HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3239, 12 April 1916, Page 8

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

By J. Gebbie.

A NEW TEACH. A Kaikoura lady bus forwarded a sample peach to see if we can identify it, with the following particulars. Tho tree was raised from a stone, and is now 11 years old. It has been allowed 1o grow naturally, has made a large amount of wood, and has never been pruned. This is tho first season the tree has borne fruit. It is a good peach. The, average weight of the fruit is close on Boz each, of good appearance and quality, and, for " poach a good keeper. We aro unable to identify it; but as it is raised from a stone there is_ every probability of it being a new variety. TRANSPLANTING DELPHINIUMS AND PEONIES.

Tho perennial delphiniums aro hardy herbaceous plants, of which it is impossible to write too highly. The stems aro from 3ft to 9ft high, clothed with lovely green leaves and surmounted by long spikes of most beautiful flowers in light blue, skyblue, porcelain, dark-blue purple, and other shades, with white, maroon, and black centres They last a long timo in bloom, the first flowers opening in early summer, and if tho flower btcms aro out off as the flowers begin to fade, young shoots will spring from the base and produce bloom late in autumn. A number of plants cut down early in January aro now in full bloom, and form attractive clumps in the border. Where they have exhausted the soil and tho clumps aro too largo they should be lifted, divided, and transplanted, and this is the bo&t time to carry out the

work. There is a certain amount of warmth in the soil, and the young roots will have a good chance of establishing themselves, and will flower better next summer than if planted later on. To grow them to perfection they require a rich soil deeply dug. Peonies are another class of plants bearing magnificent blooms, and should be in every garden. They grow and form luxuriant masses, which during November are far more beautiful than anything with which they are associated. A rich loamy soil suits them best. They arc best left undisturbed for years, and produce the largest flowers the second or third year after removal. When plants become too large to get their natural food they should bo divided and transplanted, either this month or next, and they will quickly become established. Pyrothrums and many other a-mraet flowering perennial plants of a like nature should be planted now, so that they may take root quickly and grow away strongly on the return of spring. When spring planting is resorted to many subjects fail to flower satisfactorily.

PROTECTION OF TENDER PLANTS. At this, season of the year there aro always a number of plants in the borders that for -various reasons one would like to keep through the winter. These, if allowed to remain where they are, will bo killed; therefore those to be saved from winter's frost can be potted up and kept in the greenhouse or frames during winter. Tho sooner -hey aro potted up now the better, as they should be stood in the open air for a few weeks, and in a shaded position, until they recover from tho check. It is a bad plan to remove a plant potted up fron. the border directly into the greenhouse. Cherry pie (heliotrope) is deservedly popular with everyone. There are two methods of keeping it over the winter —lifting a few plants and potting them up, or rooting cuttings now and keeping them through the winter. Old plants lifted with care will continue to bloom for a considerable time. Where it is necessary to lift geranium, and there are sufficient plants to select from, put up only small, sturdy specimens. A few of the largest leaves may bo removed; but, as a rule, no shoots should bo cut off. Any cuts made should bo dusted with finely-powdered charcoal as a precaution against damping. The size -of tho pots in which the plants are potted up should bo comparatively small, as during the winter very few new roots aro made by the plants. During the winter stand tho geraniums on a shelf in the greenhouse, keeping the soil only sufficiently moist to prevent the stems shrivelling. Tuberous begonias, when their leaves have been damaged by frost, should be dug up very carefully and the tubers placed in shallow boxes. The decayed foliage and stems should be removed. Place them in the full sun when possiblo until they aro fully dry. They must not remain outside during tho night, but should be placed under the shelter of a shed or greenhouse. When they are quite dry, and the remaining portion of tho stem is in a withered condition, remove tho latter by giving a gentle twist. Place tho tubers carefully in shallow boxes, one layer only per box, and stand them in an airy she'd out of tho reach of frost. _ Examine them at intervals during the winter, and should any signs of decay appear rcmovo the affected part. Perhaps the dahlia is the last to suffer during the resting stage. When frost blackens the foliage the to[is may then be cut down to within Ift of tho ground before being dug up. Lift the roots intact, shako off :Mp' riiuous soil, and lay them stalk downwards in a cool, dry placo until the sap has ceased to ooze from the stems. The tubers can then be stored in a shed or any frost-proof place. I find tho best and safest placo to be under a macrocarpa hedge or under pine or other ever green trees. Place the tubers on the surface of the ground and cover with a little soil or fallen leaves. In such a position there is no chance of them becoming dried up, as is often the case when stowed away in an outhouse. Fuchsias may be lifted and potted up,' or several may be planted into boxes and kept under tho stage of the Greenhouse. Look over the plants about once a month to see that soil is not too' dry, or the wood will shrivel. GATHERING FRUIT. With tho exception of lato sorts, most varieties of apples and pears can now bo gathered. Late sorts should be allowed to hang as long as possible, but must be gathered before frost injures them. If, on trying a fruit, tho pips have begun to colour, however slightly, tho fruit is ready to be gathered. Always gather in dry weather, when tho sun has been out some time. When gathering and storing, all fruit must bo carefully handled, as the slightest bruise will cause decay. Pears aro best laid out in single layers. Apples may be stored in layers three and four deep. I find that thus stored they keep better and longer than in single layers, as is generally advised. Walnuts should be allowed to hang as Jong as possible, for, if gathered too soon, tho husks aro generally troublesomo to get off. Walnuts that have been gathered and placed in heaps should now have tho pulpy outside casing removed fronj tho shells; the latter should be rubbed dry, and the nuts enn then be stored in bags. EARTHING UP CELERY. There is no gain in earthing up celery

early. Some people earth up regardless n[ tho condition of the plants. Earthing up checks growth to a certain extent; but tying the plants is a considerable gain. Raphia is the best tying material, and it should be drawn tight enough to bring the stems together without packing. One tie should be made near tho base of the plant and tho other ju.=t under the leaves. Earthing up can bo done when frost threatens. Though earthing up i-s a protection from frost, its .primary purpose in the case of early celery is blanching. If eartheel up when fully grcjwn, four to six weeks will suffice to blanch tho stalks. Earthing should never be done when the soil is verydry or very wet. When it is moist and crumbly it is right. Some growers take a piece of brown paper 2ft long by 6in v. id and roll it looselv round the stalk, first pushing somo soif into tho trench to ;.

depth of 6in. After the paper is placed in position soil can be heaped loosely against tho paper. For tho amateur wdio grows only a few dozen plants this is a very good plan to adopt.

SPORTS: A QUERY? A.W.H., T.C.K. would like to know if any carnation grower in tho colonies, amateur or professional, ever saw or ever heard of any growers, or has ever seen in any grower's price list, at Home or in the colonies, where a picotce sport was offered for sale or otherwise. Carnations at times do sport. All particulars will be thankfully received per tho Editor of tho Otago Witness.

No fewer than 8000 cases.of export apples were sent to Wellington last week by the Anchor steamers Nikau and Katoa from Motueka (says tho Post of tho Ist). This number included some 3000 cases which were to be brought by tho Kaitoa next day. The fruit is consigned to the South American market.