HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2801, 20 November 1907, Page 10

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

By J. Gebdie.

The summer Bhow of the Dunedin Horticultural Society is to be held on December 18. The schedule of prizes i 6 a liberal one. Roses will be the special feature, and an addition liberal prizes are- offered for flowering and fine foliaged plants, also for pansies, sweet peas, and other early summer flowers, so that, given fine weather, a good display may be anticipated. Tho North Otago Horticultural Society holds its summer show on December 5, and the prize schedule is on a more liberal scale than its predecessors. In the open section for six roses the winner is to hold a. solid silver cup, valued at 12 guineas, given by the ladies; added prices are 425, 10b, ana

ss. Other 40 sections in cut' fiowere are provided for, and liberal prizes are offered for the various sections of pot plants. For the autumn show, to be held on March 5, three cups are offered — the Oamaru Mail trophy, value 20 guineas, presented by the Hon. Geo. Jones for the highest aggregate points at the summer and autumn «hows; cottage garden cup, value five guineas, presented by Dr A. Douglas for competition in cottage gardens; and a solid silver bowl, value 10 guineas, presented by admirers of sweet peas for competition in section 15 (12 sweet peas), which should have the effect of bringing out a number of new competitors and give the society a move forward.

A SHOWY CACTUS. In the order Cactaceous are many ohowy and easily-cultivated plants, and as they do not. occupy much room they are suitable for large or small houses alike, or may be used as window plants. In the window of the room in which I am writing these notes is a plant of Phyllocactus Ackermani, in a 7in pot, with several expanded flower* Bin across and other 75 buds to open. The colour is scarle;. and when there are six or eight of these large flowers open at one time the plant has a very attractive appearance. It continues in. bloom durinsf November and on to January. Another variety, called P. crenata, has creamy white flowers, and these will be open in a few days and afford a striking contrast to the crimson variety. They are both good, free-flowerine; kinds. These plants aTe indigenous to Mexico and Brazil, and from the speoies originally introduced several hybrids have been raised. Young plants procured in spring should be encouraged to make growth as early in the season as possible. They must not be over-potted, for the roots ar« always liable to rot if in too large a body of soil. As they enjoy an unlimited amount of sun, they should have all the light uossible, with plenty of air, but no shade. By the end of December set them in the open where they will get the full sun. and give them water as required. During March they may be taken into the greenhouse or room giving them all the light and sun possible.

LILT OP THE VALLEY.

This modest plant, when well flowered, excites universal admiration, but 'ow are aware of the large extent of- ground devoted in parts of Europe to its cultivation. It ia a. native of England, and is found there generally growing in shaded woods. In the neighbourhood of Berlin many nur«erymen devote most of their attention to this plant, and hundreds of acres are planted with it. It is estimated that there are thousands of acres of these plants in various parts of Europe. Where -'t is grown for forcing they are planted out in a well-prepared border of loam, * with manure trenohed in. The crowns are planted an inch apart in rows lOin wide, kept freo from weeds, and well watered m dry weather until the leaves die off. They are left undisturbed until $he second year. Some of the crowns may then be strong enough to flower, but would be all the better to have another year's growth. The plants resent disturbance. It takes three years to produce^ a strong flowefing crown or bud ; then, if not removed the plant will bloom every alternate year, but there are exceptions to this rule. The amateur may succeed with this plant if he can find a piece of ground partially •shaded by houses or fences, as they do best with coolness and shade. The soil must be well enriched with -»rell-rott«d oow or stable manure. While growing and sending up flower shoot* a little liquid manure ie of great benefit

GERMAN IRIS

These are an interesting group of hardy plants which are not so generally cultivated as they ought to be. They are splendid subj«>ts for massing together, being of various colours and mostly early flowering; their floral beauty is displayed while as vet the flower bods are without their summer occupants. Their flowers are quaint and curious in form, and' the splendid and peculiar markings are unsurpassed by any other flower of their season For cutting they are more valuable than orchids, a» they are within the reach of everyone having a few yard« of garden ground to devote to flowers. Their greatest merit is that they succeed in any soil, and flower during November and December.

A gentleman who is intimately connected with the fruit trade, and who is now in Roxburgh, reports a very satisfactory state of affairs in that district. The fruit crops, without an exception, are very fine, apricots, peaches, plume, cherries, and strawberries looking better than for many years. The late frosts did very little more damage to apricots than to judiciously thin them, while some growers have heavier crops and better fruit than they have before experienced. A large number of young trees have this year come into bearing, so that in a few years this district will be in a position to supply the whole of the Dominion with apricots. A very large quantity of apple trees have been planted, and are looking very healthy. Growers are combating successfully with the eod'lin moth by bandaging and spraying. Bountiful rains have fallen, with the result that the district has never looked so well, grass being plentiful. The growers are in high spirits, and look forward to a good season, the only rift in the lute being the want of the railway. There is very great disappointment at the insufficiency of the allocation for the Lawrence-Roxburgh railway. If anythihg were needed to convince the Government of the necessity to push on this railway it ie the appearance of the whole of the surrounding country and the large increase in cultivated land, not only for orchards, but for oereale and potatoes. Of the latter several hundred tons have been grown during the last yeariTa. great portion of which have been fed to horses and cattle owing principally to the expense of cartage to Edievale or Lawrence. While it is difficult to partioularise any orchard, those of Mr A. Birch and Mr John Bennetts show particularly well, both as regards quality and quantity of apricots, poaches, cherries, and plums, the fruit being well filled and forward, while for strawberries, Mr John Duniay, Mr R. Glendining, and Mr F. Bulier have splendid shows, the former eepeciaUj.