Amateur Gardener.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 8, 14 February 1914, Page 4

Amateur Gardener.

SEASONABLE HINTS,

By "AOTEA." v

All seed-sowing and planting recommended last week, if not. already done, should, be completed without delay. Routine work is of a very similar character, and'should not be neglected. Evergreen hedges may now be cut; if left long after _ i the growth is completed it becomes hard, "** and is more laborious to cut. SPRING-FLOWERING BULBS. Spring-flowering bulbs claim'special attention at this season. The work of lifting should have been done ere this, but the holiday time, now past, has no doubt in many cases delayed this work. & The Daffodil. The most important of • these spring flowers, the narcissi, or, to use the more popular- term, the daffodil, claims our first attention. These should have been lifted as soon as the foliage became flaccid and yellow, dried in a shady place, and cleaned of all old roots, etc. All offsets that come away readily without tearing the biilb should be taken off, and, with the small bulbs that, are unlikely to flower the - following season, liried Out in the vegetable garden : to grow *•<" to flowering size. In planting clumps.in the flower borders, choose ground that has been well manured last year or for a preceding crop: Dig a hole large enough" for a good-sized clump without, crowding the bulbs, which should have a space be* -,1 tween them of three to four inches, according to the 'size of the variety. They will not then become unduly crowded if "•eft undisturbed for three years. Benefit of Replanting. \ ' Most varieties' are benefited by j J replanting after the expiration of that term. Jf it is thought necessary t to apply any manurial aid, "£* bonedust or basic slag is the best agent for the purpose—either can be used at the —,' rate of four ounces to the \square yard, - and will not do any harm if used up to double that quantity. It should be forked 'into the soil that will be immediately. , 1 loosening it up to a fair depth. The soil should not be wet, and - it will be better to lightly firm the ground afteT forking, so that the bulbs will not A te„ placed in too loose soil. ." Depth of Soil. .According to- the size of the bulb, it 'should have two -inches ~ and "a- ,! half to three inches and a-half of soil above the bulb, not counting the elongated-neck which some varieties have. , In light soil tq.plant a ' i little deeper. Some ? varieties seem to f t 'riieed, a little different' treatment as to Maximus and M. J. Berkeley

flowei better if planted two inches deeper than the average, and I have found that Glory of Leiden flowers much more freely and with finer blooms if planted shallow—having not more than two inches of soil above the bulb. !■■.■'. Indispensable Varieties, The question of depth no doubt applies in some degree to other varieties, so should any particular sort not. do as well as it should, a change of depth might be tried. Some of the old varieties notably Emperor, Empress, and Barrii Conspicuus, are , still indispensable; but, now that many of. the newer or what iiave been expensive sorts are getting more plentiful and reasonable in price, a few should be added to the garden yearly, relegating some of the less desirable sorts to the orcharcr~MoT : vegetable garden for cutting purposes. > A Good Investment. "" Two or three shillings for a good distinct variety that has the qualities that fit it for garden decoration, and that is an advance on older sorts is a good investment. As plants go, the daffodil is one . of the most accommodatingit will go on, like the brook, practically for ever if given the least encouragement. • " 1 to Buy. : The following 25 Varieties would form a very -fine collection. It in- i eludes representatives from all the:| principal", divisions, the prices varying from 6d up to 3/- per bulb as priced locally, the average being a little less than 1/2 each:—Trumpets—King Alfred, Golden Bell, Coronet, Mdme. de Graaff, Glory of Leiden. Large Cups— Artemis, Plaihbeau, Seneschal, Gloria Mundi; Lucifer. Small Cups—Albatross, Seagull, Zenith, Southern Star. Leedsii—Ariadne, Bianca, White Lady. Pdeticusr—Horace, Rhymster, Dante, Cassandra. Triandrus Hybrid—Bennett Poe. Plenipo. Poetas—Starlight. All these varieties are distinct, good, garden plants, and were high priced when first introduced. Pot Plants. If', daffodils in pots or boxes are in request for flowering early under glass, they should be potted or boxed up now. | Good turfy loam, with a little sand and a light sprinkle of bOne dust, well mixed, will suit them well. Rich soil is a mistake, as in this culture reliance must be placed on the stamina and quality of" the biilb that have been built up the preceding season. Excessive leaf growth is a disadvantage; a sufficiency of nutriment to cause normal growth is the desideratum. The size of the" pot or box must, be m accordance to the requirements of the grower, but they should be deep enough ,to, plant the bulb well below the surface without having the base of- the bulb too near the drainage at the bottom- .of- pot or box. Five or six-inch pots will be found the most useful. * ' • ' How to Set Bulbs. Much drainage is 'not"' necessary; one - good crock over the hole and two or. three pieces round it-is quite sufficient, i Plant the bulbs fairly thick; If the i

i fingers can be placed between the bulbs I that is" ample space. It is not at all s necessary to cover the pots or boxes , with, sand or ashes, as is the practice i with hyacinths or tulips. If, after potting, they are placed in a eocl, shady spot, where protection from heavj-- rain can be given until the roots have taken possession of the soil, th&t will be all that is needful. When frosty weather I f.ets in' they should be placed . in a j frame close to the glass and brought on • as required. For Tulip Growers. The tulips will grow in any good medium soil that has, been well manured, with cow manure for A. well drained, sunny position is necessary. Tulips are the most gorgeous spring, flowers we have, and it is regrettable that they are not as amen able to garden conditions as the daffodil. . Two things that have to be guarded against are a waterlogged soil and spring frosts. The first can be obviated by drainage; the latter .will often beat us, but where there is a choice of position this should be borne in mind. If the quantity grown is not large some protection could be put-over the bed on nights that threatened frost. The bulb is. quite" hardy, but... tlje foliage and flower buds are very tender. Hail is another enemy that sometimes does considerable dam-.ige. . ..y.. • ' . Friable Soil Required. The bujbs.can.be planted at any time , now, up to the end of March. Do not plant two ttiick,\as the broad foliage needs room to expand. The bulbs should be planted about three inches deep, ancl, the soil should be such that will keep in good friable conditiou. There is such a large number Of fine varieties, and tastes differ so much as to colours, that it would be difficult to name a selection of varieties to suit all, Potting may be deferred for a time yet. A Glorious Species. The anemone, : A; coronaria, is the most glorious species of a very useful genus. The St. .Brigid; strain is the most popular, the flowers being of large size and of brilliant colouring, some rivalling its co-species, A. f ulgens. Tubers may be .planted from "now on until the end of April,, which.-will give a longer succession of flowers. Care should be taken to plant the crown side; up. I advocate treating this fine garden plant as a biennial, sowing seed annually.;-This will be treated fa due 'season. ' 7^ \ /". Double and White. Other spring flowering tuberous anemones that, are much appreciated are, A. nemorosa and A; apennina, with their double and -white,,varieties. "When orice established' they require very little attentiohy "and makei beautiful patches of blue -<or ;white in early.spring. They are easily propagated by. ; division. A fulgens, £he. scarlet wind flower of the' Pyrenees, is the most brilliant member ! of the familyj ; it is perfectly harjdy, but shpuhipbe .planted in, a ;warm ! sunny .spot. In some soils that #ire. wet, during the resting period it is best' to

take up and dry thoroughly in. the sun, and replant in the autumn. It might be well to place a sheet of glass over the clump during summer to ensure dryness—l have not tried this, but think it should answer. Our remarks on spring flowering bulbs will be continued next week. SOME GARDEN ROSES?, Some good garden roses that are not sufficiently knows are; — Laurent Carl. —The colour is brilliant velvety carmine, of large size and good form, opening well and continuing in bloom over a long season. It makes a handsome plant, and as far as I have seen is mildew proof. Very Floriferpus. Frau Ernest Borsig. —In colour and form it is somewhat like Madame Jules i Grolez, but better. It is very floriferous, and makes a good plant free from mildew. " > One of the Rssfc Louis, Tarboreich.—ls one of the best. of garden roses. The colour is hard to describe, a mingling of rose and cream with a violet shading, is somewhat near the mark. It makes a handsome plani with fine foliage, on which I have never seen mildew even in a bad season-* It flowers plentifully and continuously, and is first-class for cutting.

A First-class Sort. May A. Lippiatt.—This was raised by a well-knpwn Auckland nufseryiman. ft is a'first-class rose, of large size 1 and full and very free. Good both iii . summer and- autumn, it is ofqvery vigorous growth, and makes a good garden plant. It is occasionally attacked with mildew, but not at all badly. The r colour is a rich crimson with a 'shade of rose. i ' '. Profuse Blooms. s.Madame Segond Webber.—-Is one of those tare roses that are equally good for the* garden as for exhibition. The colour is light rosy salmon, quite a new and distinct shade. The flowjers are of the largest size, of good form and refined outline; it is most floriferous. The flowers are held upright, and are produced in great profusion. This is undoubtedly. 6ne of our best roses. So far it has been almost mildew proof. •Of Colouring. Lena Schmidt ■ Michel. —Is a semidouble pillar rose of exquisite colouring, the, outside of the petal is rose .colour, while the inside is ; shell pink.,. The petals are large and massive. ,It is free flowering, while the growth is ideal for a pillar. Mildew Proofs Also.. j Sarah Bernhardt. —Is a good companion to the preceding. The colour is brilliant crimson- scarlet', the flowers are of large size and massive petal. It flow&jrs freely, in the v early summer And autumn, and is an, acquisition in any garden. Both these'have been mildew proof so far'. >"> m ■