THE HOME GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20958, 22 August 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

THE HOME GARDEN.

PROGRAMME OF WORK.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. /

Take advantage of every Qpportunity to further the planting and to place the flower beds and borders in a state ol cleanliness from weeds and other litter. Lightly stirring the surface soil among the plants checks seedling weeds, acts as a mulch, aerates the soil, and is a great benefit to s the bulbs, seedlings and other plants. Pot or box rooted cuttings of chrysanthemums or .cut - off suckers from the old plants with a lew roots attached. Place them in rows closely together to provide healthy young plants for planting out in October. Dahlias that are placed under glass to start and furnish early cuttings should receive an occasional syringing. Those for November planting should be started at the ond of next month. Rose planting may be continued if necessary until the middle of next month. Regulate the growth of the old s 'climbers and spray the branches that are affected with any white scale. Herbaceous plants, including Michaelmas daisies, golden glows, Shasta daisies, perennial phlox, gerberas, etc., may be planted into their permanent places in the mixed border.

The planting of evergreen climbers that are usually grown in pots, should be deferred until the soil becomes warmer and drier, and slugs are less troublesome. Flowering gums, pepper trees, the different varieties of flowering acacias, jacarandas, and other shrubs that are usually grown in pots may be planted now. Seedlings of sweet peas, stocks, lobelias, penstemons, coreopsis grandihora, Marguerite carnations, pansies, violas, Iceland poppies, verbenas, mimulus, .cornflowers and other hardy subjects may be planted at once.

Sow under glass phlox Drummondii, scarlet salvias, French and African marigolds, patunias, miniature sunflowers, stc., to provide stock lor seasonable plantings.

RAISING TENDER PLANTS.

MAKING OF A HOT-BED. For raising many varieties of. tender plants for early use,' where' one has not the convenience of a greenhouse, a wellprepared hot-bed made of stable manure, ' fallen leaves, and other fermenting material, and covered with a frame, is a useful means of providing a moist, genial heat for raising such plants as cucumbers, marrows, melons. Cape gooseberries, tomatoes, egg plants, kumaras and other tender subjects required for early planting. A well-made hot-bed, too, is equally useful for the raising of seedlings and -striking of cuttings of flowering plants for beautifying the outdoor beds and borders. ■

In preparing the bed fresh stable manure should be procured and well mixed with a quantity of leaves. This should be turned over every other day for about a week, watering any portions that appear too dry. The bed should be built up according to the size and , 6hape-of the frame to be used, allowing a width of at least 18in. all around the outside of the frame. Well tread the material to secure a uniform heat throughout, and raise the height of the bed to 3ft. or 3|ft. above the surface upon /' which it is placed.

RELEASE OF RANK STEAM. i After placing the frame upon it the glass light should be kept tilted for a lew days to allow the rank steam to pass off before the vessels containing the seed are placed in the frame. Stable manure by itself much too violently, and docs not last long, hence the desirability /of incorporating a good proportion of leaves with the manure. "With the addition of the leaves the heating' properties are slower, but are more Jasting and better for raising or propagating plants. A layer of sawuust, tine ashes or other suitable material should be placed over the surface of the bed on which the pots or boxes can.be partly plunged. In addition to the varieties of seeds . mentioned a well-prepared hot-bed will be found invaluable lor striking cuttings of many varieties of sott-woocied plants as well as for raising seeds that need a little bottom heat to ensure germination, 1 "With the moist, gonial atmosphere tiiat ar.ses from the heated material many soit-wooded cuttings strike very /jeauny, so (hat care must be taken after ' tj,c cuLiings are sufiicientiy rooted to pot or box tlie'm off. Gradually harden by placing them in a cool. trarrie, una finally in me open in readiness for out in the'beds or borders.

i . MAGNOLIAS. V AN EXTENSIVE FAMILY. . . 3 ; / Magnolias are among the most beautiful of JiaiUy evergreen and deciduous flowering trees and shrubs. The genus comprises about 20 spefcies. They are natives of North America, Japan, China, and the Himalayas. The evergreen varieties, fuscata, produces small purple flowers with a very fragrant fruity perfume and make a close-growing shrub, with small shiny leaves.

Magnolia grandiflora (large-flowered), a ,well-known species from North America, attains tree size,' flowers throughout the ./ summer, and forms a stately branching tree. The flowers are highly fragrant. Magnolia acuminata, the cucumber tree, another North American species, is a deciduous tree of upright growth and attains a height of 60ft. Magnolia C&nipbeilii, a handsome deciduous tree from Sikkim, produces enormous flowers and is very beautiful. Magnolia glauca is a desirable evergreen species, with very fragrant white flowers. The varieties conspicua, obovata, purpurea, and Soulangeana produce tlieir "tulip-like blossoms in early spring before the leaves appear. Magnolia stellala .is one of the best of winter flowering hardy shrubs. The flowers are white suffused with pink, semidouble and very fragrant. They appear early in the winter before any other variety and continue flowering for a long time. At present bushes may be seen laden with a profusion of beautiful stursnaped white and pink blossoms. They are most useful for cutting, being well adapted for all kinds of floral work, especially for floating bowls. It is of easy culture and is most tiseful for small, as weil as la/gc gardens. ' Stella ta rosea is a new variety, with i deeper pink flowers, and a valuable addi- / tion to hardy/magnolias. ' Magnolias thrive in any ordinary garden i , soils. Arranged in the mixed shrubs and shrubbery, and as single specimens, they give distinction to any garden.

SALPIGLOSSIS.

Salpiglossjs are highly ornamental, annuals witfi large-veined funnel-shaped flowers. They are very showy, either in the open ground or grown in fairly largesized'pots They make magnificent specimens. The seedlings now in four-inch pots should be potted on and kept near ; the glass in x a cool greenhouse or glass fiame. Seedlings should be bedded out in October in a sheltered border or IK'il f h' The y are a beautiful sight when in ; •—■lull flower. The colours include scarlet ; yellow, rose arid pale blue. , The throats are funnel4haped and veined.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Deeply dig, manure and prepare all ground in readiness for sowing successional crops when favourable weather prevails. To grow any varieties of vegetables well and quickly the roots must be supplied with sufficient food in the shape of manure to ensure healthy'growth. Keeping a loose surface by frequent hoeing or light digging is an important factor in the cultivation of vegetables and other crops. The planting out of another row or two of cabbages can still be made, while the earthing up of the more advanced plants should have attention. Continue the planting out of potatoes in well-prepared ground; reasonably shallow planting should still bo observed. To keep up a succession of peas, sowings from this time onward should be made about every third or fourth week. Prom this time onward autumn-sown onions may be transplanted in well-prepared soil. Arrange the plants about 6in. apart in the rows and allow about 15in. between the rows. Avoid deep planting—only deep enough to cover the roots and Arm the soil around them. A close watch must be kept upon seedling crops, as they ' show above the soil, the free use of lime or other preventive measure being applied. To protect peas or other crops subject to the attack of small birds, black cotton, stretched to and fro over the fow is an effective means of protecting the crops. To raise cucumbers, marrows, pumpkins and other tender subjects for early planting, sow in pots and place in warm greenhouse or frame. A well-filled vegetable garden is of educational value, as it imparts useful lessons in plant growth and requirements.

TRANSPLANTING.

RULES TO BE FOLLOWED. Under ordinary conditions transplanting operations, whether of fruit, shelter or ornamental trees, should by this time be well advanced. Up to the present, however, this work has been so delayed by thfi .frequent and heavy rains that even where the soil has been previously prepared planting could not be satisfactorily performed while the soil was in such a sodden condition. Such a succession of heavy rains has certainly shown any defects in the drainage system, so that provision may be made to remedy such defects. ■ l :'■

Free drainage is ip every case essential to ensure success, as trees cannot tlnive if stagnant water is allowed to accumulate at the roots. From this time onward every advantage should be taken when the soil is in a workable condition to hasten forward, with this work. The earlier all hardy fruit trees can be planted after being ready for lifting the better chance they have to succeed, as they almost at once commence to make new roots and are in consequence in a better condition to withstand any dry spell that may occur in early spring. RULES FOR PLANTING. In planting, the main thing is to encourage the trees to become established as quickly as possible and to assist in this direction the best soil obtainable should in every case be placed around the roots. Any manure applied should be well incorporated with the soil, and should not' be placed in immediate contact with the roots, as it is only after new roots are made that the trees can absorb the manurial properties applied. Before planting cut back any roots that have been damaged by the spade in lifting, and any strong deep tap root. The trees should be placed in the ground about the same depth as they have, previously been grown, spreading the roots out evenly and covering them with good fine soil. At the time, or soon after planting, the tree should be pruned. First remove all superfluous shoots, leaving only such leading branches as are required to form a shapely tree. These should be cut back about two-thirds of their length. Any evergreen varieties should be at once securely staked after planting to prevent them being swayed about by the winds.

ATTENTION TO SPRAYING. Special attention must be given to all trees that are in a fruiting condition. Up to the present spraying has been of little avail, so that every advantage should be taken of favourable conditions to give the trees a thorough dressing of Bordeaux mixture or other effective fungicides. Peaches and nectarines and most of the Japanese plums are rapidly swelling their buds, while some varieties of peaches will soon be showing flowers. It is at (his time when the buds are about to burst-that spraying is most effective, as the spores of disease are in most instances protected by the scales covering the buds, and can be more effectively dealt with when the scales begin to expand. These and other stone fruits should be the first to receive attention, and as any previous spraying has been in a great measure annulled by heavy rains, extra care should be taken in its application, so that every portion of the tree is well moistened with the material applied.

PANSIES AND VIOLAS. EVERYBODY'S FAVOURITES. Pansies and violas ate everybody's favourites. They arc extremely hardy, most floriferous, and of the easiest, cultivation. To produce the best pansies, none but the largest and best flowering strains should be selected. The rich colours, the delightful variations, and markings, combined with good shape, are' most pleasing. Seedlings from selected strains are always the most healthy ami vigorous, and in our climate, where the summers are usually hot and dry, they are in every respect superior to any that may be raised from cuttings, which is the old method of perpetuating the named sorts, and still practised to a large extent in Britain. The soil for pansies should be welldrained. Moderately moist, loamy soil, well enriched with cow-dung, is ideal. As a surface mulch in the summer a compost of cow-dung, mixed with a little coarse sand, keeps the surface soil cool. Arranged in separate, round beds, pansies make an attractive display. They should be from 9in. to 12in. apart. Violas have come greatly into prominence of late. They are splendid plants for borders. The flowers are produced in great abundance and continue in long succession. The improved_ largeflowered varieties, in many different shades of colours, may best be described as bedding pansies. They are mostly self-colours. The small-flowered varieties of Viola cornnta, with their dainty starry flowers, are produced in the greatest abundance. They av© best adapted for £.is : ngs ;and for rocli garden. These are t<ie oiu-fashionud violas.

AZALEAS.

POPULAR FLOWERING SHRUB. Azaleas are exceedingly handsome, dwarf-growing spring-flowered shrubs either for pot culture or planting in the open ground. They are of easy culture, but io attain the best results a little extra care is necessary in their arrangement and after treatment. The stronggrowing kinds succeed in any ordinary garden soils however. The presence of lime and strong manures is most injurious, consequently they are not- adapted for the mixed border where heavy manuring and deep cultivation is practised, as they resent interference with their matted fibrous roots.

If azaleas are planted in the mixed border, do not dig close to the roots or apply manure. They succeed well on grassy banks or in the grass on the sides of the walks or drive with a circle around each plant kept free from grass or weeds. In summer they require occasional soakings with water and a syringing overhead with clean water. This will keep thrips and red spider in check. This class of plants is most subject to these insects during dry, hot weather.. AZALEA INDICA. The evergreen varieties of azaleas belonging to the indica (Indian) section or Chinese are of the greatest value, and are the most extensively grown locally. They thrive well and produce the greatest profusion of flowers in all colours throughout the spring. There are a great number of named seedling varieties both double and single-flowered. They are propagated chiefly by layering, rooting freely under this system. Grafting is practised in a few instances. New varieties are raised from seeds.

The single-flowered varieties are easiest to grow and best adopted for outside culture. They should be planted in deeply-worked soil If heavy, coarse sand and some leaf mould or peafc is added, they grow to perfection in the light pumica soils. The double-flowered varieties are exceedingly beautiful, and several of the stronger growers thrive well in the open grounds in suitable light or specially prepared soils, and arranged in separate beds. They are greatly prized for pot culture.

Specimen plants in full flower make a magnificent display provided they are well grown in a compost of half peat, the other half being fibrous loam and leaf soil and sand in equal quantities. The pots should be placed in a cool house or frame with a free circulation of air and a good light. The soil must, never be allowed to become too dry—when coming into flower they may be placed in warmer quarters—occasionally syringe them overhead and keep the foliage free from thrips and red spider.

DECIDUOUS AZALEAS. Ghent or American azaleas as well as the varieties belonging to the Japanese and Chinese' sections are deciduous, and very hardy and most popular, and adapted for growing in the open ground in the colder districts. They succeed best in a deep, loamy, moist soil with some peat and sand added, or leaf mould and Rand, A large number of seedlings and hybrid varieties from the Mollis or Japanese section are in cultivation. The colours of the flowers are extremely showy and .ittractive, ranging from rosy salmon through various shades of yellow, pink and red, also orange and scarlet. The flowers precede the leaves. These hardy, deciduous azaleas grow into shrubs, and are best adapted for planting in the mixed border and skirting the mixed shrubbery. They are propagated by layering, by divisions, and by grafting upon the pontica stock. Like other members of the order, avoid any disturbance at the roots and lime in the soil. A cool, partially-shaded locality suits them best

VERBENAS. LONG FLOWERING PERIOD. Verbenas are exceedingly attractive and most popular plants for summer bedding. They should be arranged in separate round beds, allowing about 12in. between each plant to give them room to spread out without crowding. Planted now, they will flower throughout the whole of the summer and autumn. After the first flowering, the plants, if cut back, will continue flowering until the early winter. As with other present-day flowering plants, select only the best strains' and largest individual flowers and trusses of blooms.

Although perennials, verbenas are best treated as of annual duration, renewing them with seedlings every year. The auricula-flowered types, with large white eyes, are the showiest. The brilliant scarlets, with white eyes, are the most effective. The giant royalsblue, bright salmon rose, mauve and purple, with prominent white eyes, are exceedingly beautiful. The large-flowered self colours and the small scarlet and other bedding varieties .are most attractive. Verbenas are the easiest of plants to grow.

VEGETABLE CROPS.

ATTENTION TO THE SOIL. From this time onward, hoeing, light digging and keeping the soil frequently stirred will play an important part in the successful cultivation of vegetables and other crops. This is not only necessery to keep the growth of weeds in cheek, but to allow the air to penetrate and assist root growth. For some time past, owing to the prolonged cold, wet season, little could be done in working the soil, and growth in consequence is naturally backward, so that from this time onward good cultivation will be essential to obtain Ihe most satisfactory results.

Ground that lias been manured and dug for later sowing and planting should be again well forked over, leaving the soil loose and open so that the air can freely penetrate. As soon as more favourable conditions prevail sowing and planting should be proceeded with. With the exception of dwarf runner beans and other tender crops almost all of the more hardy varieties can be sown and planted during this and next month —in fact, the sooner the better, providing the soil is in a good workable condition. Give timely attention to earthing up early potatoes as they advance in growth. Keeping this crop well earthed up, not only assists to steady the plants during harsh weather, but provides a more ready drainage from surplus moisture and gives greater warmth to the roots. ASPx\RAGUS BEDS. METHOD OF CULTURE. New asparagus beds should be again forked over and be placed in the best possible condition for planting as soon as weather permits. Directions have previously been given as to the best method of preparing the soil so that satisfactory results can be obtained over a number oi years, providing the beds are given reasonable annual treatment. Asparagus may be grown for a shorter period- under a more simple method of treating and preparing the soil for planting- bv manuring anu digging the ground to a tlepili of lain, to loin. Under this treatnie.iL, liuwevtr, new beds or plantations lequiie to be laid doWn every two or three years, tor alter two, oi at most, three years of hard cutting, unless growing in exceptionally deep, noli, free soil ancl receiving very liberal treatment, the plants degeuerate and only weak shoots are produced. It. is in every way better, where permanent beds are required, to prepare the soil in a thorough manner by deep trenching and manuring as the strength of shoots can only be obtained in proportion as the roots are kept supplied with the necessary food. Up to the present the difficulty has been to keep established beds free from weeds, the fact of the soil being fairly rich in manure makes weeds grow rapidly, which soon extract much of the food properties from the soil. The beds should be cleared of all weeds, and be given a sprinkling of nitrate of soda, evenly distributed over the whole bed. If stable or other manures are applied as a mulch it is better deferred until there is less moisture and more ■warmth in the soil. RHUBARB PLOTS, Established rhubarb plots should be deeply forked over, administering at the same time a good dressing of manure If stable or other decomposed animal manures is not obtainable superphosphate or sulphate of iron can bo applied with advantage. Special care should be taken not to injure the crown when digging. In preparing the ground lor new plots the better the ground is prepared the finer and more lasting will be the ciop produced. In every case deep t^ ndll "8 and well manuring will produce the best results. In selecting the plants choose strong, one-year-old, preference being given to * those having a strong single crown, and in planting keep the ciown level with the surface.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. r- ,mm - G.U.. Tuakau. —The weed is Eammculus repens, the creeping butter-cup. It is also called creeping crowsfoot. M.L.. Awakeri.—The writer is unable to assign any reason for red daplme, highly scented for the first two years, afterwards losing its perfume to some extent. " A.W., Taumarunui. —To protect Burbunk plum from shothole fungus, spray with Jirne sulphur at once, and when the flower buds are showing colour epray with Bordeaux mixture, the 4-4-40 formula, giving another dressing w.hea the tree is in full leaf.

G. 8.. Katikati. —The email leaves had all fallen of! the twig of conifer sent for identification, but, judging from appearance, it belongs to Abies pinsapo. a very magnificent species. It is very regular and symmetrical in its habit of growth. It is a native of South Spain.

•'Native Plants," Hokianga.—The specimens are:—l. Libocedrus doniana (kawnka), an exceedingly ornamental conifer. 2. Phebalium nudum (mairere). The leaves of this small-growing tree are highly aromatic. 3. Elatestema rugosum (paralaniwha), of very distinct bronze foliage. It grows in wet, shady placeß. 4. Solanum aviculare, a shrub, bearing purple berries.

'' Novice," Epsom.—Arum Jidliottiana, the beautuut golden calla lily, is either suitable lor growing in a pot or in the open ground, lu tuner caso plant the tubers witiiin tne n(sxt three weeks. Insert tue tubora m ttie open ground 4in. below tho surface. Alter planting the gladioli corms, they take from 'jO to 100 days to Hower. Plant accordingly. Insert the corms 4in. beneath tiie surluce. A little bonedußt, well mixed witli tho soil, ia a suitable manure.

" Slater's," Awakino.—Powdered moth balls will driv* away wooaaco irom your strawberry plants. Scatter them over the plants, or you may poison them by cutting u, parsnip into squares, boiling in water, and placing a little arsenic in it. Boil until the parsnip is soft, but not enough to break into pieces. Place where the woodhce congregate. They will eat it greedily and die. iieing a virulent poison, bo careiul m its preparation and application. C.M., Milford.—To destroy moss on lawn, apply a liberal dressing of sulphate of ammonia evenly distributed over the surface. Mixing some dry sand or fine earth with the sulphato will facilitate its even distribution. The sulphate will also kill any daisies and some other weeds. It may aifget the grass, but it will come again vigorously, the dressin& being a valuable fertiliser. Previously, instead of shell lime and agricultural lime, you should apply newly-slaked stone lime. " Coromandel." —To overcome the abundant crop of weeds that usually come up after using eheep manure, trench it under. When sheep are pastured on Bhort weedfree pastures the droppings are fairly free from weed seeds. Fresh cowdung, partially dry, may b© used _as a top-dressing for asparagus, gooseberries, rhubarb and various shrubß with good results. 1? or lawns it would require to be m a dry state, powdered «P. Dug or trenched mit is ideal for cabbages and cauliflowers. loi peas and beans it should be dug in. I'or cucumbers and pumpkins dig good holes and well mix it with the sou.

" Curious," To Puke.—The fruit flowers and leaves of plant belong to the avocado* or alligator pear (Persea gratissima), a native o£ the West Indies. _ lhere aie several species of this fruit, including the tropical American variety, from which many seedling forms have resulted. Some are much harder than others, such as your tree, which adapts itself to our temperate climate. In California avocado pear culture has assumed great importance, so much so that avocado societies have been formed. The pulpy fruit is rich and mild and usually eaten as a salad. The persea belongs to the lauraceoua order of trees, an extensive genus. All, excepting one from the Canary Islands., are natives of tropical and subtropical Asia and America. Iyefos. ,