THE HOME GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18297, 13 January 1923, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN.

The kumara which thrives so well in Northern-New Zealand gardens is net by any means so fully appreciated rss it should be. It has fifty per cent, more food value than the Ordinary potato, and besides being highly nutritious, is, in spite of ■contrary opinion, very easily digested. It can be used as a food in more ways thin the potato, is singularly free from disease, and yields heavy , crop 3 in comparatively light and; poor soil.

It is somewhat surprising that in Northern New Zealand more attention has not been paid to this valuable article of food. Great improvements can be made in its flavour, size, and shape, by judicious selection of seeds, cultivation and manuring. Those who object to the sweet taste of the ordinary kumara can by selection, evolve a type as dry and flowery almost as ordinary potatoes. Those who like the sweet taste can increase it by *he name means.

The kumara la more easily and more cheaply propagated than the ordinary potato. One 9 good tuber vsiU produce ten times more sets than the potato, thus effecting a large saving in seed, and' besides this, the kumara is much more easily planted, for the runners can simply be dibbled into well prepared ground with the least possible exertion.

The kranara Is considerably richer in fat, and contains a perceptibly greater percentage of available carbohydrates than does the ordinary potato, and, moreover, it is richer in valuable mineral salts which are composed largely of potassium compounds whi'-h are active in offsetting the acid effects brought about by meat-" eating, so that as a vegetable, _ it is naturally more wholesome taken with the family joint than the common potato. BUDDING ffBUTT TBEES. Preparations will soon have to be made for budding any trees that are required to be renewed by this means. " The time for budding extends over several months according to the varieties and condition of the stocks to be worked. Large trees that are carrying frail, though not the varieties required, and.that are marked out for rebudding, are usually the first to need attention as they cease to make ,j growth many weeks before smaller and more vigorous growing varieties. To bud any trees successfully the stocks must be in a growing condition so that the bark is easily raised for the ingestion of the bud. In dealing with budding .a 1 few ! hints as to the stocks most suited for | some of the varieities may be of interest to amateurs who are interested in this work. For apple 3, very little need, to be said about stocks as "the -Northern Spy | is, without doubt, far the best variety for this fruit. It has the advantage of being thoroughly blight-proof— ;.:■ Is, immunity from the woolly aphis. Experience has so far proved it preferable to other varieties that have been tested, for in addition to its non-blighting qualities, it is more fibrous rooted, and succeeds well in moist soils where planted, while most varieties that have been worked upon it are mora productive. Stocks and Budding. . For peaches and. nectarines, the seedlings raised from good, v hardy, strong growing peaches lire the best for working these upon. Apricots may be : worked either upon the peach or apricot seed- . lings, while some growers : prefer the plum stocks, especially if for planting m soils of a stiff clay nature. For pears, seedling pear stocks are best adapted for most varieties of pears, although there are several varieties that. succeed well upon the quince, stock, I notably t Buerre .Diet, Magnate, Louise Bonne of Jersey, Ke Plus ; Meur'is, Duchess d'Angowleme, and a few others, as a general rule the pear stock should be used. ':■: For plums, both the peach and plum stock can be used with the ; greatest •■ success. Experience has proved beyond' question that certain varieties of plums do much better on one stock than another, ■ and that the peach is the best stock for [ those that succeed upon it. .: Such varie-f ties as Pond's seedling, Diamond, Russian Damson, Reirie Clande di» Bavey, Grand Duke, Monarch,' Takapnha Drop, Prince Englebert, and most of : the Jap. anese varieties grow well ; and' fruit abundantly upon the peach stock. The, majority of the other European plums succeed best upon the plum ■ stock. For these the prunus myrobolan, or what is term etf cherry plum, is the best and; succeeds well in most soils;

TEE FLOWER GAEDEN. . Chrysanthemums require unremitting attention from now until the flowering time to keep the plants healthy and vigorous, and in attending to the necessary details the exhibition grower has to provide for. The secret of success is chiefly ip preserving the foliage free from fungi and the attack o5 caterpillars. The rust is a deadly enemy, consequently preventatives must be adopted by syringing the plants with the best known remedies' before the rust makes its appearance—sulphide .potassium, using half an ounce to the gallon of water and applied with, a nozzle attached to the spray pump that will wet the under as well as the upper sides of the leaves with a mist-like spray. ; Bordeaux mixture, j the 4-4-40 formula, ; with the smallest quantity of formalin, the writer has found the best preventstivVbf the different species of fungi, provided it is applied on the first suspicion of fungoid germs appearing. By adding a'-".Utile arsenate of lead a combined spray may be made to treat caterpillars as well as fungi. Chrysanthemums are isneb charming flow, ers so useful for cutting and general floral * work and so distinct in appearance and of such lasting properties, that they well deservei the appellation Queen of the Antnirin. The worshippers and devotees o? the chrysanthmum are legion. The Japanese sec tion usurps the place of honour, in its on-, ward glorious march which is absolute.

Cultivation of Chrysanthemums. Remove all superfluous growths and tie the plants up as .-they advance In growth. Manv that have not been \topped hyrhav-- : ing the tops pinched off. have already ar■rived at the first break ; stage, : Swhicb iis caused by the formation of a blind had at the apex of the yoon? growing stern which checks the upward flow of. sap and,causes fresh Bhoote to start from the axils cilf the leaves immediately below the above-named . bad. Select three of" the branches thus produced rto grow on and carry the flowers removing the others. - ; These shoots must be tied to their supports as they advance in growth. The prevalence of moist humid weather is conducive to the growth of fungus, consequently attend to above in--Btructions re spraying. When dry weather sets in a mulch of well rotted manure along the rows will be beneficial; The application of fertilisersand liquid manures ; should be deferred until early in February. | :v/ Carnations and .'■ Plcotees. . : ;, >: -, ■ ' As suggested in last* week's notes, proceed : with the layering for the production of young healthy plants to replace any' th"at have become Old and exhausted According to instructions already given. # The soil being j moist is in excellent condition for the layering, and by , the addition of some fresh compost composed of J well-rot-ted turfy . loam, with; some sharp .sand added, and placed around the old. plants,; will provide suitable materials :< Cover the, layers which will soon commence to root, and be ready by the end of next month: for taking off and potting or transplanting into specially arranged and prepared beds. ; Pipings or cuttings of the perpetual; How-1 erinß varieties ; may be taken off and prepared a© instructed in last week's notes, j and inserted in pots or shallow boxes, or in the open ; grotand where they will soon i strike root and form nice healthy young plants for potting or bedding out ~ "* DalUla Growing. ■ . ■'; Complete the planting of ail varjiflities of dahlias. Attend to the tying up and regulating the growths of those-that; were pleated early m November, and any thai »*■'■;■ ■-."■ ',•'■.''■•• ' '■' '.';■' -'■'■■ y,.i:"".-'- :■'■.-: ■•■■ -;: "-■ :-~ : '" : '., '■•:''''."i

were left in the ground and not taken up and are now flowering. They should be ; well mulched and watered during dry weather. At this season of the year when the days are long and dews are light, . dahlias that are in flower n«ed copious waterings. Thrips and red spider are liable to attack dahlias in their younger stages of growth, consequent]? a timely syringing with black leaf 40 or other effectitve insecticides should bo applied, as thrips are : most injurious, causing the plants to assume a stunted appearance, and interfering with their proper development. Plants in Flower. Cannas are amongst the leading attractions of the garden and grounds at the present time. The large flowered dwarf growing varieties with richly coloured foliage are most 'effective. . Kalosanthea Coccmea, a dwarf-growing succulent plant, is also a gorgeous mass of bright scarlet. Several varieties of crinnms' with their spikes of amaryllis-Hke blossoms are showyborder plants. Shrohby calceolarias still continue a wealth of vellow and various shades of brown and chocolate. Annuala and other seedlings are everywhere a profus'on of blossoms notably calliopsi3, phlox, African and French marigolds, gaillardias, petunias, portulaccas, and a whole host of . others. ;_,.; :(; .'.. ■ ■...'.. - ".- TEE VIffERY. There are few fruiting plants that require more regular and persistent attention throughout the whole growing and fruiting season than indoor vines. From the time the. vines are forced into growth until the fruit is matured, they are under artificial treatment, and the success attained depends almost entirely upon the attention paid to their requirements during that time. Dp to the present growth has been rapid and has entailed extra , labour in keeping lateral growth under control. If •in any case these have been allowed to accumulate during the holidays, the greatest care will be necessary at a stage when any loss of sap that naturally results through the" removal or . in their removal, as most varieties are pinching back a number of shoots at one time, may so check growth as, to cause shanking of some of. the : berries. In such cases the safest plan is fto go over .;-,''. the vines more frequently, removing a few from such until the work is again under control. Colouring Grapes. Most grapes are now at a stage of :; colouring when every care should be taken to assist in encouraging the colouring -of the fruits; It is at the colouring stage that the berries swell more slowly than . at any other time during their growth, and when special care is necessary in , ventilating the house. Plenty of ventilation b an important factor in producing ■ colour, and should be given not only during the day, but during the I night when the weather is favourable. Through- . out the whole growing season the frequent and heavy rams have., kept the borders well supplied with raoiisture without having; resort to watering. It is in aiich seasons that the importance of , providing the borders with ample, drainage is : most apparent, especially: if the ; soil is at all of a stiff, retentive nature, an few* plants suffer more ; iquiekdy : it : stagnant water ;1 is allowed .accumulate at the roots. Uncongenial conditions at \ - ' the roots;is probably the cause of more failures than any inside :; treatment, for ' no matter how carefully the Cop growth ;: may be attended to, good, 'well-grown fruit cannot be produced from vines whose roots are in an unhealthy etate. : . Fighting SEealy Bug. - ; Now is the time, when that ; dread 4 pes! ■: of the.grape. grower,' the mealy -bug, is - most troublesome, and unless "persistent ... ' measures are taken to keep them under; t they quickly infest the foliage and FruilV. - Fumigation with cyanide is -by : far th«i ■.':/. most effective means so far devised foif ■ keeping ft under control, and although thin entails a certain 'amount of labour and expense, besides care, in its applica-, tmn, as : it- ; ' is : a deadly ; gas, 'it' is car- 7 tainly effective when properly applied, ■ and has proved a boon to a ■ large numbOT of grape glrowers throughout' tha . country.;. The mealy bug; has become ;so/ widespread that it is almost useless to-;-try andl grow, cjlean-.; fault unless V the ; above «>r : some other \ equally effective i remedy applied. ■■ : Unfortunately, the means applied for the' destruction of the' ;■;-''. mealy bug is of little value in destroying ; the more minute, but injurious' pest, ■ red •'.;■■■■ spider. . The moist season* has certainly / not been for stu. spreading,, ;• as it thrives and increases mors rapidly . during: hot,: dry weather. Vines,' however, that have previously been attacked are almost certain <o be affected as the season advances. With growers 1 who are unacquainted with the 1 ; pest, ':the diificulty'; is 'to locate them, until the foliage v becomes so infected with the insect"- that the foliage; begins to change colour, the leaves by this time; are sapped of much' ■■;;.•:. of their vitality and often of rll prematurely. A'■■ careful scrutiny of jthe toll-- ' ■;.. age should be frequently made, ; and upon the least -suspicion of the:, insect:: being present, the foliage shekld 'bo. thoroughly dusted over both below, and ; above the leaf with fine ■ dust sulphur: , ; ASTSWSRS TO CQEBESPGSDEHTS. ;; ; H.M.. Maa^onui.—The insect that is eating V".' • the'; foliage-i 'your.: BUrbank plum itr«ie-iB : >■■'■''?. . tha' oinali- brown bettls that ;is so troublesome in; many, localities, eapecilaly where native ijcrub -. and '-bush.- exist.' "Sprayine ■■'■'■■.■>.■'.■: the trees with arsenate of lead, '■- lozr to .the ■■■'■■■■■- gallon of water, or one -': t&blespoonful, ie : v toe best ;' remedy,. ; Blood . and ■'■"• bone or, other :.;.■•.•..•: > fertiliser «>ntairiinß.nitiosren:wotild;be, this , ■• , beßt;top4rcsß3Pß' for paspalunr growing upon':.'.': ■: ]?:■ ■Will.: stony -'ground. .-. ' _/ ; . "•^-- J "■ExhalV'Ponsonby.—Tulip and 'f crocus . . - bulbs that yon have recently -received from Canada and are shooting should be planted ■ ; ati once;in.; »■ good loamy or volcanic soil- ;:'.'■ with some :• coarse brpwn sand mixed with V' it, 'but no stable manure should 'bs siven,- : excepting 'a little that is thoroughly decayed-'; / . A cool; -partiaHy-Bh'aded ■-, position" is the :• best. ' - Beins oat .of season, the main object is;;•'.-.':• to obtain bulbs for replanting again in the : : autt<mn. about, the end of April or early in May. Lilt-the bnlbs -alter the .. foliage :' ' : h«r matured : Imported bulbs 'taVe pome time before they become properly , '>hed,vr" ; as si, fresh f start: baa to.be . raade'wVffi the '/ small .bulbs: that form■•-ana' take -this"'"\plaaav.riv, of the original importations.'. : v =" !* Birch,". Pukfilcohe.—AUheugh your' hedge composed ■'■ • of ; Baken aalisna.?. badly.,,heeds' . -: cuttin?." - it: 19" not advisable ; to: do"- eo : at : ; ' vire-'eßt when, the plsnia are in fttll;srrowth.;;; 1 Defer the trimming until the errewth'is more , mtttcr*. :.'■;/'V* ."■ -... '" ; :';:' v : *' Anriouß,^ , :' ! -Waverley'.-TThe cause of •P'sle : ' i- • 1 tree'laden' with ..small fruits, as "per samples' t : 'received, falling off, is probably "the. result' ,of ,-tisine ; too ietronf:: a s*pniy of - arsenate ■*'..'■>. r lead Some varieties, audi -as- Gra&emte'a, have a tendency l<i keep :<ini)l?e.tlcliijg their , .fruit--lib to the tims ot rimtnintr. The stalks bains very short,' the- ; fr-.iits push•"■•' oS : ill 1 their. process of development.•■'■:'■''.;;- yi..■: , , BE. Sixtus..:'; : Aj>iti;- ; —diearia ,-nitidft.' ia ' 'plentiful in the mountainous regions of tfce 1 North Island, and also- throughout the Mid- - : dle Island, Senecio Elfßasmifolia,:": on Mount " , Egmontitthe Ruahine and other mountains ; also Mouni Cook -and the /Rangitaa in v the ; South. Craapediaß-grow in what are calleta shinple-slips •composed of loose ,'atones that ;.•.. ;i are burning; hot in the sunahine,-., and very •-;; cold durina the; nisbt. Betifath the surface ; the stones, are always moist. .. Lencoa?na». : leantorjoditim and L are the two'.- ■ New Zealand gpeeies of edelweiss They far n«rpasß their : Swigs namesake ■ in beauty. They are charitiins flowering plants, found chiefly in the hisrh mountains of the Wiest , ; of the South Wand -'■"'••/.'U.";-^ " Subscriber,"—Pneraria ■/. ' thunbergiana ikiidzn' vine) is' a . perennial climbinj; plant of v decorative-'i and economic value and. pro. : -v; lific in nutritious fodder. From the; leaves. . . • bark and stalk' down to-»h& roots, aoine. purpose* are -ssrved. Fine, ■ starch •- ie ; prepared : ' from the. nodules produced on the roots. . Lustrous herop-li'Ke-fibre from the bark is' '-.■ woven into • fabric known :«& irraiis-cfoth. r»ried roots ara usi»d 'by herb doctors in Chin* and Japan; This vine; should succeed ' wisH /here where ': climatic-, conditions ar« similar to parts of Japan Re cultivation $"■ Beine ■ ,climber it; ■ should have tome griw^ri :■■■■.■ . arid be, planted or ijowti in rows. It is T»ised '■ ; frwrn* aeeda which should.be sown about, the .": middle; of October.' To obtain eitda spply to seedampn. Kudsu belongs, 'to; the.-: !eg»-> minosie cider, ■.;.;■ ..",-..•'..i.."¥j,;'; ;■: ■ s O.P., *Whangßrei—-Gladso?i ' bulbs should -'-t :i be. lifted annually when' 1 the flowering ateai-- } has- partially; ripened ofi. If- allowed; lo.rs. -main is; the ground too lonj-after flower-' \ ~ J ing »th'e: 'of ; the. soil and : occasions] ■- tains are likely to cause .fresh roots and ' I restart them into growth, without a s«ii3«, Icieat roßi, ( '' >, ' f-\-. ~ ' • ■ ,jkf ■ - Kawa A i U, r - ='• ' i f v i 3 _ *• d •1 l ■ v - i l - -, >. -, " .V