GARDEN NOTES

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12423, 17 April 1926, Page 19

GARDEN NOTES

SOME SEASONABLE HINTS WRITTEN FOR THE “TIMES” BY “RATA” IN THE VEGETABLE GARDEN What to Do ju*t Now. Weed the tovn of onion*. ' Keep the bean* well gathered* Give rhubarb attention. Jsig all vacant ground and lime it. IN THE FLOWER GARDEN Plant culling* of viola* and dianthus. Make any necessary alterations t 6 the ? arden, or paths. Sow Wallflowers, Canterbury N bells, Sweet Williams, and Gail- « lardias. Clip hedges, weed the lawn . preparatory to top-dressing it. RHUBARB , Rhubarb intended for use in the early spring should have some attention now A good dressing of old stable manure is essential, and the whole of the roots should be well covered with rich soil. “Topp’s Winter” is a small variety, but of good colour and flavour, and very prolific. The new American variety. Crimson Winter, is much larger, of good colour, and comes into bearing at a -time when fresh fruit is scarce. It is orfe of the best of'recent introductions. When rhubarb is propagated by division, care must be taken to retain a bud on the crown of each offset, together with a small portion of the root itself and some, fibrous roots attached. These offsets may be taken from tliree or four-year-old plants without causing any injury to them. The plants are often injured by the stalks _ being removed in a careless manner. /

CABBAGES Thin out the cabbage seedlings that ars to form the main crop for planting . It is most necessary to obtain stocky plants, which will he well established before the severe weather sets in. Plant them out in well-trenched soil, bearing in mind what was said recently in this column about the rotation; of crops. Early planting is of special importance on wet soils, for if transplanted too late, a considerable number of plants will perish in a wet winter. LEEKS AND CELERY Artificial manure should be applied to leeks and celery now, and they will bonefit by the application of three pounds of superphosphate and ljlb of kainit per thirty-foot row. ■lf very large leeks are desired, guano should be given ■ sparingly, alternated with nitrate of soda. Leeks and celery should only be manured in the early stages of growth. When nearly ready for household use, it should be withheld. ‘ IN THE FLOWER* GARDEN HELENIUM. Helenium Riverton Gem is a hardy perennial plant which should be grown in every garden where the necessary space is available. It is at present a mass of bloom, and the varying shades of bronze make it very valuable for cutting purposes. VIOLAS. ' A new viola, “Gold Eyes,” is' easily tho best raised during recent years, as it blooms continually all .the season, is of very compact habit, and the colour is a beautiful dark purnle, with bright golden eye. Another novelty is Apncot Queen, which, though not a true apricot, is a rather unusual shade, between buff and apricot, and has a purple centre. Both these novelties are excellent' for massing. In propagating violas J>y cuttings which can be done any time now, choose the most vigorous plants from which to take cuttings, insert them to the depth of two inches, and press the soil firmly around the stem. BERRIED SfHßufes.

Berried shrubs are unrivalled for house decoration; combined with autumn leaves, they present a most attractive and artistic appearance. 'Berbens are some of the most distinct. An the late autumn the leaves turn to a beautiful scarlet, and the plants are covered with berries, some red. others orange Berberis Hcfokerii ia quite distinct from the usual berberis. The leaves are a bright green, and the plants are a mass of black berries. Uotoaeaster frigata, and Augustifolia are wef-ome additions to the range of berried shrubs, being of very graceful habit. The latter is practically an evergreen, and covered with bright orange berries, which contrast well W!th its soft -greyish foliage. Other beautiful shrubs are the Roman tree, berried Laurcetiua, liquid amber, and Japanese maples, in numerous varieties. SOILS AND FERTILISERS (By A.. J. Mncself, Publishers, Thornton, Butterworth.) '• This publication, illustrated, in colour half-tone and line, is an addition to a series of Home garden books by the same author, and is one of the most comprehensive publications of recent issues, and will be gladly welby those amateur gardeners who are sometimes in a quandary’ to secure tho maximum results, with a minimum of labour. Chapters deal with every phase of mother earth, including sandy soil, gravelly soil, peaty loam, and old sour garden soil. Green manuring, cow, sheep, pig and poultry manure, also have their place in this .volume. Seaweed fish, and artificial fertilisers, have pflges devoted to their -many uses. Tho whole work is couched in simple language and terms, and easily understandable by the amateur gardener. Insects and other pests are dealt with, and finally there is a chapter on oddments of infopnntion, which is well worth while. Altogether, th’is book is a most valuable and instinctive edition.