THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17651, 11 December 1920, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

THE GARDEH AT ITS BEST.

The holiday season Is now near at hand, consequently the garden and ; grounds ' should he. placed in the best possible condition to give the cultivator leisure to have a few weeks' respite during the Christmas season, and to enjoy the result of his past labours. Lawns and other portions of the grounds that are laid down in grass should have their surfaces closely mown. All weeds must be eradi--1 cated from the walks and drives, and the grass edgings neatly, trimmed. The beds and borders, too, should 'be hoed over, and any weeds pulled out from among seedling and other plants. Not a weed should be seen throughout the garden. Roses should have all the dead and decaying blooms removed in order to strengthen the plants and prolong the flowering period and impart a neat appearance to the bushes. Staking and Tying Up. Several plants 'Will need attention to staking, regulating and tying up. Chrysanthemums must have the superfluous side shoots pinched off, and the leading branches tied' up as they advance in growth. Dahlias need constant atten* tion, when the plants are in vigorous growth, to tying the side branches up to their supports, and thinning out some of the shoots when too crowded. The best system of training a dahlia bush is to take it up on one single stem from the ground, with the side branches evenly distributed to produce a symmetrical bush. To properly tie out and arrange the_ branches three stakes to each plant are an advantage. Carnations, pinks, and picotees are now about at their best. They are flowering splendidly, and well deserve and repay for the extra attention in tying up their flower stalks to keep the blossoms clean and show them off to best advantage. Floral Display. Gardens are' everywhere bedecked with the utmost profusion of blossoms. Climbing wichuriana and rambler roses are now at their best, rambling in the wildest profusion over fences and hedge rows, arches, trellises, pergolas, stumps of trees and covering sloping banks, presenting a gorgeous mass of colouring. Dorothy Perkins and other varieties belonging to the same section are greatly in evidence. Japanese irises are conspicuous with their large showy flag-like blossoms, the colouring and shades being most unique and diverse in their appearance. Pelargoniums and fuchsias are also in their full glory. Both are indispensable ornaments of the flower garden. Fuchsias are extremely interesting and graceful in their habit of growth and and are most ncriferous. Oalla and Other Lilies. Calla Elliottiana, with its conspicuous rich • golden yellow flowers, and prettilyspotted foliage, also other varieties of callas and amaryllis, notably the Jacobean lily are. objects of special attraction in the flower beds at the present season. Coreopsis grandiflora is also in full flower, presenting a mass of yellow blossoms on long stiff stems. They are splendidly adapted for cutting for indoor floral decorations. Antirrhinium are also, a profusion of flower. These plants have come greatly to the fore, and are now considered indispensable in all gardens. The compact habit of the plants, floriferous character, arid very delicate, and lovely shades, also the rich colouring of others, make them general favourites. Planting Arrangements, In preparing for the holiday season every vacancy in the flower beds and .•borders should" be filled. "Wherever there is a bare - spot have-, it planted-—annuals being the best to fill in with. Were it not for annuals the garden would not be ! nearly so interesting, as .they produce such a brilliant and effective display, and are such a change when' compared to the perennials. • Many 'object to annuals on account of the continued renewals that have to be effected. On the other hand, when* they have completed their flowering they,, may be cleared away, leaving the ground bare and enabling -it to be manured and properly dag over in readiness for; replanting. . ' ) BUSH HOUSES. to * climate such as we possess it is surprising the small r number of - bush nouses that are erected* yet probably no part of- the garden is more interesting, and affords greater pleasure than a well! furnished bush house. In small gardens, of course, space would scarcely permit of them, but in larger gardens a suitable ppot can 'always be, found where a shade house could be erected with advantage. During the summer a shade house is always a favourite resort, as it affords a l pleasant shelter from the sun, and pro- ; vides a cool atmosphere free from draughts. But in addition to the enjoyment derived from* the cool airaaj pleaseat shade it also provides (in addition to permanently planted plants) a place where pot plants may be established that are required for window or ; table 'decora- ; tion, or for wintering ; plants that are. [grown outside during the summer. Ferns and Palms. ! ferns and palms succeed well in & bush house, and require ? little other attention, i than that ox watering. .-> Many parsons fail to grow fern and other' plants, who would without doubt succeed 5 they tried to grow, them* in a suitable shade house, when the hardier varieties would be more in their natural elements, and 4 would thrive accordingly. Many means may ;be designed for the internal arrangement of the house. ■ Bockeries may be provided, for the planting of ferns, lycopodium and other suitable subjects, -while palms, tree', ferns, draccenas, asparagus and other subtropical plants that will impart an Oriental appearance may be tastefully arranged: being planted m positions to produce the ; best effect. t s- ; For the outside of the house ' climbers may be grown to imparl a more natural appearance and add beauty to the surroundings. In selecting varieties for this care must be taken to choose the kind that are most suitable and least likely to harbour insects,- and that will not grow too dense. '«Deciduous varieties should that shed their leaves in winter when- more light is required

Building a Bush House. In .erecting a shade hous« choose a situation that, is well sheltered from the cold south-west winds, the entrance being made at the most sheltered end. in* building a shade houso fairly strong uprights should be used, while the framework may be comparatively light as there is but little weight to support. The ends and j sides can be made of inch laths; thesd should be arranged half an inch apart, and nailed to the horizontal 3 by 2 scantling that is supported by the strong uprights forming the framework. For the ■ top a light framework of scantling will : to required to support the too covering. The top ca n be covered with the same kind of laths as used for the sides, or by covering with tea-tree, or other suitable- material. The construction °1t a ' shade house is quite simple while the cost is small compared to the pleasure that can be derived from it. Thinning Fruit. The season is now at hand when the subject of thinning out. of fruit must be considered. -In tar too many instances trees receive but little consideration when carrying their fruit; yet it is only a matter of common sense that a tree is much better able to bring to perfection a moderate quantity of fruit than a heavy one. : Ifc is true that a healthy vigorousgrowing tree can develop and mature more fruit than , a weaker specimen but in spite of this the spirit of moderation should be allowed to predominate in arriving at a decision's to the exact amount 01 fruit the trees should be allowed to ' carry. .-Too object (in private •'* garden*j particularly} ■«'•*»' secnxa.sood.wsll dAT%

Mill I * ~ 111 &S= •-rs'fS.'.':. ■—■> .''•<••--■-.- -■■'^-''■,:-:->: : :: loped fruit, hence necessity for timeig thinning. With such fruit as apples thes£« need be little or no waste *in J thinning, © there is always a demand for thief© CO soon as they have Stained sufficient : size for cooking.' 4 In." some cases more than others is the necessity for thinning 'ap»j£| parent. . Strong . vigorous-growing . vane, ties may be made to carry heavier "crops than weaker-growing trees. . Drawbacks of Over Cropping. It is no uncommon thing to see stunted specimens which have been brought to that condition by overcropping. Boms persons will go to any amount of trouble in propping up heavily laden branches to: prevent breaking, but cannot sum up the courage to remove half the fruit, so as to allow of their development. Probably in no fruit grown is failure in thinning more exemplified than with the Japanesa plums. In many instances these set so freely and become a dense mass that it is impossible for them to develop, wittf the result that small tasteless fruit is produced. Thinning, in fact, is a rule that ig closely associated with ell branches of gardening, and the adoption of it is the secret of the' production of the finest flowers as well as fruit. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " New Chum," Cabbage Bay.—lt is alwayj beneficial to keep the surface soil around fruit trees, including ■ vines, slightly stirred Passion-fruit vines need very little prnrrins, a slight trimming .being all that is necessary. Persimmons require little or no pruning) They succeed best in a moderately dry soil ■with a fairly stiff sub-soil. A river flat thai ia -well drained provides ideal conditions, ■Rosea pruned in September, which is very late, should blossom about the end of Novem» ber. Variations in the markings of th* flowers often occur. 6.L.. Cambridge. leaves to ident?r» are barely sufficient; a branch shouts have been sent. They probably belong to the Diospyros Virginiana, the Virginian peg, simmon or date plum, or Diospyros lotus, tna European lotus or common date plum. Both species are long in coming into fruiting. " Log;.," - Epsom.The decay are leaves oS loquat are the result of a fungtMi that at« tacks this tree. It also causes, the bark to crack in places. Dressing with Bordeaux mixture should be applied before the young soring growth starts. Some seedlings no ao» set fruits, and are non-bearing. H.S.. Hokianga. baa been nrfslaii but from your description it belongs, to the Yucca family, probably, Yucca gloriosa <# Yucca aloefolia. Kindly send eaother fknrej to properly identify. G.J.N.,, Sfasterton.The solution used ia combination was too strong for the young foliage, and altogether ineffective for woolly aphis. You should have dressed the trees with red oil during the winter for the aphis. For spring and summer treatment for tea destruction of aphis on apple trees Black Leaf 40 is the most easily applied and effective, Directions for use are printed on eaoa bottle. K.M., Mount Eden.—Swsinsonfa alba Is ths name of the plant of which von send a fetf flowers. It is very showy at the present tiroqf with its numerous spikes of pure white, pen* shaped blossoms. J.W.5.., Wairire.—Knigktia exeelsia (rewa» rewa is the native name), a genus of pnl* three species, one belonging to New Za&uvca and two to New Oalendonia. Our rjatrw) species is an exceedingly handsome tree of symmetrical pyramidal habit of growth j goo» ceeds in poor soils and in exposed poatlcasi and should ba extensively planted. H.CJEL, Glenbrook.—lnsect to identify does i not belong to the beetle family. It is the cicada, commonly but erroneously , called )ocust, that makes such a singing noise. 1: is destructive upon the young shoots^ of frai; trees and some other plants in maMas jrp visions to deposit its eggs in. to many m> stances causing the shoots to break off where I the wounds have been made. " Huapai Fruitgrower." the Bow thistles and other weeds and placing theaj on' the surface around the tree forma a goes mulch;' but where crickets abound it provide® an harbour for them, ana should either ba dug under or removed when crickets begin, to make their appearance. P.A* Waikino.—lattle and of»sa fe th» maxim in using nitrate of soda to cabbages and allied crops J 41b, to 40 square yards la a liberal and effective,dressing, applied ever? 14 or IS days j or & light sprinkling around each plant with the hand ia preferable, A little practice soon enables one to gauM the amount required. Astonishing results sst produced by the judicious use ox this Uff> tiliser. " Amateur Botanist.** —You must h** 3 art* read the notes you refer to treating upon deciduous trees. Ulmus mantana pencula is the correct name of the weeprcg elm, Prunu3 Piseardi refers to Jtha purple-leaved plum OJ Persia, a. distinct genus to the tumas. Botanical names are frequently subject to revision. The proper name of tee rauii is now Agathis Australia instead of Bamm«S» Australia, which it is"'beat known by. The name - agathis was. given, bv a. -pseysou* botanist. "The New Zealand FlorajT Tarn T. F. Cheeseman. Ewq., is the .• beat end most reliable book upon New Zealand treas I and plants. : - . . :.-. . Eejos.

GORGEOUS JAOARAHDA, The Jacarsnda (immcsifolia) fe worth} of a place in any gardes. Thin magau> cent tree produces largo masse® of lffroi> dor blue flowers in early sasaß..V* Kg fern-like soft foliage is 'most attrscfivs, and for the first two or three years » makes one of the brightest shrubs' yen* can get By rational pinching out of ! the tips during the early growth ;it cat he formed into a bushy, shapely tree, -which will later grow to a height of '20 fee* and mora. Pinching during, the growing period is better than cutting when tbj Crest is dormant. VALUE of A aruLoa If you want to prevent the sun froaj baking your plots, ' and want to conssr?# moisture, mulching is an invaluable ©para* tion in the garden, at the present iia» Well decayed-cow or horse manure cany-, ing a percentage: of ammonia and other fes« tifising elements are ideal for this .* purpose, lAnd each layer should -be spread ova? beds in which seedlings have been teans* planted, as well as among older plants, Give each seedling a drink, and then turtt on -the sprinkler for a while. Good sees* lings treated like this will not- be so liable to ' droop. ; Some amateuro water the ground' first and - then apply the mulch. That is nottihe right way to do it.. Pol the mulch on first, and -prater sites. SOU* A3TD SEE3S. The soil upon which seeds are _ eowfil should be fairly firm, and it is a good plan, after filling '-seed pots, to press the sofl down; then sow on the smooth firm sn> face, sprinkling a little dry sand over the seeds, press them again into soil slightly with something flat, so that ho seeds stick to it, and then cover loosely with more sand. Some amateurs : will pay a good price for the best seeds, spare no en* pense in' labour "and- skill to provide the conditions moat suitable for germin&tion and early growth, and then throw away all chances of success by thick sowing. Seeds sown too thickly smother each other to such an extent that none are left with strength enough to stand alone, - and at times the entire bow lug is swept off- At other times a few escape, hut in such 9 crippled condition that they never outgrow the over-crowding of their youth. Given room to grow, they com© up strong, and continue in good health, being finished with a robust constitution in having had a good start. In fact, the arj of seed raising 7s one of the highest hnj portance, for it is in the early growth of plant life that the foundations of faturf growth and usefulness are laid. j ROSES AND THREPS. , Thrips are the worst pests that the ross grower has to contend with. They art difficult insects to deal with, on account of their habit of crawling into the centre of white or light-coloured roses, and sucking the juices out of the petals. This causes them to turn a dirty brown colons. In some instances they die before the flower is fully, open. They are minuts insects. The eggs are extremely small cylindrical, and round at one end. From them issue little larvae* quite as active as their parents. When the . insects are folly grown their _ wings are long, narrow, and lie flat on their back when at rest. They are, surrounded with hairs, giving them the appearance of tassels. Various reine' dies have been tried, but, in the opinion of Mr. French, the best are as follow.— Benzols emulsion is a patent preparation, which can be obtained from any chemist. The cost per tin is only a few penceOne tinful will, when diluted, make &* gallons of spray. If this is sprayed on the rosea it acta as a deterrent. The smell of the benzole remains for soma days. As a deterrent, spraying with tai impregnated water, ot a weak kerosene emulsion, is recommended in hot weather. A good hosing with cold water would ba beneficial. The following i 3 the formolai! for coal tar water: —Boil lib. coal ta* in two gallons of rain water, and add* while hot. fi»ni§a gaßppa ta IPCS aiScffig $8 hsSss«- -.■. ■**■,■-■ •"•;■;