HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3099, 6 August 1913, Page 12

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Bi J. Gebbib-

The winter is about over, and the weather so far has been all that could be- desired in North Otago and South Canterbury. Evidence of the mildness of the season may be seen on every side. In sheltered spots rose blooms could be gathered ail the wintei through, and in many gardens narcissi, primroses, violets, and crocuses may be seen in full flower. The wattles in several parts of the district are beginning to show their trusses of yellow blooms, cherry plums are to be seen* in bloom, and everything points to an early spring. DWARF FRUIT TREES. For planting on a small place dwarfgrowing fruit trees are entitled to especial consideration. They can be planted more closely in the row, and are more easily pruned and sprayed and otherwise protected against insect pests, and the fruit is more conveniently gathered than from tall-grow-ing trees. ~ Other points in their favour arc: they usually come into bearing earlier than the latter, and yield more abundantly. In flowering and fruiting so nearly on a level with the eyes, they are, from an ornamental point of view, as attractive, equalling in boautv and fragrance any °f the spring ornamental shrubs. Some of the varieties are naturally of a dwarf habit, and require little attention to keep them There are several processes of dwarfing, one by skilful and persistent rootpruning; another by choosing low, stocky plants.' and cutting back severely in winter and pinching off buds and terminal growths in summer; and another, most practised by nurserymen, and most satisfactory, is by budding "or grafting the desired variety on a dwarf-growing variety of the same species. In dwarfing the apple, what is called the Paradise stock was formerly considered best ; hut of recent years some other root stocks have been employed with equally good results. With care, trees on those stocks come into bearing the second or third year after planting. Many varieties of pears can bo grown on quince roots, and acquire a shrubby habit instead of the arboreal character in their habit of growth. The only drawback to the culture of dwarf trees is that they are not so long-lived as the standards; but, as they come early into bearing, yie'd abundant crops, and are so easily cared for they certainly are worthy of consideration for the small garden. HUMUS IX THE SOIL. To make the matter clear to those who do not understand what humus is. it might be well to state that humus is the darkcoloured mould left after any organic matter or vegetable matter has decayed. Then, in the light of this explanation, the gardener or farmer will understand that ,an\ organic matter turned under and allowed to decay will form humus. Humus must be added to the soil to make it produce good crops. There are several ways in which humus is increased in the soil—stable manure, straw, weeds, garden refuse, etc., and. in the orchards, clover or any other crop generally used for green manuring mav bo placed in to add humus to the soil. SELECT FLOWERING TREES. There are great numbers of fine flowering trees that do well in this country that, if suitably planted, would add greatly to the attractiveness of our gardens and pleasure 1 grounds. One of the first to open its blossoms in the spring is Magnolia conspicua. whose largo pure-white flowers areoso attractive even before the leaves expand and while most other subjects are at rest. It is of moderately rapid growth. M. soulan-

geana is a few days later in opening its blossoms, which are much like the preceding, but suffused with purple on the outside; the tree is not such a vigorous grower. These two magnolias are deciduous in character. M. grandiflora is an evergreen which produces its great white blossoms during summer; but, unfortunately, it docs not thrive in this part of the Dominion so well as the others. The Japanese cherries, single and double, in shades of pink and white are among the handsomest of spring flowering trees. Tho doubleflowering plums and peaches are from another fine-flowering group which are much admired when in bloom. Flowering and fruiting thorns constitute a large class, a large proportion of them being low trees, which vary a good deal in their season of flowering. Paul's double. crimson, single crimson, double pink, and some others are very showy. Belonging to the apple and pear families we have Pyrus spoctabilos. with large rose-coloured blossoms, deep red when in the bud stage P. mains florabunda is smaller-growing than P. spectabiles, but is very fioriferous. The flower buds are deep crimson; but. when expanded, they are much lighter. Thq mountain ash J 6 £ handsome tree in spring when studded vitti clusters of whitish flowers, and in autumn when laden with showy fruit. Arbuais unedo and Arbutus anclrarhnc are two beautiful evergreen trees, valuable from the fact of their flowering cqntinuons'y throughout the winter, in addition to which the fruits are also highly ornamental. Acer rubrum is the first deciduous tree to expand its blossoms, and though they arc but small, their bright red colour, the profusion in which they are borne, and the fact of the shoots being still leafless all tend to direct attention to it; besides which it is a handsome tree, the autumnal tints of tho foliage of which are very bright. As a highly ornamental tree the laburnum is well known. Seedlings of this tree vary a good deal in depth of hue and profusion of flowering; therefore some are superior to others. Kcellrcutcria paniculata is an excellent low-growing tree with handsome pinnate leaves and spreading panicles of yellow flowers. It requires a sheltered position Tho tulip tree Linodendron tu.ipehra is a fine-foliaged tree, which forms an attractive specimen on the lawn. A really fine little tree for 'pleasure-ground decoration is Liquidamber etyraoifiua. This grows to a height of about 20ft. It improves m colour as the season advances, the purplish tinge of the leaves coming out in fine character, and shading off into a golden hue as autumn returns.