OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 81

OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS COLUMN

FOR SENIORS AND JUNIORS. (Conducted by Magisteb. to whom all communications must be addressed) [Maoistku will be prad to receive Nature notes, marked papers containing educational articles, diagrams, details of experiments, etc., of scholastic interest to teachers and pupils. Correspondents must use only onb bide of the paper, and whether using a pen wme or not, must send both name and ADDfIESS.J GARDENING NOTES. (By Amateub.) the sweet pea. One of the _ most popular flowers of the present day is the sweet pea, axid with careful cultivation amid a little judicious arrairgemeint as to the times of sowing the seeds, blooms may be had fo,r at least six months of the yeair. Their diversity of colour is'amazing, and, since the introduction of the Spencer type, the blooms have not only increased in size, but also in beauty of form. Several years ago three flowers on a stem were considered good, but nowadays stems with four blooms are quite common, and we sometimes read of even five or six on a single stem. As is the case with all highly specialised flowers the newer varieties of sweet peas have a great tendency to sport, and so " rogues " are quite common. Even the beautiful Evelyn Hemus sometimes becomes quite streaky, and the person who grows the newest kinds must be prepared for an occasion disappointment. The list which was published a few weeks ago contains the best 12 distinct varieties. Of course there are many more, but don't attempt to grow too many kinds, becauso it will lead only to disappointment. The other day I was talking to a friend who had purchased several packets of sweet pea seeds, and she felt rather astonished when I informed her that in one instance she had duplicated the color. Be careful then that you procure good distinct varieties, and you will not be disappointed. The sweet pea is a plant which respomks to good cultivation, and to get the best blooms the ground must be dug to a depth of at least two feet, and a liberal supply of manure must be placed deep down so that the roots may revel in an abundant supply of food" and moisture. The plants love moisture, and should the weather be dry they must be thoroughly soaked at least once a fortnight. Don't forget to stir the soil well after watering, as that will help to conserve the moisture, and it will also destroy the weeds, which seem never to lose an opportunity of multiplying. After

the plants are well established liquid manure may be occasionally given, but be very careful not to overdo tbie or you "will find the buds dropping off before they have fulJy matured. The best blooms are borno on long, stout stems, 15 and even 18 inches long. It is best to line the plants out in rows, and when they are very email branching twigs may be used to support them. After they begin to grow vigorously sheep netting or manuka scrub make a splendid support. Place the plants at least a foot apart, better still 18 inches, and tho6e who have been accustomed to the old way of doing things will be astonished at the difference in the growth of the plants and the size and quality of the blooms. I know of an instance in which eome 60 plants, placed 18 inches apart, furnished an abundance of sprays of bloom for several months, and upwards of • 400 sprays of bloom have been produced by one plant. The produce of 420 seeds has yielded no lees than 40,000 sprays, so aim at quality and you will produce quantity as well. Don't allow seed pods to form if you wish to prolong the blooming season ; as in its effort to produce seed the plant will go on blooming for a considerable time. The flowers of some varieties scorch very quickly, and so it is sometimes advisable to provide shade. This may be done by stretching scrim on wires strafried between iiprights. Sulphate of iron loz, dissolved in five cr six gallons of water, will improve the colour of the darker varieties, but it must be used with great care, and should never be applied to the lighter coloured kinds. Should green fly affect the plants spray with weak soot water, and a dressing of apherite will effectually keep in check all insect pests. Hero is a list of good dahlias: — Cactus Varieties.—J. H. Jackson, Florence M. Stredwick, Buttercup, Ruby Grimstead, Dreadnought, Rev. Arthur Hall, Invernia, Etraria, Meteor, Mauve Queen, Hamlet, and GazeLle.

Show Varieties.—John Walker, Mrs Langtry, Sidney Humphries, Colonist, David Johnston, Harrison Weir. Hon. P. Wydrrham, R. J. Goodday, William Rawlings, Miss Gladstone, W. H. Williams, and Cherub.