RANDOM NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 23796, 19 April 1939, Page 15

RANDOM NOTES

ITEMS OF CURRENT INTEREST Rock Garden.—Now that there is a lull in the major operations of the garden, the opportunity may be taken of making any alterations, or constructing new rock work. In the wild, many alpines are found growing at high altitudes, growing on well-drained sites, and exposed to all the elements; therefore, it follows that a well-drained sites in the open is preferable to one surrounded by deciduous trees, which are a continual source of worry when they start to shed their foliage. Anything in tbi form of over dampness proves fatal to many of the choicer alpines, therefore, blown leaves should never be allowed to accumulate among the plants, and the drainage should be well-nigh perfect to avoid a heavy death, roll during wet winters. The weather at present is more favourable for doing work of this kind than later in the season, and if it can be accomplished in time many subjects can still be planted which will make a fine show next year. In the construction of rock gardens big stones should be used, if P° ss j° a . s smaller ones never give the bold ertect, or natural appearance which should be aimed at in work of this description. They will also afford protection lor many plants which do best when grown in partial shade, or subjects such as Lithospermum prostratum, Aubnetias or helianthemums, all of prostrate habit, which may be planted above them. Crevices left between the stones be filled with soil suitable for the subjects to be planted therein. A grittv compost suits most of the saxifrages and sedums. It is best to leave •the filling of the pockets until most ot the construction has been completed, when they may be filled with suitable soil and planted. Gladioli.—The corms of the bigflowered and primulinus gladioli should now be lifted, keeping the tops intact, and laid out in an open shed or similar place to ripen. When the tops have completely withered, the corms may be cleaned and stored in a dry place where they will be safe from frost 01 vermin until planting time. Cold Nights.—Keep a sharp watch for the advent of frost and have everything tender covered up wherever possible. It often happens that we get one frost and then a mild spell for two or three weeks. With a little extr care the summer vegetables and salads may be prolonged for some tonesaving the winter stock, which is always more or less limited and has a long season to serve. American Blight.—This apple pest (Eriosoma lanigera) is now becoming much more plentiful than is desirable No effective r spray of an economic nature can be applied at this season, although the stems of the trees may be grease-banded in order to catch the species that descends to the roots to hibernate during the winter months. There is another form that spends its whole existence on the trunk or branches of the tree, and this must be dealt with during the winter season. From time to time numerous remedies are advocated, such as foreibly spraying the affected parts witn tar-distillate, winter Volck or caustic soda, and brushing them with methylated spirit or even creosote. 'Hie sprays mentioned are excellent, particularly in the case of lofty trees, but for treating cordons, epaliers and busn-trainea trees up to the height of about 10 feet, I know of nothing so useful as the flame of a blow-lamp, such as is used by plumbers and painters. The flame should be directed, by rapid movements, on to the affected parts, each part being visited several times, until the insects are completely destroyed, it is well-known that apple canker (Nectria galligena) invariably follows an attack by woolly aphis. It is essential, then, that this pest should be kept under control. Kainit sprinkled heavily on the soil beneath the trees, close up to the stems, has insecticidal properties, and the potash it contains is of much benefit to the trees. _ Strawberries.—The planting of strawberries should be completed without delay so that the plants may become established before the cold weather sets in. Plants set out now should not be allowed to bear fruit next season, but if de-flowered immediately the flower trusses can be seen, they will form good, big plants to fruit the following season. When de-flowered, they generally produce early stolons and Playlets, which will prove to be of the greatest service where strong, young plants for forcing are required. Remove the stolons from established plants, and frequently stir the soil about them with the hoe or cultivator. There is nothing so conducive to the healthy growth of plants as the frequent stirring of the soil, particularly during dry, sunny periods.

NATIVE PLANTS THE HAUMAKAROA Of rich olive green, big leaved conspicuous plants. Nothopanax simplex, the haumakaroa merits attention as a garden specimen if for no other reason than the series of changes through which the foliage of the young plants pass. It is a small tree which occurs throughout North and South Islands and on Stewart and Auckland Islands from sea level to 4000 feet. The flowers are inconspicuous, being small and greenish-white in colour, but few evergreens compare in character with a well-balanced specimen placed in a moist, partially-shaded situation, where it can display to advantage its long, narrow and deeply-cut leaves.