HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 12

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

By J. Gebbie. Tho ground is so sodden with so much rain that it is next to impossible to work it. Weeds and grass are growing luxuriantly, and I noticed the other day a back delivery cutting the rank grass off tho Waimate streets —rather an unusual sight. It is to bo hoped that a change for the better will soon take place, otherwise a continuance of this wet weather will result in serious loss to the farmers and others. 'lnc Waimate fruit-growers arc having an anxious time, as sunshine is much ■wanted to ripen off the strawberry crop, •which is a largo one. Raspberries are looking well, the crop is .good, and tho area in this crop is yearly being added to. Tho loganberry is also finding favour with some, and is being extensively planted. ROSE HEDGES JB’or a good flowering hc-dgo many of

the strong-growing roses are very suitable. There are many of the teas and hybrid teas of vigorous growth that can be' made to do good service in this way, and make a satisfactory show. Own root-grown plants —that is, plants grown from cuttings—should bo used, as with these there is no danger of the rose being killed by the suckers from the roots or stocks. Planted about 18in apart, and cut back on every new shoot to induce a spreading habit, a good hedge may be made. Such a hedge will look far better than many of tho other things grown in close formation. Where plants are crowded together as in a hedge intense cultivation is necessary to ’keep them in good health, whether they are roses or anything else. Amateurs, as a rule, think all manner of hedges do best when neglected. The ground should bo deeply dug or trenched, and well manured at tho start. A fair amount of cave and cultivation will bo necessary at all times; but the return will amply repay any trouble, care, and attention given. CANNAS. vTwenty-five or SO years ago only one canna was grown for the sake of its flower's; the others were regarded as only ornamental foliage plants. Since that time agroat change has taken place, and cannas as flowering plants occupy a prominent position for greenhouse and garden decoration. The flowers of many of them are really. good, and a succession may be kept up for a long time. The foliage also is very attractive. M. Crozey, of Lvons, was the first to introduce these new large-flowering sort? to the public. About I£BB quite a furore was caused over these cannas, owing to their showy character. Since that time riie raising of now varieties was taken up by others, and now the move recent varieties are far superior to the earlier ones. Por greenhouse decoration good flowering plants may be grown in n bin pot, and, with liberal treatment, will bloom freely. Larger examples can be readily obtained by increasing the size of the pot. Gannas are gross feeders, so must have rich soil, with plenty of moisture and liberal supplies of liquid manure. The same treatment applies to those grown in tho open ground. They are very useful for bedding out, and for this purpose tho roots which have been stored in some frost-proof place should bo started into growth in a . garden-frame, and grown on until all danger of frost is gone, when they may bo planted out. As winter approaches they should be lifted and stored out of the reach of frost, allowing the soil to adhere to tho roots. They can easily be increased by dividing the roots in spring. DISBUDDING CARNATIONS. Carnations grown in tho borders simply for tho decoration of tho garden and for cutting generally receive but little attention, and disbudding is not thought of. This is an error of judgment. As a rule carnations produce far more buds than they can develop properly; therefore a judicious thinning of the buds should take place. Some people may affirm that it is contrary to Nature; but Nature’s handiwork in this instance can be improved upon by reducing tho number of buds upon the stem according to judgment or fancy. For individual exhibition blooms only (one), the crown bud should be left, but for home decoration two or three buds may bo retained, and the results will be more pleasing. INCA R VILLI A S. The incarvilleas are a splendid race of plants, hardy, and easily-grown subjects for the herbaceous borders. One of the best is I. dclavayi, a plant with handsome cut foliage and large trumpet-shaped, rosecoloured flowers. The leaves of an established plant will measure 2ft to 3ft in length, and tho flower stems about 3ft bear a cluster of large flowers, which last for a considerable time. Although a hardy perennial, there is sometimes a difficulty in establishing those plants. The roots are very long, and require a very deep soil; but it must be well drained. If planted in undrained soils, especially clay, they invariably die. If the soil is composed of leaf-mould, peat, and sand, with plenty of drainage, splendid, well-established specimens will be secured. Roots can bo purchased in spring, and are to be preferred to seed, as quite three years must elapse before the.y begin to produce flowers. The plant seeds freely, and if sown as soon as ripe will soon germinate. Tho leaves will die down as winter approaches, leaving small, white tap roots not unlike a long radish. These may be loft in the soil during the winter, and kept very dry, and in late spring transfer to bods of rich soil to grow on. There are_ a fev: other species and varieties, all natives of China, which are worthy of cultivation. I dclavayi is flowering at the present time, and is much admired. MILDEW ON ROSES. Mildew is very bad on the roses this season, and is one of the worst pests that tho rose-grower has to fight against. Tho fungus which gives the mildewed appearance grows outside tho plant, merely sending suckers into it to obtain- nourishment. It attacks all tho growing parts, causing the leaves to become curled and incapable of performing their functions. . Shoots and buds are also attacked. Tho powdery appearance of the mildewed leaves is duo to tho presence of myriads of spores, each capable of reproducing the fungus in a fresh centre. As the fungus is on tho outside of the plant, it may be killed by suitable applications, and either dusting with flowers of sulphur while the leaves are damp with dew, or spraying with liver of sulphur (sulphide of potassium). One ounce in three gallons of water is the maximum strength lor cool, damp weather, while in hot, bright weather loz in six gallons is the limit of safety. Enough soft-soap to make a good lather should always be added in order to secure a thorough wetting of the plant. Mildew is always most virulent when the roses have received a check, as by drought or cold winds, or a water-logged condition of the soil. The fungus passes tho winter on the shoots in the form of felted webs of greyish threads. On account of forming this felt-likc growth, tho fungus is called Sphferotheca pannosa. Daring the winter all the mildewed parts should be pruned out and burned, as it is from these that infection spreads on to now growth.