THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17889, 17 September 1921, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE GARDEN.

EDGINGS AND -BORDERS.

Edgings:— consisting of violets, prim- j roses, polyanthus, cowslips, daisies, arme_rias or sea pinks, echeverias, and box, also grass, tiles, cement, and other permanent materials that may be used for dividing the beds and borders from the walks-greatly add to the appearance of he garden and grounds, and are essensoi t<t T\ fche ed S« and keeping the J.,£ workm S °* to the walks* andbed? VI£TJ r ndin S some of the acter" ™S. it - SS l*™w>ent character—such as lobelias, violas, freezia* S 6 xzephyranthes, Candida beSRtSSSff 11 *? 8 and its varietiesl-are ifS W1- gIDgS - C £ daa S alternated with lobelias are effective dwarfgrowmg, free-flowering plants when arranged near the tile or concrete edging. Virginian stocks Are charming annuals ?<, bordering ; they are very hardv, and flow • early, proving a bright display when there is a. scarcity of other flowers." When past % may be taken up and replaced by Phlox Crummondii or dwarf French mangolds, which are the best of ail summer flowering., annuals, lasting well into the winter. ~ ■. « Echeverias.

The species "Secunda glauca" is one of tlie best, most permanent, and extensively grown for general edging purposes. It increases easily as it annually produce* large numbers of offsets or side growths which can be removed to grow into good plants in a short space of time. The side growths, when allowed to remain upon the parent plants, gradually form a close, mass of rosette-like plants that form a dose border, and keep the soil from working down upon the walks or grass bordering" Itiere are numerous varieties. The glauca above described has bluish-white leaves adding to its appearance. Glauca major! a large form, is also effective. Echeveria metalic* v.i used in central positions in bed-dmg-out designs, where it is very distinct with its large fleshy-bronze foliage of a metallic hue. Echeverias are now classed under the genus Cotyledon. Most of the species are excellent rock-garden pUnts C. sempervivum is the well-known hiuse leek or navelwort. Begonia semperfic rens (always flowering), of which there are several named varieties, more or less distinct either in the colour and size of the flowers and foliage, and alio in their habit of growth, are most' useful bedding and border plants; they are so easily grown and produce their flowers in the greatest profusion throughout the whole of the summer and well into the winter. The dwarf compact kinds should be chosen for the outer edges of the beds.

Antirrhinums. Snapdragons are now considered indispensable in every flower garden. The marvellous new creations and improvements that have been effected in this once oldfashioned and despised flower places them among the.most effective and popular of bedding plants. The objectionable purple shades have been eliminated and replaced' with deep crimsons, pure whites, glowin" orange scarlet, coral red, delicate" pinks" apricot and other art shades. * Antirrhinums flower from early summer to late into the autumn and early winter. The tall varieties are effective against the dark green of a hedge or shrubbery. For general bedding purposes the intermediate section ■>& the best; a border of mese plants with the tall growers at the back, next the intermediates, and dwarfs for the front row. By arranging these to colour, a glorious display and most telling effect may be produced.

Delphiniums. Both the annual, commonly called larkand the perennial varieties produce long spikes of bloom, of striking beauty. The improved hybrids with their tall, stately spikes of bloom are most effective dotted here and there in groups in. the mixed border and also in seperat* beds. There are single and double-flowered varieties in lovely blue shades from celestial and clear gentian blues to darker shades. Delphiniums are of special value for cutting for table and other indoor decorations. During the spring season precautions must be, taken to prevent slugs from preying upon the new young growths, as they are particularly partial to these plants. Fortunately, the exceptionally dry period during the last six weeks has afforded ample opportunities for getting rid of these pests. Consequently the plants never looked better, and promise splendid results. The , larkspurs! are much more easily grown; they are , ! annuals, they flower abundantly, seed freely, and after the old plants Hie as a rule an abundant crop of seedlings come up; grow m\o good plants, only requiring attention to thinning, in their turn flower and provide a display almost throughout the whole year. These annual delphiniums are quite hardy and of different habits of growth; some are tall and branching, others intermediate, and some J quite dwarf and"' compact. The flowers comprise various shades of blue, white, pale mauve, rosy scarlet, and lovely' pinks. .The taller -kinds are most suitable for the mixed border. !

Gnilladias and Qodetias. Are amongst the most useful plants to grow for general garden decoration and for cutting; they are extremely hardy, and flower almost continuously in the winter. When, there are few other flowers, some gaillardias maybe had. The large-flowered, unproved hybrids produce gorgeously-col-oured blossoms of various colours, including clear golden yellow and selfs, brilliant crimsons edged with gold. Some have prettily-quilled flowers; they are easily grown, and usually last in perfection for at least two years. They reproduce true form. Seedlings raised in the usual manner should now; be ready for planting. Godetias are not grown as extensively as they should be. They are extremely easy to grow, and continue in full beauty for a considerable time. The improved tall double-flowered varieties produce long sprays of loffely blossoms that are much prized for cutting. The flowers develop and the sprays lengthen after being placed in water. They are excellent border plants. Now is a suitable time for planting selections- from the preceding and also numerous other annual and biennial plants.

VEGETABLE GROWING. Early sown crops .are beginning to feel the effects of the harsh drying winds and the want of a good- rain. This is quite unusual-at this .season of the year, a* sowing and planting is more often delayed during August by iheavy rain and wet condition of the soil. The soil, however, is in excellent condition for working, and this is the best means. of maintaining healthy growth. To keep the soil well moved under present, conditions gives the plants a chance to make good roots, is it not only allows the warmth to penetrate the soil but assists "bo retain the moisture. Shallow hoeing, however, in dry weather is-of little value, lightly forking or deep hoeing between the rows being more effective. This treatment in fact is essential throughout the growing season or until the crops are matured, and •when watering is indulged in it is even more essential that the surface be broken up as soon as the soil is workable.

Succession of Crops. To keep up a succession of crops sowing should still be made at reasonable intervals, but only in such quantities as meets household needs. In very many instances far too much seed is sown at one lime, and in gardens of small -area, nearly the whole space is covered with one sowing instead of leaving space for Kuecessiofeal crops. Early-planted potatoes have had every chance to succeed there being but, little risk of the tubers rotting through excessive moisture, while there has been but little frost to affect the more advanced plants. The i reseat. however, is a good time to plant out. a break for general use, and ; i the sets have been started as advised tome weeks ago they will soon show above- ground, and show tew if any misses in the beds.

The Crops to Sow. Toward the end of the month sowing can be made of dwarf and runntr beans. Unless in a very warm situation, however, little is gained in sowing until there is plenty of warmth in th soil- Pumpkins, marrows, and cucumbers may now be sown, but for the latter a warm shel-

tered situation must be selected. - - Is ' raising these the safest method'is to placer' a skallow box' or ti;s &■«? where the seed is, sown, and .cove? vnih. a pane of glass - until ' the ■' plants' ara raised. As soon as the plants are well established the glass should bo Tadnaily removed until the plants are well hardened, to stand without protection. With rock and watermelons nothing is gained by sowing until th end of nest month. Early Tomatoes. Tomato plants may now be planted out? for early use, . particularly vhere Ine situation is warm and sheltered, but fos Igeneral crops the plants can be put out any time, from the end of the present month until November. There are tew vegetables more in demand or ars mere extensively grown than tomatoes, in Jacfc there are but few gardens, however small, in which the tomato is not reprew* '' Its importance both in tb e vegetable garden and for commercial purposes is so great that every effort known in the gardening art has 'been employed in the production of new and improved varieties, each having some qualities to recommend them.

The Best Tomatoes. The best varieties to grow, however, depends in a great measure upon the requirements of the grower. If grown fop market, and profit by no means experiment in quantity upon new varieties butselect for the main crop the kind that bay a.ready been proved to be a ood cropper, and that will succeed under ordinary conditions of culture. If. on the other hand, tney are simply fc> homo consumption without regard to quantity it is both interesting a n,| instructive t'o grow and test new varieties. While the tomato will produce a fair crop of fruit under almost any circumstances there is no crop that ,11 more arnpiv repav OF good care and attention.

Heavy Croppers. The amount of fruit that can he growa upon a few plants is surprising when proper attention is given to their culture Any ordinary garden soil will 'hw tomatoes successfully, providing it "bis been worked and used for ordinary crops To plant in ground that has been heavily enriched with nfanure is not advisablein such ground the plants make such rank and luxuriant growth that double the amount of time and labour is entailed in stopping and cutting out useless growths while, the bunches of fruit are few and far between. If, on the other hand, they are planted in soil that .has been worked and used for other vegetable crops,* the growth will b e slower, but sturdy shortjointed growth will be made and bunches of fruit will form at short distances apart the whole length of tha plant. * Pruning and Manuring Tomatoes. No one can, deny that the tomato Is a very gross feeder, and that it requires abundance of nourishment to assist the plants in developing their fruit; but this is best given after the fruit is formed.. as it is-fhen. the plants require most assistance., and are most benefited' by its use. The next important mattes is tnstraining of tha plants. When trained to stakes or trellis there is no doubt the single stem method is the best, that is, allowing only one stem to grow to each! plant, keeping all side laterals removed so that the whole energies of the plants are directed to the development of the fruit. But whether one, two, or three leading shoots are allowed to' grow, ths system of stopping or removnig lateral growth should be the same. Care must ba taken to preserve every bunch of fruit that forms on these main shoots, and. after they hav 6 attained a height of trie, stakes or trellis, say'three feet sis to foui, feet, they should be stopped, as little* advantage is gained even if bunches form. beyond that height, as they rarely eves* 7 - ripen.

CULTIVATING FRUIT TEEES. The season up to the present has all that could b desired for orchard work. At this time the whole* of the orchard or garden in which fruit 1 trees are growing should be placed in ,-s: thorough state of cultivation, the soiV | being frequently stirred to prevent undue ' evaporation, and to allow the air and ; warmth to penetrate and assist to pro* mote healthy root action. ~Thorougk cul- ' tivation and giving the trees manorial assistance . annually are the prime Agents' in keeping them in a healthy frnitfal , condition; and the more profitable con-*'' dition the trees are in the more liberalshould be tht. treatment.

Manuring lor Fruit. In applying manure, however, the con* dition of the trees must be considered and some judgment exercised in its application. For instance, young healthy vigorous-growing trees will not require strong stimulants, as they have sufficient energy to develop flowers and fruit with little or no further assistance. It is fcha older trees that carry regular and heavy crops of fruit that need all the assist* ance that can be given. In too XBanjjt instances poverty is the cause of unfruit* i fulness; for ' although Jthe trees flower freely their flowers are but formed so that perfect fertilisation, cannot take -place. With such.- trees thor< ough cultivation and manuring is the only remedy. Trees that have been recently planted need special attention, tha ! soil around the trees should be well broken up;, and a mulch of some suitable | material applied. The harsh drying ; winds and condition of tha soil at th*> ! present time shows the necessity of sue'tfe ' precautions being taken to protect tee; l trees from injury.

Mulching Fruit Trees. Manure is naturally the best- mulch if obtainable, but failing this any material that will assist to arrest; evaporation) should be used. All evergreen trees such; as lemons, oranges, loqoats, or should be securely staked as great damage, and often loss of plants, results from their being left unprotected. The young fibrous roots that form shortly aftei tn» planting are easily .broken by the swaying of the trees, while large holes are often formed in the soil at the bata of the stem, and if left in" this condition quickly, surfers from the effects of dry weather* For this reason the soil should be frequently stirred around all newly-planted? trees.

« , ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. W.A.W., Wa-ikumete.The writer has no* heard of benzine being used as a spray. Its combustible nature would Tender it dangerous to prepare- Kerosene is. a. well-know*, emulsion.- .prepared by dissolving one quart of softooap in two quarts of boning water~ Remove-' from the fire, and, while boning hob add one pint of kerosene; thoroughly churn, or emulsify the mixture, and in a short tone a perfect emulsion will bS produced- Dilute with ten times its volume of water. Paraffin, oil or petroleum is the same as kerosene. Ordinary hard soap may be substituted for the soft soap, about 2cz. to the pint or kerosene. ■' O-ailotta." Mauku.— Strawberry plants that -were planted in the autumn may be allowed to flower and set their fruits, but? those only recently planted would be better to have the blossoms picked off until th» - plants become established and make growth. Strawberries respond to liberal treatment, and, as you suggest, weld be greatly benefited by a weekly application of manure? water. A dressing of sulphati, of ammonia at the present time, followed in about 10 days' time with an application of blood and 1 bone, and again a week later with a. ! little Peruvian guano in dry form, lightly i sprinkled around the plants or given in the* I liquid form as manure water, will force th* i plants into good vigorous growth and enable. - them to crop freely. Mulch op either side* 'of the rows with straw or rushes to keep the fruit clean and pinch off all runners that start from the plants until after the fruiting! season- Occasionally spray the plants until the fruits begin to colour, using Bordeaux mixture, the 4-l-iO formula. J.J.if., Kawhia-— trees best adapted provide shelter against the westerly winds,, your residence being on a. low hill about! two miles from the sea_ and exposed to th«» prevailing westerlies: Pin us insignis, cupresbus. macrocarpa, with some Quercus ilex (or evergreen oaks), and also soma suitable kind* of eucalyptus, E. obliqus. for pref< .-ence, as> it forms a compact, leafy head, and withstands the westerly winds, are 'he best* Some* Ligustrum sinensis could also ha utilised. Albizzia iophautba m;g!i» o« planted as an inner line where the other trees break the full force of the winds- A mixed plantation, composed oi the abov» would form an adequate shelter belt and be» ornamental, arid in time useful for timber* Subdivision hedge plants sheltered by thai outer bolt should consist of lawsoniana, African boxtnora, Vfttosporumi crassifolium. Escallonia ]jigrs..nii, *ndw nearest the house. Tecoma capeasis. would! be most ornamental and would thrive, as frosts are only light. Abelia fionbnnda an! a low hedee near the garden would be most! ornamental. Acmena floribunda might bat planted among the trees in the outer stseliaj belt, as variety is always plaaejsg.