IN THE GARDEN.

Shannon News, 3 November 1925, Page 4

IN THE GARDEN.

Rapid growth is noliceable in all gardens, especially among the roses, which are throwing out strong healthy shoots. The earlier varieties should be budded as soon as possible, if wanted for exhibition. A. top. dressing of superphosphate will also be found beneficial, lightly worked in with the hoe. Plant dahlias and chrysanthemums in their permanent quarters. Plant plants of all varieties of annuals and. perennials, also seeds of such kinds as aster; zinnia, marigolds, nasturtium, small bedding petuma and phlox drummondi. The Vegetable Gai'den The soil is now at a suitable tern, perature for the rapid germination of the melon and pumpkin tribe. Sow also french beans, carrots, parsnip, savoy cabbage and late flowering cauliflower and broccoli for winter use. Continue rotation sowings of peas, and plant the main crop po_ tatoes. Sow mangolds, and soft turnips and celery for winter use, and rhubarb seed, plant artichokes. 'Make fortnightly sowings of lettuce, cress, etc.,/ and plant tomatoes.

Gladioli and thcii* Cultivation. Gladioli are shooting freely and a planting of the most forward ones should be made. If weekly or fort, nightly plantings are made, the flowering season is prolonged. The hybrid gladioli of to-day, are with, out equal as flowering plants, and tend to make a glorious display in the garden. Rapid strides have been made by hybridists during the last few years, both in beauty of form and colouring. Strangely enough accord, ing to a daily paper this hybridising has met with the disapproval of the strict Orthodox Church at Goshen, Ind, where JVIr. A. E. Kundred the well known gladioli grower has been banned,, because * by hybridising gladioli to produce new varieties he was interfering with the divine scheme of things. This action gave rise to the following lines from the pen of A. J. Grieve: Hybrids to right of them Hybrids to left of them Hybrids all round them Poor Mr. Kundred Your Primulinus trade Goshen's devout dismayed And so the price you paid From your church sundered* ■O what a charge they made The flowers you disarrayed Evolving each wondrous shade • The pollen you plundered Villain, your hands are stained With the rich blood you drained Ah! what the world has gained Thanks, Mr. Kundred. Theirs not to reason why Sinners just had to buy Your pagan gladioli All the world wondered To such "glad" charms' they fell Rapt in a blossomy spell They are the stuff to sell ' Send me a hundred. Thanks are due to Mr. Kundred for many of the new' dainty types of gladioli; known as the Primulinus family. For cut flower work these are eminently suitable. For th e successful cultivation of. the gladioli, a well drained soil is ol paramount im. portance. Soils of a heavy tenacious nature should be lightened with a generous amount of leaf mould, stable manure, ashes from garden rubbish fires and anything of a gritty nature. Where soils are too light and sandy, allowing the moisture to escape too readily, it is a good plan to dig out the soil at least a foot in depth, after which add a heavy .dress, ing of cow manure. This should be firmed, and will then aid considerin retaining moisture. Plant the corms three inches deep in heavy soils, and four inches in light soil.

Light top dressings of fertilizers are also helpful, applied after planting. By reason of the erect character of ; their growth which has given them the name of the Sword Lily, the corms may be planted rather closely together say, five to six inches apart. In the herbacceous border and spaces in shrubberies clumps of these state, ly beauties show to advantage during the autumn months, usually filling In a gap when brightly coloured flowers , are not over plentiful. The gladioli \ love moisture, quickly responding to generous supplies of weak liquid manure. Inez-easing the Stock Despite the fact that the varieties to-day are legion, there is no reason why anyone interested in these flow, ers should not attempt to raise seed, lings which flower during the second year. It will be found that the majority of them if saved' from good varieties, are quite good enough for garden decoration. Another method of increasing the stock is,, to save the tiny bulblets that cluster about the base of the corms. Some varieties are very shy producers of these bulb. lets, while others multiply rapidly. In conclusion the gladioli present no difficulties to the cultivator. Just what is necssary to bring about the best results depending entirely on good drainage combined with a little forethought on the nature of the soil. Irises in the Gai'den Many beautiful varieties of the; beardecl iris family are smothered with lovely blooms, filling in the gap between the bulbous subjects and the roses. The grey green shade of their foliage is both beautiful and restful to the eye. They need to be well established, where they will yield a great quantity of blooms. They are one of the most suitable subjects imaginable for the rock garden, choosing the well drained spots, the rock set. ting lending them additional charm. The iris has been termed the "Orchid" of the garden and rightly so. A border planted entirely with tall bearded irises (commonly known as the flag iris) tastefully grouped, pre. sents a picture of artistic beauty which must appeal to all. In the herbaceous border they are also of great value, never clashing with the colours of other flowers. In bygone days, the only colours obtainable ' among the bearded iris, wa s the blue one and the white. At the present time a great number of attractive colourings are on the market, ranging through many shades of blue, and old gold shades. orange and cream shades,, many varietie s showing the "fails" in a contrasting colour, fas. cinating subjects for all kinds of gar" den display. This particular type of iris family has been known to do remarkably well in clayey spots in which very few other flowers will grow.