ON THE LAND

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 11, 8 March 1930, Page 3

ON THE LAND

(By "KOWIIAI"). ■

IX STEATFOIiD AND DISTRICT.

Every day now spaces are- occurring in the garden, for many sum-'mer-flowering annuals are over. .Every chance should be taken to plantr spring-flowering Imlbs, for they give a much better retwrn of flowers when they larei planted early. This early planting gives them a chance to ' make strong root growth before the winter sets in.

We could not do without flowering bulbs in our spring gardens, especially the early one such as narcissus (seloil d'or), Chinodoxa, suowflakes, and grape hyacinths.

I Freesii.s, laehenalias anemones, I crocuses, scilla (wood hyacinths), tuilips. sparaxis, hyachints, Spanish i and 'hitch treses, toribonias, hoop [petticoats (narcissus bulbocodinm), ! ibabiacnas, rr'nuneuluso, ixias, all 'have their placss. All are lovely, land one feels, s : 9 each appears in due season, that the garden without soring-flowering bulbs would not he a; garden. Anemones have a long flowering \ season, and should he planted as soon as possible. They like light, I rich well-drained soil, and a sunny , position! NYjreissus bulbocodinm (hoop petticoat Hikes sandy soil rich in humus, nn<l. a warm, sheltered, seini»>haded spot in the garden. It is I oue of, the most delightful of bulbs for a rock garden, and it flowers with the lovely little dwarf forgetI me-nots, and with grape hyacinths. J Ranunculuses, give a wonderful I show of blooms and are in flower for a long time. They must be planted- early if they are to grow into fine plants. There are several varieties; obtainable-r-French, Persian, (Turban, and Asiiatious superbus. The last-named is a fun* race, and the large semi-double Howlers are brilliflvt in their colouring. Tulips are much more hardy than ' mjasnpr pbople think. Jindecd they are very hardy, and so modest, in ltheri,r> ,rej moments that mo gairden need be without! them. Provided that the. soil is well drained, and not over rich, and the position fairly, sunny, they grow and flower well. They nieed not be lifted every yeolr, every third or fourth year being often enough. Tulips are evry satisfactory both for the garden and fo ; - picking for the house, for the blooms keep fresh for a long time. Now how lovely the blooms #re! In colour they range from the daintiest of deli- , cate shades to rich warm ones, that j are abscJluteV brilliant. They air© \ stately v too, and a few good clumps of them in a garden are good to ; see. SnowhVjkes will grow in sun or in

j shade, and in any soil provided it has been well dug. Crocuses like light, rich soil, and shallow planting. They should be plamted in a sunny place in hold drifts o>:' clumps to get the best effect. Freesias like a warm, sheltered position, and well-drained soil. Heavy soils should he deeply dug, and should have plenty of. well-decayed garden rubish buried about a. loot below thiei surface. This helps the top soil to bo better drained and therefore warmer. As soon as. the blobs arc planted, :>} layer of welldecayed manure may lie spread over the surface. Grape hyacinths (muscar) are so hardy that they will grow in any well-dug soil, and it does not marttcr lo them whether they are. in sun or shade. In a. shaded, or semishaded place the stemsj are longer. Blubs increase s<> quickly that they have to bo lifted and sorted out every few }ears.

Winter naoniftesl like plenty of sand atnd garden rubbish in the soil. Blubs sboidd be planted about an inch deep in dirifts and groups, and the position should be a semi-shed-ed one.

Chionodoxa (Glory of the Know) in a charming little eatfy springbulb. The. flowers are intensely blue, and are very lovely when the blubs have been planted in long drifts or bold patches along the front of a. herbaceous border, or in pockets in a. rock garden. The The bulbs like to he planted frirly deelp, about six inches in a. light soil, and four in a. haoyy one. Bulbs increase very slowly by offsets, but, seeds are generally produced and en sily germinated. Spanish irises like a light, rich soil and a, sunny position. Established ibujlbs a|re tnljready making their roots, and where new bulbs are to be planted they should be got in as early as possible. Heavy soils should be deeply dug, .aurd should have sand and well-decayed garden rubbish added to them.