The Garden.

Otago Witness, Issue 1243, 25 September 1875, Page 18

The Garden.

MIGNONETTE. Few things contribute more to the pleasure of a garden than simple materials properly wrought out. One person purchases everything in the way of new plant* and seeds, and is constantly boring you with the question, how to grow this, that, or the other plant ; and, speaking of plants as they ought to be grown, has rarely any thing Jit to show one. Another, with the most simple materials and good management, has always somethiug to excite your interest and pleasure, while the tu-dt has nothing attractive, done well, and of a satisfying character. As an example of this, we have at the present, time, among a select collection of interesting plants, a few specimens of mignonette, growing of course in pots, some of them being dense bushes nearly three feet high and eighteen inches in diameter, all iv the most perfect health, with spikes of blooai not less than six inches in length. We need scarcely say that such plants with the majority of observers excite far more interest than plants of much greater intrinsic value ; in fact, they are regarded as wonders, and people cannot think how such common things can be grown of such unusual dimensions, Now, we will tell them that the mignonette is a grosp-foeding plant, and will grow upon a, dunghill in tho moat pel-feet nianmr ; but to get it dense, oompact, and at the same time of large size and profusely covered with bloom, it is necessity to prevent tho plants blooming until such time as eachh»3 laid the foundation and assumed the prop rtions necessary to a perfect result. — Land and Water. j

Pruning.— Gooseberry and currant bushes may have all their lateral or side shoots cut short— that is, down to half an inch, leaving the end short on. All branches that grow inward should be cut clean oft. Black currants may require weakly branches pruned off. Wall trees must have all shoots that grow straight out. from the wall cut off, all weakly branches removed, and, the best laid in ft l ld »» Uod tQ th <* wall." -. Orchard treee gliouia il&Vfl alj tfje ffsfifc WOW J fi u£ off tJ W

head ; the cross branches and those growing inward removed. Raspberry canes only require shortening.

Grafting. — The only conditions necessary to graftings are— lst. The stock must be of a similar family to the graft ; 2nd. The portion of wood to be grafted, and the stock it is to be grafted on, must be cut so as to fit very neatly ; 3rd. The barks of the stock and the graft must meet on one side at least ; 4th. They must be firmly tied and the air exclurive by adhesive clay or grafting* wax ; sth. The operation must be performed at the proper season, viz., before the stock starts into growth, and when the graft is dormant.

Budding.— The process of budding is very simple. There is a bud at the base of every leaf. Shave out the end with a portion of its bark, say three-quarters of an inch long, half below half above the leaf, cut a slit about an inch long down the portion of the stock that is to receive it, and half-way down make a cross slit, raise the bark on both aides, and slide tho bud in under the bark, which must be tied down upon it. Fruit Tubes.— Plant as soon as possible after the fall of the leaf, but they may be planted safely until the bud begins to swell. Never plant them deeper than they have been growing, prune as soon as you please after April. The Perfection of Beets. — This beet, for salad or flower garden decoration, is a great acquisition. The root is of medium size, rich co'onr, and fine flavour. The foliage is shining black, of dwarf, even, and regular habit, and unlike other beets, the leaves show their dark, colour from the seed-leaf ; therefore, any one using this beet for the flower garden, can create a handsome effect, superior in many ways to Perilla, Colem, or Iresine.

Dewar's Improved Short-Top Beet. — A. dwarf, compact; growing beet, with: dark purple leaves, exceedingly ornamental for edgings and flower garden decoration. The root also is useful for culinary purposes, beeing deep red, tender, and of good flavour. ' ' _ Champion Runners (Carter's). — ' A gigantic variety of scarlet runners, having pods nearly double the size of the old' variety ; it is more robust in growth, and' au extraordinary cropper, The result of numerous trials in England, by gardeners., and amateurs, has proved its claim to be considered a great advance on all other runner beans.

Turner's Incomparable Dwarf White Celery. — One of the best white celeries." The heart is remarkably full, the leafstalk solid, and is easily blauched. It comes into use very early, and stands tho wet and changeable winters of New Zealand much better than any other variety. Carter's Champion Brocom. —M. Saul, in the Florist and Pomologist, says-— "Having proved the value of this brocoli, 1 have again brought it before tho notice of your readers, that those who have not yet given it a trial may be' induced to do so, feeling confident that those who do will find it one of the 'best, if not the beat, late brocoli in cultivatidn,and a most useful auxiliary where a large supply of vegetables is required/ Carter's Dwarf Mammoth €&vih* flower.— This is decidedly iflW beat? cauliflower for summer, being of divarff habit, and having immense headsy. solid, and white.