HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2300, 31 March 1898, Page 8

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

By J. Gebbih.

SOME QUERIES. The following queries havo been sent to me by an Upper Waipori resident : Which of the brambles do \ ou prefer ? Name one of the best early strp,wberries. What do ycu think of Lixton's r-oble strawberry ami ot Ins Japanese plums, ?

Have you the club root in cabbages down your way, and what is jour opinion of it ?

We have several varieties of brambles growing here, and I find the Italian to be the best. Ifc is a very prolific fruiting variety.

The best; early strawberry grown in this di&trict is the marguerite. I grew a few of Laxton's noble last season. They bore a fair crop of fruit of large size, and were earlier than the marguerite. Mr H. Bennett, a Dunedin nurserym&B, has an acre or two of this strawberry, and he considers it one of the best early varieties grown. Japanese Plums: Burbank is considered the finest. It fruited with me thi3 season, and I can safely say that it is a decided addition to our fruits. Ogan, a golden yellow fruited variety, and Botankio, yellow, overspread with purplish red. are vigorous

growers and good bearers, doing well in this district. Club root in cabbages is nob often seen about here. I have, however, seen it very bad in some gardens around Dunedin. It is caused by a small white maggot which feeds upon the young woody part; of the 3tem until the period arrives for its passing into the other insect form. The ravages of this pest are most frequently observed in dry seasons, and it generally makes its appearancs on the roots of the plants .while in the seed bed. When such is the case the parts diseased should be cut off before planting. The wouod scon heal?, and growth i 3 little retarded. I have seen soot, lime, ashes, and a few other things applied to the roots at planting time, but the most effective remedy is catting off the affected parts and giving plenty of moisture. Insects that inhabit the earth just beneath the surface are always checked in their movements by its abounding in moisture. HEATHS. Looking through the nursery of Mr H. M. West, Danedin, a few days ago I was much struck with the beauty of two grand specimen heaths. These were large plants in lOiu pots, and were a solid mass oE bloom. One, named Erica webhleyana, produced its lovely -and delicate waxy pink flowers in Jong spikes I and ia the greatest profusion. The other I variety, Erica inackimaoniana, is of a purplish rose colour, and of the same form and growth as the first named. Smaller specimens of other varieties, such as Erica ruelanthura, 22. cruenta, intermedia, hymalis, and willraoreana. are sending up their flower fcpikes. f Plunged in pots in the open air avu 2500 I plants ready for sale, and in the propagating ! house Mr West has just fiuished putting in ! between 3000 and 4000 cuttings. Aa a propagator ci! heaths anci ether plants Mr West is noted throughout the colomep. CATALOGUKS RECEIVED. Rowden am; MoncriefE's catalogue of bulbs, ldtaiy issued, contains as usual a large variety !of spring-flowering and othei* favour) ces. Narcissi are well represented, and justly su, as they are the moat popular flowering bulbs cultivated of late years. Liliums, hyacinths, irises, caanas, and other good things are i described and offered at reasonable prices. 1 Tins firm's exhibit of spring flowers at the Horticn'.rura' Society's shows has always been , »ne ot ths! features of the show. ; Nimmo and Blair's catalogue also contains j a large and well-assorted collection of bulb 3, , tubers, and other plants for the adornment I of the flower garden during the spring and ■ summer months. Freeziae, ixiat?, nyacintbs, narcissus, tulips, and gladioli are offered in great variety. I saw their collection of seedi ling gladioli in bloom, and was struck j with the great variety of colours. There were some thousands of bulba io the beds allotted to them, and they made a magnificent} display, and for the adornment of the flower borders duricg summer and j autumn these unnamed seedlings will be found very useiui. For" exhibition purposes named varieties muo& be secured. Some new cpirseis are also catalogued. These are a fine class of plant?, which delight in a moist situation acd are quite hardy. They also make beautiful pot plants. Public Gardens, Oimarn.