McC, Ohaupo.— exceptionally cold winter and succession of frosts is no doubt accountable lor your young lemons turning brown and shortly afterwards dropping. For the same reason the trees have shed-- some leaves. Prevalence of scale insects will, also cause a portion of the leaves to drop. You can easily detect the presence of scale on the trees by the black sooty ap-f pe&rance of the foliage. Farmyard manure is the best fertiliser lor citrus fruits, alternated with boneduat and basic or super eiag mixed .together. A fungoid disease called verrussis attacks lemons, causing the tfSdnto assume a rough brown appearance ana preventing the proper development of the fruits. The best remedy for this disease is a strong solution of Bordeaux mixture, the. 6.6.40 being the most effective. L.8.H., Hamilton. cannot prevent carrots and parsnips that were sown in the autumn, and are now fully grown, from running to flower stalks and seeding. As they are occupying valuable space, have them pulled up and trenched in or given to stock to 'eat. They are not fit for cooking, as the goodness of the roots has gone to develop the flower stems. K.G., Parnell. the many experiments in sowing different plants for the improvement of old exhausted kitchen-garden soils, the writer has found prairie grass much the best, and favours vetches and oats as the next best. , Lotus angustissimus and whiteseeded lupins are also good. The prairie grass is specially adapted to all soils, especially those of a wet, heavy nature. "It grows vigorously throughout the winter, and forms dense clumps if not sown ' too - thickly roots deeply and absorbs so much moisture that it keeps the soil dry. and provides an abundant crop of foliage and roots for trenching or deeply digging down to fertilise. Keep the ground porous, tho roots provide fibre. Sow the seeds thinly to allow the individual plants to grow into good clumps, which they will soon do., A -Sop-dressing with super elag after sowing' the seeds will aid growth and improve the soil. As a winter coyor the prairie grass prevents the soil from becoming battered and sodden, and is effective in keeping down and smothering weeds. M.L., Epsom.—Young seedling onions that present a yellow appearance ana are makin? ' no growth denote poverty of soil. " Apply a . light dressing of nitrate of soda, and in a very short time after 'the dressing you will find the onions have assumed a beautiful green ' appearance and have started into vigorous growth. Just a light sprinkling along the rows is sufficient; a second appli- j cation may be given in about three weeks' time. In applying nitrates to vegetable crops a little and often is the recognised practice. Kbpos.

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES. It is to be regretted that the use of the Jerusalem artichoke as a vegetable is not more general. Of all vegetables it is the easiest to grow; it adapts itself to any soil, and any situation or condition, It only asks for a medium amount of cultivation and a fair supply of water in the summer. Dr. Springthorpe, an authority on health,.once remarked that if people would only realise the dietic and nutritive value of the artichoke its use would increase a thousand-fold. It is a far heavier producer than potatoes, it contains far more nutritive matter than potatoes— probably twice as much— is grows far more readily than do those tubers. It may be cooked in any way that potatoes are cooked, and roast artichokes or artichoke " chips'* are especially fine. Any old corner of the garden may be used for growing a clump or row; and for a summer wind or sun-screen for protecting growing dahlias, chrysanthemums or other flowers, it serves an excellent purpose. The small tubejrs are planted a couple of inches underground in early spring; and if given" water in summer, the plants will attain a height of six or seven feet, or even more by February. Digging of the tubers commences about May, continuing for two or three months. The tubers should only be lifted as they are needed, as owin» to their thin skin, they shrivel quicklv if exposed 'to the air. There are 'two varieties, the purple skinned dfaj the white skinned. The former is more hardy, while the latter is of a more delicate flavour than the former.

SAVING CABBAGE SEED. The usual practice, when it is -desired to save- seed from particularly fine cabbages, is to cut off the heads in the usual way when they are ready for the table. In due course shoots spring up from the stocks or stems. From these arise the flower stalks, and subsequently the flowers, which must be covered with a screen or curtain of mosquito netting to prevent busy bees and other insects'crossfertilising the blossoms. In the case of cauliflowers a different line of treatment is followed. The chosen plants are left intact, because it is the inflorescence or flower-head which produces the blossoms, and the seeds. . Here again, of course, it ie» necessary to" provide effective "means for the prevention of cross-pollination.