GARDEN & ORCHARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3337, 27 February 1918, Page 7

GARDEN & ORCHARD.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. Bx D. Tannock. THE GKEENHOTJSE. Primulas and cinerarias will now be comving on fast. They never seem to grow properly until we get cool, moist weather. Place the cinerarias out in a frame, ehacte them from strong sunshine, but remove the sashes at nights and when there aro gentle showers. Natural watering and. spraying are by far the best. The second batch of Primula sinensis should soon be ready to pot out of the boxes into which the seedlings were pricked. Both primula Kewensis and primula malaooides are growing strong. They require to be encouraged by careful watering and spraying overhead, and when the pots are filled with roots, give a little weak liquid manure once a week. Poinsettas are useful for the warm green-house-during winter. Their bright coloured bracts are always interesting and attractive. They will be growing rapidly and. as it is most important that they make good growth now, and do not receive any check, they require to be watered carefully. A little liquid manure at least one© a week will help the colour of the foliage and the bracts later on. As gloxinias pass out of flower they can bo placed in the propagating house and watered! for a week or so until the foliage shows signs of ripening off, when water oan be withheld, and the ripening process will soon be completed. When referring to bulbs for_ forcing, I omitted to include the Lachenalias or Cape cowslips. They are neat, rather small in growth and quaint in flower colouring, being various shades of yellow, tipped with green, red, and brown, and the leaves are spotted with dark blotches and very _at- . tractive. They are excellent for growing in small pots, pans, or baskets, and require similar treatment to freesias. There are .a freat many species '.and varieties, but Ihe est aro L. aurea, L. Nelsoni, L. pendula, and L. tricolor. For pot culture five or sixinch size will do. The soil needs to be light and rich, and a mixture of two parts turfy loam, one part leafmould and finely sifted cow manure, and one part . sand and lime rubble will be sutiable. and lime rubble will be suitable. pot, seven to nine in the 6-inch size, and plant them half an inch deep; give one good watering and stand out in a frame beside the freesias. Leave in the frame Until frost comes or.the flower spikes begin to appear, when they can be shifted into the greenhouse and given a, little heat to hurry them on. Lachenalias in hanging wire baskets are very popular and very attractive. The basket should be lined with moss, then put in a little soil, and in this place the bulbs with their crowns looking l outwards towards the sides and bottom .of the basket, but so placed that the growth will come out between the wires. Fill up with soil and place a slate over the top to prevent the soil from falling out when the basket is inverted as. it should be when placed out Jn the frame beside the pote. As soon as tho growths come through they can be removed to the greenhouse and hung up. Nerines arc now coming into flower and as they. produce their flowers before their foliage, they look very peculiar, though bright and attractive. Nerine sarniensis, the Guernsey lily, is tho one most commonly frown, but N. Fothergilli, N. uncfctlata, N. Jowdeni, and N. flexuosa. with their many beautiful hybrids, are also worth growing. In very warm sunny positions they can bo grown outside, but in the south they are more- reliable when grown in pots. They flower best when well established and potbound, and they do not require repotting for years. -When potting up bulbs, use ,i Boil mixture of loam, leafmould, and sand in about equal proportions, and place five or Bix bulbs in a six-inch pot. Repotting should not bo dono until the bulbs lift themselves out of tho pot, but the drainago can be examined and a little topdressing given each year when growth commences. When the flower spikes appear tho pots should get a good soaking, and when the foliage commences to grow, which is usually after the flowers are "well advanced, they should be encouraged to grow by receiving liquid manure twice a week. Place in a warm sunny position where they get plenty of light. When tho leaves begin to show signs .of ripening, water should be withheld and tho pots placed oh a shelf in full sunlight, where they will get a good baking during tho summer. THE FLOWETt GABDE.V. Continue to clear away annuals as they pass out of flower and out over herbaceous plants which have ceased to be ornamental. In tho case of herbaceous plants, such as phlox and several others, it, is not advisablo to cut the stems righs off at tho ground level. This weakens the crown, and tho growth tho following year is not eo vigorous. It is better to cut off tho flowers and leave the stems until they ripen right off. Kniphofias. or red-hot poker plants, aro •»ory decorative whero they can bo grown in large clumps, and they thrive best in a moist position near water. ' Kniphofia

aloides (Syn. K. Uvaria) is 'the best. Its flower stems grow to a height of (rem sft to 7ft, and the flowers vary from scarlet to orange, scarlet, and yollow. K. Tysom i 3 also a handsome variety, with persistent strong foliage of a soft glaucous shade. The rlowors are orange, scarlet, and primrose yellow, the upper portion of the inflorescence being red and the lower primrose. They are greedy plants, and like a good mulching of well-decayed stable manure, and they should receive plenty of wafer during dry weather. , The hydrangeas aro favourite garden plants, and, when well grown, are very useful both for garden and house decoration. They aro quite hardy, and soon develop into large specimens, bearing either pink, white, or bluo flowers. The ordinary garden hydrangea is Hydrangea hortensis, a native of China, and cultivated for its heads of sterilo flowers, the fertile ones being nothing like so ornamental. It is said that the colours are determined largely by the kind of soil in which they are grown, and that a pink flower can be turned into a blue one by supplying it with a considerable quantity of iron in a suitable form. Somo bury iron filings round the roots ot tho plant; others dust sulphate of iron round tho plants and water with alum water, made by dissolving one teaspoonful of powdered alum in a quart of >'ater. This should be applied when the plants are growing freely and before the flower heads show. Others soak a quantity of rusty nails or pieces of iron in a kerosene tin, and water with tho liquid once a week. It is remarked that plants sometimes produce pink flowers one year and blue flowers the next in the same garden. The variety Thomas Hogg has immense heads of white flowers, and is well worth growing. _ Hydrangea paniculata grandiflora is a very fine shrubby kind. It is said to grow to tho height of a small tree in its native country, Japan. The massive clusters of pure white blossoms terminate every shoot in the autumn, and they are very beautiful when grown in beds or bold groups. It is treated as a dwarf shrub, the young stems being cut back to within an inch of the old wood every winter. It likes a rich, moist, deep, loamy soil, which must be deeply trenched and liberally manured; but, though a certain amount of shade is beneficial, it should not be planted near trees with a strong root system. Largo bushes of H. hortensis should bo cut back every year, in the spring, just before growth commences, but the stems are better left until all danger of frost is past. Hard frosts often cut them right down to the ground during winter. Hydrangeas are easily propagated by means of cuttings. Pieces of partly ripe wood, about 6in to Bin long, if put in a cutting bed will root readily and flower the first year. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Continue to lift potatoes, sorting them out into table potatoes, seeds, and very small. As soon as the tops aro cleared away and burnt to destroy spores of tho disease, the ground can bo limed, dusted with superphosphate, and planted up with winter cabbage and'broccoli for the spring, or sowings of prickly spinach, carrots, turnips, or onions can be made. The early planting of leeks and celery will now be ready for blanching. This is necessary to remove the green colouring matter and to modify the flavour. Some vegetables when green are quite bitter, but when blanched have an agreeable flavour. In the case of leeks the -blanching extends over a long period. Whether planted in trenches or not. they are better blanched with paper collars, ' which are made by tying two or more thicknesses of brown paper round the stems and drawing them upwards from time to time as growth proceeds, filling in or drawing up the soil round them at the same time. By placing two boards on edge. on each side of tho rows of leeks and filling in a few inches of soil 1 at a time as the collars are drawn up nice long clean white stems can be obtained. Be careful not to drop soil in among the .leaves. The early kinds of celery are supposed to be self-blanching and not to require planting in trenches, but they are better of a little assistance to get satisfactory stems. First pull away all side shoots and short leaves and dust lime or soot along tho rows to destroy slugs; then tie up the leaves with soft string or raffia; over this tie a double sheet of brown paper- and earth up to a depth of three or four inches, then cut the ties, and leave on the brown paper. The paper prevents the dirt from getting among the leaves and keeps them clean, but though the paper is sufficient to keep out the light and cause blanching, tho soil is necessary to keep the stalks firm and solid

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS A.H.—Tho specimens of shrub and euckers have not arrived. It is still too soon to sow schizanthus for flowering in tho spring, but a good deep frame or a greenhouse is necessary to grow them properly. Single geraniums are more suitable for bedding than double ones, but I do not consider white geraniums suitable for bedding except as groups in a mixed border. TAPANUI FLOWER SHOW. The Tapanui Horticultural and Industrial Exhibit Society's annual show, held on Saturday, 16th, was a great success financially and otherwise. Thrt weather was favourable, and the attendance wds above tho nverage, close on £W being tedter. a 1; the door. Entries were slightly in excess 1 of those of last year, and vegetables, jams and jellies, dairy produce, cut flowers, school -section, and industrial exhibits were all strong sections, wfh good competition throughout. The show was capably managed, and in the evening the patrons were treated! to musical programmes by tn-a lonal brass band and Bundle's string band. Bed Cross workers had a t-ttisy day in the refreshment rooms, and their surplus eatables, together with gifts of produce, etc., vere sold at auction at tho close of tho show. The judges in various sections were: Flowers and pot plants, Mr John Campbell (Tapanui); vegetables and fruit, Mr Geo. Skene- (of Skene and Robertson, Dunedin); pioduce and) jam end jellies, Mesdames Ronald M'Donald (Waikoikoi) and Gavin Brownlio (Tapanui) ; industrial exhibits, Mrs Pigeon (Gore); and school section, Mr R. G. Robinson (Tapanui). In the pot pla-nt section Miss Perry and Mrs W. W.. Mackie were most successful, other prize-takers being Miss M'Gillivray, Mrs Sim, Miss Davidson, James Clouston, Miss Qui) 1 .. In the cut flowers section Mrs D. M'Duff, J. Puliar, and W. Exler were tho chief priz-e-takere, others with more than ona prize being Miss Crawford, Mrs M'Leod, James Clouston, W. R. Quin, A. H. Hnv.-kins, A. J. Stivoit, R- G. Robertson, J. G. Duncan, and Miss F. Sheddan. In decorative work Mis-3 Perry, Mrs W. R. M'Leod, W. Exler, and Mrs W. R. Quin were most successful, Mrs J. W. Jarrold, Mrs Hendrle, Miss M'Gillivray, and J. Clouston also gain-

ing _ awards. In the fruit section R. G-. Robinson. D. Martin, Miss Quin, and Mrs Jas. Instead weiro meat successful, Geo. Jarrold and Miss Moore also securing prizes. In the vegetable section A. J. Stiven, Jos. Clouston, A. H. Hawkins, D. A. M'Do-nald, W. R. Quin, R. A. Rodger, A. Munyard, and Miss Quin were- the most successful exhibitors. Mrs Jp.ckways, Miss Perry. Mrs M'Leod, Mrs C. Smith, Mrs Munyard, Mrs J. A. Steel, and Miss Davidson were prominent amongst prize-takers. In the produce section Miss Braudigam figured most frequently in the prize list, other successful exhibitors being Misses B. and A. Fleming, Mrs Jas. Clouaton, and Mrs J. Kersc, jun. Tbo prizes in the juvenile and industrial sections were widely distributed." BRUCE HORTICULTURAL SHOW. The Bruce Horticultural Society's annual show was held at Milton on the afternoon and evening of the 16th, but the entries were disappointingly small, and the attendance of the public was not up to expectations. "The entries totalled 923, as compared with over 400 on former years, the principal reduction being in pot plants, decorative work, and the vegetable section. Mr J. W. Clarke (Green Island) officiated as judge. The rose championship was won by Mr J. M. Breck, the sweet pea .championship by Mr H. W. Wilton, and that for dahlias by St. Joseph's School. Border flowers were the strongest feature, and in some classes of these there was keen cornpetition. In greenhouse pot plants John Breck and A. Potls divided the awards. In border flowers, John Breck, A. Nelson, and A. Potts divided chief honours, other prizewinners being Miss J. Farrell, Mrs King, St. Joseph's School, and J. W. Hilton. In the decorative class, Miss Nellie Adam, Miss C. Plever, and Mrs D. Reid were the prizetakers. In the children's decorative class the prizetakers were Irene Gregory, J. Scoone, Edith Fletcher, Joyce Thompson, Irene Fletcher, Lester, and 0. Plever. T. Hyams, C. Mills, Mrs Roxbay, 0. Caudle, and Mrs D. Reid were the prizetakers. A Potts, C. Mills. and H. B. Ransome were the most successful exhibitors of- vegetables, other prizetakers being Mrs Roxbay, J. Breck, Miss Farrell, T. Hyams, and A. E. Powley. DUNSTAN HORTICULTURAL SHOW. The fourteenth annual show of the Dunstan Horticultural Society was on the whole sucoessful, as, although competition was not so keen as last year, the quality of the exhibits was excellent, as Mr Blackmore, who judged the fruit, remarked, he doubted if a finer display in that class was ever made in any part of the world. Mr J. L. v Davidson secured most points in fruit, and consequently holds the Laidlaw Cup for this year. The cup in the horticultural sections was again won easily by Mrs S. A. Stevens. In the vegetable sections there was keen competition, and the onions, marrows, potatoes, etc., were of the' highest quality. Mr O. M'Glone won the prize for most points in this section. _ Messrs Dawson and Co. staged for exhibition only a fine collection of fruits, which was greatly admired. HICHCLIFF SCHOOL FLOWER SHOW. The fifth annual flower, vegetable, and cookery show of the Highcliff School was held in the School Hall on tlie 15th inst. The exhibits in cookery and flowers were excellent, but the ivegetahles were much poorer than usual, more especially the potatoes, owing to the prevalence of blight. Mr T, Brown made a special display of collarette dahlias, which were much admired. The proceeds of the show were in aid of the school improvement fund. In the afternoon the judges —Mesdames Bishop and Garr and Messrs T. Brown (flowers) and )\ 3. Duckworth (vegetables)—gave their' decisions, which met with entire satisfaction. In the evening the hall was packed. The show is rapidly increasing in popularity, and its educative value is being realised. Practically each home in the district was represented, the children -being the chief exhibitors, and some keen competition took place. At 9.30 p.m. the exhibits were offered for sale, and parents and friends were most liberal in their purchases. Mr Bishop had charge" of the vegetables, Mr J. Fairbairn of the cookery, and Mr R. M'Kenzis of the flowers. Donations to the prize fund were received from Mesdames Bishop and Henderson and Messrs J. Fairbairn, J. Bishop, T. Brown, W. Maben, and W. Henderson, while many parents and friends sent along vegetables for Kale. A "bun" competition created much amusement during the evening. Supper was then handed round, and the hall was cleared for dancing. Mr H. Kitto acted as M.C., and Mr T. Brown supplied the music.

The chief prize-takers were:—Vegetables —A. Johnson, A. Weir, 0. Weir, H. Gar butt, G. Garbutt, G. Bishop, Z. Bacon, and E Stuart; flowers —A. Kitto, Miss Stuart, and B. Henderson; cookery—Miss Fairbaim, Mrs J. Stuart, and Mrs Kitto; confectionery—Miss J. M'Kenzic, M. Jury, N. M'Meeking, 0. Kitto, E. Henderson, L. Pryde, Miss Fairbairn, James Brunton, 8.. Kitto.

CROMWELL HORTICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY. The. Cromwell Horticultural and Industrial Society's first annual show in the Athenreurr. Hall on the 16th was a most successful one, and reflected great credit on the committee. A special wflfd of praise is due to the enorgetic secretary, Mr E. M. Vickerman. There was a fine display of pot plants. The vegetable section was very good, and special mention should be made of the onions and vegetable marrows. In the fruit section, applet and peaches were very fine. The lady competitors made an attractive display of cookery and fancy work. The judges, Mesdanies Bargood and Burns, were highly delighted with tho class of work exhibited, and in many instances had a hard task in selecting the prize-winners. Mr Brodrick (Mayor of Cromwell), in opening the show, congratulated tho society on the effort and wished it every success. Mr Hamel, judge of flowers, etc., said the show compared very favourably with many country shows he had visited. He made special reference to the display of cut flowers, which were a credit to the district. The Lowburn School had an excellent exhibit of garden produce. Mrs Burns (of Lake Wanaka) showed a splendid collection of variegated sunflowers. _ The following also had spocimens for exhibition: —Mr Mackenzie, sunflowers; Mr Bowie, sugar corn; Mrs Jackson, honey; Mrs Michaelis, ornamental grass; and Towan Bros., lucerne. Mr Hamel (of Dunodin) judged the garden produce, Mrs Hamel the decorative, and Mesdarnes Burns and Sargood th? cookery and industrial sections. During tho evening musioal items, rendered by Miss Bowie ana Messrs Yeoman and L, Jolly, were much appreciated by a very large gathering. The thanks of tho society and tho Lowburn Bed Cross wero accorded to Mr R, Varcoe, who sold by auction a large oollec-

tion of goods for the benefit of these two bodies.

In th« pot plant section, Mrs William Gibson was the principal prize-taker, other prominent exhibitors being Mr S. Wishart, Mrs Sheib, Mrs James Ritchie, and Mrs E. Jolly. In cut flowers, Mrs William Gibson and Mrs James Ritchie were again prominent, other prize-winners being Mrs Scheib, J. Varcoe, E. Yickerman, A." M. Brodrick, Mrs Middleton, Airs W. R. Mechoelis, Mrs do Bcttencor, Mra M. Murray, and W. Brown. In the fruit section, M. de Bettencor was very prominent, other successful exhibitors being Moodie and Bilton, H. Burrows, J. Swann, Towan Bros., Miss G. Harding, Mrs M. Murray, H. Orr, J. Davidson, William Gibson, J. Ritchie, W. Kilgour, A. M. Brodrick, J. Bftts, arid W. R. Mechaelis. In the vegetable section the prizes were well distributed, amongst those who secured more than one prize being William. Gibson, T. Hayes, sen./ James Ritchie, E. Vickernian, W. Brown, D. Bret'herton, G. Yeoman, W. R. Mechaelis, and J. Betts, 6en. Mrs Middleton was the most successful exhibitor in decorative work, other prize-winners being Mrs Soheib, Mrs W. R. Mechaelis, Mrs Jamoß Ritchie, Mrs Moodie, and Mrs Bilton. Mrs Middleton was the most successful exhibitor in the cookery section, others who won more than one prize being Mrs R. Olds, W. T. Kilgour, Mrs Alf. Hanson, Mrs F. Faithful, and Miss F. Robsrt'on. Winners of more than one prize in the industrial and fine art section were Miss Tidey, W. R. Mechaelis, Miss A. Swann, Mrs J. Varooe, Mrs P. Hansen, and Mrs J. Ritchie. Tbo prize-takers in the juvenile section were Ngaio Ritchie, J. Gibson, H. Jolly, Kitty M'Nulty, J. Gibson, Annie Varcoe, Coila Heyes, S. Brown,' H. Harvey, Jessie Smith, James Frew, F. Gibeon, and It. Jolly.