GARDEN & ORCHARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3347, 8 May 1918, Page 6

GARDEN & ORCHARD.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. By D. Tannock. THE GREENHOUSE AND NURSERY. The last 01 tne cnxysantnemums should be got under shelter now tnat tnere is a chance of frost, if iho greenhouse cannot accommodate them, ail the later ones can oe placed under a verandah or a cauco shelter, anu removed to tne greennouse as they are required to replace tne earlier varieties. Water carelully and keep the atmosphere of the house as dry as possible, shoots will soon be appearing round the base of the old steins, but as it is tar too early to put in cuttings they should be pulled off. Make notes of the most satisfactory varieties and those which you intend to propagate for next season. Many of the varieties run out, and as newor ones are introduced from time to time they displace the old ones. Single varieties are justly popular »for cutting and for decorating the greenhouse; their chief fault is that they grow rather tall and leggy. The long stakes which were necessary when they were growing outside can bo removed, and shorter and less conspicuous ones put in their place, tying them out to allow the sprays of flowers room to develop. Bouvardias. azaleas, camelias, and rhododendrons growing in pots for greenhouse decoration should now be placed under cover either in the vinery or tomato house, or in a deep frame, and if it is desired to force cleutzias, Ghent azaleas, double flowering plums or peaches they can be lifted carefully as soon as their leaves drop and potted up; large pots are/ usually required to provide room for the roots.

Placo in a bush house or in tho shelter of a wall for a week or no, then place in a cool frame or greenhouse and later on take into a heated greenhouse where they can be syringed regularly and forced into bloom. J don't care for this form of gardening m3 7 self, but all the above-mentioned plants are useful for furnishing a largo greenhouse in spring

Continue to feed cinerarias once a week and encourage them to, make firm, sturdy growth. The soft -wood cuttings such as violas, pansies, marguerites, calceolarias and penstomons should be in by now, and a start can bo made with the hardwood ones. Apart altogether from the des ; :-e one has to increase tho 6tock of good kinds of trees and shrubs it is often necessary to renew some of the specimens as they become too big and unshapely. In and round Dunedin most of the native _ shrubs such as olearias senecios and veronicas most of tho hardy Dowering shrubs, sdmo of the trees, tho strong growing and rambler roses, and tho

gooseberries and currants, can bo rooted quite well in the open ground, without any kind of protection. In every case there is more skill and experience required in selecting the right kind of cuttings (that is, the right kind of wood) than in preparing and inserting them.

Hardwood cuttings take a long time to form roots, some often remaining quite fresh for six months, even starting into growth and then failing to form roots. Tht first essential is that the cuttings be taken from clean, healthy plants, which arc making plenty of young wood every year; second, the shoot must bo of the current year's growth and be well ripened, for only a well-ripened shoot will have sufficient plant food stored up in its tissue to enable it to heal up the cut and form new roots. A big, strong, overgrown, pithy shoot is no good, and likewise a weak, thin, spindly one is not worth putting in. Many people like to obtain cuttings with a heel, and when the shoot is long and strong enough this method certainly has its advantages. The side shoots are pulled off the main stem and they have a piece- of dense woody tissue where they were attached to the main branch, which does not ■ admit undesirable bacteria, it soon heals up and roots form readily. Unless the shoots are quite up to the desired size, both in thickness and length, it is better not to bother with a heel, but to cut the stem across immediately below a joint or node, the tissue is usually fairly dense there, and roots will form at a node when they won't develop up the stem. Evergreen cuttings such as olearias, seneeios, veronicas, laurels, etc., are better taken near the growing point; the stems should be about half the thickness of a lead pencil, or slightly thicker—nice and firm, and from nine to 12 inches long.

Cut the stem across below a joint or trim the rough parts off the heel, remove the leaves from at least two-thirds of the stem and cut out the soft and unripened growing point. Tie up the cuttings in bundles and bury them in the soil or the sand heap until they are put in.

. Deciduous trees and shrubs are easier to root than evergreen ones; the young wellripened shoots can be cut into pieces from nine inches to a foot long, cut across immediately below a node, and tied up in bundles and buried until required. Roses are quite easy to root when you can get the right kind of cuttings. Only the climbers, ramblers, and strong growers produce sufficiently strong, well-ripened shoots, and these can bo taken with a heel, or the stems can be cut into pieces from nine to 12 inches long, and they will form roots readily. Dog roses intended for stocks to be budded later on will also root readily. Wellripened young shoots should be chosen; they can be cut into pieces 12 inches long, and to prevent them from producing suckers later on, all the buds are carefullv out out except the three top ones, and tor the comfort of the person who has to do the budding all the spines arc removed. Gooseberries and white currants should be prepared in the same way as the dog roses; it is not desirable to have suckers growing up and choking up the centres of the bushes, and it is desirable to have a clean stem at least nine inches long; hence the need for removing all the buds except the three top ones. In the case of black currants where the fruit is borne on the young wood and the old branches are constantly being renewed by bringing up young oiics from the base suckers are no disadvantage; therefore all the buds are left on the cuttings. The cutting bed should be in an open place not overshadowed by trees or shrubs : it should be well drained, and deeply and thoroughly cultivated. It need not be rich, but if the- soil bo at all heavy a good dressing of leafmouid or bush soil, dug in, will be an advantage. With the spade take out a trench about 12in deep, and in the bottom oi it spread a layer of sand or lime rubble about two or three inches thick. Tins will assist the drainage, prevent water from lying about the base of the cuttings, and admit air, which is very necessary for the healing up of the cut end, and the formation of new roots. Place the cuttings about two inches apart in the trench* with their

base resting on the sand or rubble, push in the soil with the spade and tramp firmly. The soil can hardly be made too firm. The rows in the bed can bo 12in apart, which will allow plenty of room for cultivating between them during the summer.

Some of the conifcrae, such as totara, red wood, yew, and some of the cupressus will root readily from cuttings, but as it is not possible to get long pieces, short pieces, about three inches long, are used. These aro better put in a box and placed on the shady side of a hedge or in a bush house until they root. The following can be grown from cuttings: Poplars, willows, Prunus pissardi and P. Moserii, native olearias, eenccios, veronicas, ribbon woods, totaras, ratas, shrubby spiraes, weigelias, deutzias, plriladelphus, tamarix, viburnums, euonymus, dogwoods, currants, gooseberries, virginian creepers, rambler and climbing roses, etc. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. Continue to remove spent crops, to earth up celery and leeks, and to dig and trench vacant ground. A sowing of broad beans can still be made, the usual method being to take out a broad trench with the spade about three inches deep and nine wide, dust some superphosphate, basic slag, or ■ bone meal in it "and plant the beans six inches apart, one row along each side of the trench. Cover with the rake but don't tramp if the soil is at all wet. A sowing of peas can still be made on a warm, well drained part of the garden.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. D.W., Moraington.—The following shrubs are suitable for planting in sandy soil by the seaside :—Arbutus Unedo, Berberis stenpohlyya, Buddleia globosa, Choisya ternata, Cotoneasfcer Simonsii, Escallonia macrantha, Euonymus europaeus, Garrya elliptica, Hydrange hortensis, Lycium europaeum, Rharn.nus altera us, Ribes sauguinea, Tamarix gallica, Viburnum tinus, and such natives as rata', ngaio, Veronica elliptica, V. Andersoni, V. speciosa, V. Diifenbachii, Oleria Traversii, 0. Forsteri, 0. angustifoha, Senecio Greyii, S. rotundifolius, Broadleaf, pittosporums, cabbage trees, and flax. A.H.—lf your apple trees are badly shaped and of an inferior kind it would be better to grub them right out and replant with young ones. They could, however, be cut down and grafted in the spring. The best of the magnolias are M. stellata and M. conspicua, but both are hardy enough to grow in the shrubbery without protection. Magnolia grandiflora, the evergreen one is better planted in a very sheltered position or trained up a sunny wall. Ihey can be. transplanted now quite easily, prepare a good big hole, manure it well and mulch the surface with leaf mould or light manure after planting. • J.S.. Stirling.—Name of climber Cobea scandens. . . Novice, Waimate Olearia Forsteri when grown as a hedge can stand plenty of manure, which should be worked into the soil as trenching proceeds. If your plants are auite healthy a liberal mulching of well rotted manure would help them. Hie very weakest ones could be replaced, but clippin"- will not be required for another year except perhaps to trim up the side to prevent the hedge from becoming too wide. FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

AUCKLAND, May 2. The annual conference of the Fruitgrowers' Association was opened to-day. The Mayor (Mr Gunson) welcomed the delegates. Mr Moomaw, representing the American Department of Industries and Commerce, gave an address, in which he explained tho methods of packing, grading, and marketing adopted in America. He saw no reason why American and New Zealand interests should clash, and he advised the dominion growers to send a representative to America to investigate tho possibilities of the market. The conference adopted remits by tho directors that the federation consist . of registered societies, companies, and bodies composed of at least 75 per cent, bona fide fruitgrowers, holding not less than 60 per

cent, of tho shares or capital; that rule 20 be amended to read that tho profits and revenue of tho federation may Ik: applied to any lawful purpose which a general meeting shall determine upon. A remit that the Government -ho asked to amend tho regulations under tho Act to allow fruit infected with black spot to bo received in factories was moved by tho Moutere delegate, but was withdrawn, the conference considering that the discussion would trivo Professor Kirk tho opinion of the growers. Remits were carried urging the Government to establish horticultural stations m the Nelson, Otago, and North Auckland districts, and supporting tho immediate establishment of a .central school of horticulture.

May 3. The conferenco of tho .Fruitgrowers' Federation was continued to-day. The necessity of making every effort to develop oversea markets for fruit, and, in cases where shipping space is available, to induce the Government -again to guarantee Id per lb for fruit shipped, was urged in a remit from the Nelson Co-operative Fruit Company. —The remit was adopted. Tho Stoke Association forwarded a remit requesting that the Government be asked to restrict the importation of apples during the war. —The remit was adopted.

A remit from the Nelson Co-operativo Fruit Company urged that the Government be requested to in no case lend money under the Fruit Preserving Act without Ar6t consulting the directorate of the federation, and that the Act be amended to allot money to be lent to pay off existing mortgages. —The remit was adopted. A further remit bearing on the same subject forwarded by the directors, urged that loans under the Act be limited to associations affiliated ro the federation, and that if any of the institutions which have obtained advances should apply for further i advances an agreement should be made stipulating that a stated amount of space should be reserved for fruitgrowers other than shareholders, and that the maximum rate for storage be fixed from year to year by the Agricultural Department.—The remit was approved. The question of holding the next_ show was left with the directors, and that if held the show should be at Wellington, provided Canterbury docs not object. Other remits were passed urging tho Government to make a rebate on the Customs duty on machinery used in connection with the fruit industry; approving of the prohibition of the importation of fruit trees from countries- infected with root-knot, or gall; and urging the need for the coneervation of the white pine forests.

NATIONAL APPLE SHOW

A GOOD DISPLAY. AUCKLAND, May 1.

The National Patriotic Apple Show was opened by the Mayor (Mr Gunson), in the absence of the Minister of Agriculture. There aro exhibits from all parts of the dominion, and quality is a marked feature of the different varieties. Exceptionally fine provincial displays are made by Canterbury and Auckland. Exhibits are included from Central Otago, Stoke, Hawke's Bay, and Henderson. The private entries number well over 1100, and in addition there is an excellent collection of products by the orchard division of the Department of Agriculture.

RESULTS OF COMPETITIONS. AUCKLAND, May 2

The following awards are announced: — Twelve varieties: Teviofc Association, 1; Taylor, Christchurch, 3. Six varieties (deseertT: Waight and Sons, Roxburgh, 1 and 2. Six varieties (cookers): Michelle, Roxburgh, 1. Ballarat (cooking): 801 l Orchard Company, Ofcago, 1; Anderson Bros., Taradale, 2; Savage, Hastings, 3. Cleopatra (dessert): Maguire, Alexandra, 1; Ormand, Roxburgh, 2; Davidson, Alexandra, 3; Cox's Orange Pippin (dessert): Duncan, Tasman, 1. Delicious (dessert): Robertson, Hastings, 1 and 3; Lowe, Hastings, 2. Dougherty (dessert): Maguire, 1; Werner, Alexandra, 2; Cliff, Hastings, 3. Dunn's Favourite (dessert): Ci'oose, Hawke's Bay, 1; Gibson, Hawke's Bay, 2. Jonathan (dessert): Waight and Sons, 1 and 2; Michelle, Roxburgh, 3. London Pippins (dessert) : North, Blenheim, 1; Duncan, Tasman, 2. Lord Wolseley (coo'cing): Bennetts, Roxburgh, 1; Rcinette Du Canada (cooking): Marshall, Earnscleugh, 1. Rome -Bcautv (dessert): Kitto, Alexandra, 1; Nottage, Tasman, 3. Exhibition classes—Delicious (dessert); Robertson, 1 and 2; Southcott, Hastings, 3. Dougherty: Fullerton, Hawke's Bay, 1 and 2; Southcott, Hastings, 3. Dunn's Favourite (dessert): Flanders, 1; George Bros., Roxburgh, 2. Gravestein (dessert): Wilton, 1. Jonathan (dessert): Werner, 1; Haughton, 2; Nottage,. 3. London Pippin: Maguire, 1; Michelle, 2. Lord Wolseley (cooking): Robertson, 1 and 2. Reinette Du Canada (cooking): Marshall, 1; Bell Orchard Comfaiiy, 2. Rome Beauty (dessert): Nottage, ; Dunc.in, 2. Statoaman (dessert): Nottage, 1; Salcler, 2. Sturmer (dessert): Duncan, 1; Taylor. 2. Provincial district exhibits for most comprehensive and best collection of fruit produce grown, produced, or manufactured in the provincial district—Auckland 1, Canterburv 2.

District display of fresh and preserved fruits, honey, and nuts—Henderson Fruitgrowers' Association, Central Otago Fruitgrowers' Association 2, Hawke's Bay (Ltd.) 3.

Cleopatra dessert —P. J. Maguire 1 and 2. Dessert—P. J. Maguire 1 and 2. A. DavidBon 3. Cox's Orange Pippin dessert—C. P. Taylor 1. J. P. Michelle 2. Local market classes, 12 cases of each, four varieties unwrapped for local market, cooking and dessert;—Nelson 00-opentiv-> Fruit Company 1. Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association 2. . May 3.

The following additional awards are announced : Exhibition classes: Ballarat (cooking)—Freeman, Christchurch, 1; Marsha.ll, Earnsoleugh, 2; Taylor, Christchurch, 3. Cleopatra (dessert) —Maguiro, Alexandra, i and 2: Davidson, Alexandra, 3. Cox's Orange Pipp : n (dessert) —Taylor, Christchurch, 1; Mkhelle, Roxburgh, 2. Export classes: Dougherty (dessert)—Baldwin, Blenheim, _ 1. Statesman (dessert) —Wilkins, Blenheim, 1. Stunner (dessert) —Gilbert, Stoke, 1; Blaok. 81-mheim, 2. Local market olasses: Ballarat (cooking)—Taylor, Christ - oburch, 1. Cleopatra (dessert)"— M'Callum, Blenheim, 2. Cox' Orange Pippin (dessert) —Sisson, Christchurch, 1. Dougherty (dessert) —Baldwin, Blenheim, 1: Dawson and Co., Earnsclaugh, 2. Jonathan (dessert) — Gilbert, Stoke, 1. Lord Wolseley (cooking) —Taylor, Christchurch, 1; Sisson, Christchurch, 2. Statesman (dessert) —Wilkins,

Blenheim, 2. Sfcurmor (dessert)—Black, Blenheim, 1. Six eases, one variety—Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association. Six cases, ono variety, for export—Port Albert Association, 1; Nelson Co-operative Company, 2: Marlborough Association, 3. Collection of pears, 12 varieties—S. J. Intel), Christchurch, 1; J. 11. Dawson and Co.. Earnsdough, 2. Pears, six varieties —J. G. Veall, Henderson, 1; C. P. Taylor, Christchurch, 2; Mai-sha.ll, Earnscleugh, 3. ' Beurro d'Anjou —Fitch, 1; C. Taylor. 2. Beurro Bosc—Mrs M'Baron, 1 and 2. Beurro Capi du MontMrs M'Laren, 1 and 2. Beurro Clairgeau— W. A. Kennedy, Roxburgh, 1 and 2; Veall, 3 Beurro Diel —Kenworthy, 1; Fitch, 2; Piatt, Henderson, 3. Doyenne du Cornice— R. Dawson and Co., 1; S. Greenwood, Henderson, 2. Conference Pears—Mrs M'Laren, 1 and 2. Giblin's Neb's—-Fiteh, 1. Josephine do Malines—Wright and Son, Roxburgh, 1: Sweetmart. Hastings, 2. Bonnue Pears— Veall, i. Marie Louise—Taylor, 1. P. Barry Poars—Pickering, Henderson, 1. Tacford's Monarch —Longton, Christchurch, I and 2. Winter Colo—F. Wits, Christchurch, 1; Taylor, 2; Dawson and Co., 3. Winter Nob's—Dawson and Co., 1: Kitto, 2; J. B. Gilmour. Roxburgh, 3. Dessert, any other variety—Veall, 1: Mrs M'Laren, 2; Fitch, 3. Cooking, any other variety—Pickering, 1: Veall, 2; Freeman, Christchurch, 3. P. Barry Pears, wrapped —Sisson, Christchurch, 1. Winter Colo, wrapped—A. Davidson, Alexandra, 1; W, Hamilton, Warkworth, 2. Winter Nelis, wrapped—Dnvidson, 1. Dessert, picked, unwrapped—Davidson, 1; R. Dawson and Co., 2. Cook-'ng, packed, unwrapped—Taylor, 1; Longton, 2. THE PROCEEDS OF THE SHOW OF 1917. STATEMENT BY THE LOCAL COMMITTEE. The following statement relative to the distributing of the profits of the National Apple Show, held in Dunedin last year, is contained in a letter which has been addressed to the Otago Patriotic Association: The members of the late Apple Show Committee met on the 11th of March, 1918 (Mr Bathgate in the chair), to consider the allocation by tho New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation of the net profits of the 1917 Apple Show, and after full consideration the following resolutions were passed: 1 " That this meeting emphatically protests against the allocation of the proceeds of the 1917 National Patriotic Apple Show as decided on by the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, and requests that the amount be equally divided amongst the different provinces represented at the show and in accordance with tho definite arrangement made between the general manager of the federation and the Apple Show Committee. That the committee declines to accept the account tendered thrcugh a member of the Federation Executive, and failing that body agreeing to disribute the amount in a fair and equitable manner, that a balance sheet with particulars of the position be forwarded to the executive of the Otago Patriotic Association, and as the Apple Show was run for purely patriotic purposes, a copy of same to be handed to the press." 2. " That Messrs Duthie, Reynolds, and Turner be appointed a sub-committee to give effect to the terms of the mo'tion."

The president of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation has written in reply to the main resolution to the effect that the federation cannot see its way to reopen this question, the funds at its disposal having been distributed. ' Accordingly we have no alternative but to place the facts before your committee, and it now rests with you as to any further action to be taken. As you are doubtless aware, the 1917 National Patriotic Apple Show, held here last May, was run for purely patriotic purposes, and probably you are surprised that there lias been such a long delay in getting matters adjusted. As a matter of fact, we did not receive final intimation from the federation as to the allocation of the funds until they were distributed, and we have purposely delayed making this report for two months, as we did not wish to do anything which might prejudice Otago's chances of being represented at the forthcoming show in Auckland. It was arranged that the proceeds would be equally divided between the five different provinces represented at the S l lOW — v i Zo Otago, Canterbury, Nelson, Hawke's Bay, and Auckland. A local committee was elected to carry out details in connection with the show, and, with the approval of the general manager of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, it was arranged that the tea room should be run under the control of the Women's Patriotic and Ked Cross Committees, who would re- ■ ceive the gross receipts, they providing all material, assistance, crockery, etc., required besides accepting all responsibility for any los3 that might have occurred. The use of the hall for the tea room was kindly granted by Messrs Fuller and Sons free of charge. We have no knowledge of the amount expended by the ladies in carrying out this undertaking, but the total gross receipts were £6B 15s sd. In accordance with our arrangement, the receipts were paid over to us each day, and at the close of the show the amount was handed to the ladies' committee mentioned. The local committee forwarded to the federation a cheque for £3S3 Gs 7d, together with an audited balance sheet, which included sundry debits amounting to £54 Os Id, which should have been collected before any distribution of the proceeds was made. Included in these debits was an amount for freight, landing charges, cartage, etc., on a quantity of fruit which we believed was donated for patriotic purposes, but was "disposed of privately and the proceeds retained. The committee was responsible for all charges on fruit sent for competition, exhibition, or for sale for patriotic purposes, but they declined to recognise charges on fruit for which they did not receive the proceeds. The amount to be divided should be £3SB Gs 7d, plus debits of £5-4 Os Id, of which Otago's share wotdd be £BB lis Id, whereas the actual amount tendered by the federation through its Otago director (Mr A. Davidson) was £lB 18a, but as this represents practically £7O less than the sum to which your association is entitled, the committee had no option but. to respectfully decline to accept the amount mentioned. The federation apparently arrived at the result by deciding not to collect the amounts clue by sundry debtors, and by appropriating for the show funds the amount belonging to the Women's Patriotic and lied Cross Associations —viz., £6B 15s sd, this sum in turn being deducted from Otago'3 share when the final apportionment was made to the five provinces.

We endeavoured to have this matter adjusted in an equitable manner, but have failed, and, in justice to Otago and in fairness to the local committee and all those who so cordially assisted in making the show a financial success, we havo no alternative but to' place the position before your association. The balance sheet referred to in the resolution does not accompany this, as wo have not been favoured by the federation with a copy of the final balance sheet showing how tha

distribution was arrived at, but that is sufllcientl" indicated by tho figures given above.