HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3244, 17 May 1916, Page 8

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

By J CrEBBIB. PLANTING ROSES. Where it is possible to do so, the planting of roses should be commenced, and, if possible, completed before the severe weather arrives. As. roses continue to form roots through the winter, during open weather, the advantage to bo gained by early planting will be readily seen. In most gardens tea rosea become exhausted after three or four years. If tho plants are carefully lifted and heeled in temporarily while the beds or borders are being trenched and enriched with manure and fresh loam if available, they can be replanted, and any very wornout, weak plants replaced by young stock. KOHL RABI. It is a wonder that this vegetable docs not find more favour in this country. In Europe it is an cvery-day vegetable, and much liked, as by many it is preferred to the turnip. The- kohlrabi used for garden purposes must not be confounded with the large field roots, as the garden varieties aro small, shapely roots of good flavour, with a sweet, nutty flesh, and is invaluable in hot, dry districts where turnips fail. The root of this vegetable is valuable for using in a small state. It is very palatable, and, unlike the turnip, does not quickly age and get hot and bad flavoured. There are not many varieties. The earliest is a small white root, and of good flavour. The short green top, so much grown in Europe, is a good summer variety, and not readily influenced by heat or drought. There is also a purple form ; but as regards this root it differs only in colour, and it is equal in quality. The same culture as given tho turnip will suit the kohlrabi. Sown for a summer crop, the roots remain sound a long time. A large sowing is not advised, but sufficient to meet a failure with turnips. MILDEW ON VINES. Vines that have !oeen affected during tho past season with mildew should, after the vines are pruned, be thoroughly washed with a solution of lib of sulphate of copper dissolved in 25 gallons of water. This will ensure tho destruction of tho hibernating mycelium during the winter. On the first appearance of white patches of mildew on tho upper surface of the leaves spray every part of the leaves and stems with a solution of loz of potassium sulphide to three gallons of water. As a preventive it is advisable to spray before the mildew appears, especially if it has been prevalent during the previous season. TRANSPLANTING SPECIMEN TREES AND SHRUBS. Much of the success of transplanting trees and shrubs of large growth depends on the time their roots are out of tho ground, their exposure during that period, the injury that they sustain in taking up, and, lastly, on tho placing of properly-prepared soil round thorn in the hole. The less time that they are out of the ground the bettor; but this timo is too often lengthened by indolence or vyant of previous arrangement. To rectify this the holes should be ready for tho trees before they aro required. Trees should not be taken up over night nor should the process bo persisted in in frosty or cold, windy weather. Tho roots of all trees and plants should be carefully covered with mats when trasportcd from one place to another, and every portion of the root, preserved. The tree being placed in its now abode upon a bottom prepared by pulverising the soil and placing some of that which formed tho surface of tho hole under it, the roots should bo regularly spread out, and any broken, or injured ones cut off. The best and finest of tho mould should then be sprinkled over them and wrought in amongst them with the hand until they are all covered, when the remainder may be filled in and well trodden and watered if tho ground be dry. Watering trees at planting is an excellent plan; but it must be remembered that its effects aro of most consequence in dry, light soils, and during dry, windy weather. Light soils cannot be trodden too firmly; but strong, wet soils may bo pressed into tho consistency of bricks and rendered impervious to tho influences of the _ atmosphere. All comparatively young epongiolcs or roots should have a layer of fine soil in and about them. This will cause them to propagate

much more freely, and will tend to the establishing of the tree or shrub planted. PRUNING ORNAMENTAL IRLES AND SHRUBS. The pruning of hardy trees and shrubs is an operation too generally neglected. All plants and trees, whether cultivated tor their Iruits or for the beauty of their flowers, require and should have an annual general pruning or arrangement of their brunches, and this pruning should be performed more or iess according to the beauty or effect expected of them. Those which are cultivated chiefly on account of thenflowers should in all eases be pruned upon the same general principles as fruit trees—that is, ail wood should be removed that has a tendency to exhaust or weaken the true or plant by an unnecessary profusion of leaves and branches. Those grown chiefly on account of their foliage slioulcl bo less pruned, merely taking away all weak shoots or part of those that are stronger where they appear too crowded. Those cultivated for the beauty of their natural shape or general outline require, little or no pruning except the removal of those brandies which may have been accidentally injured. Of this description are all those trees which stand singly upon tho lawn, etc. No one can expect to have fine shrubberies or even fine trees without the use of tho pruning knife if for no other purpose than the removal of -dead and misplaced sprays. In pruning shrubs the barbarous use of hedgesnears siiouid be avoided. The instruments lor this purpose arc pruning knives and saws, and the object to be attained is the removal of ail ill-placed braaches either where they cross each other to disfigure the tree or where they obtrude upon other specimens, or conic too closely to the walks or flower plots. In then - removal let it be done so that the amputation will not be discovered. PLANTING ORNAMENTAL TREES AND SHRUBS. The season for planting ornamental trees and shrubs extends from now to the end of September. In light, dry soils that have previously been prepared »y trenching, etc.. tho operation may be gone on with at any time between these two periods, provided the weather is mild and open. Ihe earlier. however, that trees are planted in such soJs the better. The caso is different with respect to strong, wet, retentive soils, in which, however well they may have been drained and trenched (two indispensable operations), the planting should be delayed till August and September. Much of the success of planting depends on the preparation of the soil —that it be properly drained and trenched. Manure is seldom necessary for lands to be planted for ornament unless they are very poor indeed, and the object bo to get up the plantation rapidly either for effect or to hide unsightly objects. In such oases manure may bo advantageously used. Where it is used it tells with marked effect upon the vigour and beauty of all kinds of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and trees, especially when they are in a young state. Most trees and shrubs show by their fullness and freshness how delightful a stimulant farmyard manure is. LARGEST SINGLE ROSE IN THE WORLD. In a Dominion nurseryman's catalogue we notico in the list of new roses one named Jessie Clarke, with the following description: —A distinct cross between hybrids. Such a cross has never before been attempted. The result is the largest single rose in the world. The colour is like Smica anemone; the bloom is twice the size, and more like a very large clematis. The plant is a vigorous grower. In opening the Patriotic Apple Show on tho 9th inst., the Minister of Agriculculture (the Hon. W. D. Si. MacDonaldJ said that the show was the most magnificent display of fruit culture ever made in New Zealand. The fruit industry had for many years languished. The Government had, however, dona much good work through the Horticultural Division, but it was due still more to private enterprise and its energy and enthusiasm that the industry had reached its present undoubted prosperity. Referring to the growth of the fruit industry in New Zealand, the Minister of Agriculture, in opening the National Apple Show at the Town Hall Wellington, on the 9th, quoted some figures. During the last 8 years, Mr MacDonald stated that the area laid out in orchards had advanced from 28.000 to 145,000 acres, while the export trade had increased from 12,000 to 68,168 cases.