NOTES FOR THE MONTH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1505, 18 September 1880, Page 7

NOTES FOR THE MONTH.

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

Frames stocked with plants ought now to have air freely, and bedding plants should be hardened off, preparatory to their being planted out. Stocks and asters ought to be pricked out in boxes. No garden can be complete without the fine scented flowers of the stock. The stock, like the rose, haa a power of attraction which, for colour and smell, cannot be surpassed in any other flamily of flowers. As Cera are another popular class of hardy annuals, but not like the stock for perfume. There are many types of asters, most of which are well worthy of cultivation, bat some pre-eminently so. A few years ago the quilled aster was the leading favourite, and, in fact, almost the only type in cultivation ; then the French florists selected a race of flat petalled asters, with broad, ribbon-like florets, which become fully incurved as the flowera are developed, and form nearly a ball. Thia ia known as Truffaut's pjeony-flowered perfectioa aster. The flowers are both large and full, and a bed of this is wall worth growing for the harvest of cut flowers it affords. Fine aa this aster ia, it haa yet been distanced by what has been known as the Victoria aater, This is one of dwarf growth, and produces large, symmetrical, and maasive flowers, the florets lying outwards instead of folding inwards, as in the case of Truffaut's. Such a marked favourite has this type become, that it has quite taken the place of the paeony-flowered for exhibition purposes. Another very nseful aster for deooiative purposes in the flower garden ia the orownflowered, or aa the French term it, Cooardeau. This is a two-coloured flower, the diao being white, with a broad margin of some bold and striking hue. The flowers, however, are not nearly so full aa those of the Victoria. Perhaps to serve the useful purpose of cutting from, no 1 aater is so good as that known by the name of Boelz's dwarf bouquet. The flowers are all flat-petalled, but one plant produces a good number, and a bed of this variety is of considerable service to those who require a large number of cut flowera. Another favourite flower ia the carnation, and may be held superior by many to either of the former j now ia the time for planting out. Early planting insures a succession of bloom, and invigorates the plant to establish itself before its blooming period.