IN THE GARDEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1925, Page 11

IN THE GARDEN.

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. WHAT TO DO JUST NOW. Earth up growing crops, and hoe frequently to keep the weeds down. Thin out young onions, carrots, spinach and lettuce. Plant shallots and tree onions as soon as possible. Prepare ground for an early spring sowing of onions. THE FRUIT GARDEN. Plant and prune apple, pear, plum, peaeh, nectarine and apricot trees. Spray fruit trees with winter dressing. Trample the soil firmly around recently planted trees that have been loosened by wind. Fork the soil up carefully about gooseberries, currants, etc., and mulch with partially decayed manure. Plant lemons, and cut away any dead wood on established trees. EARLY PEAS. To have peas early, it is very necessary in the first place to afford a situation where growth can be steadily maintained in the winter and early spring-. A position against a wall facing north, where the soil is light and ■rich, is one of the best, and on this peas can be sown now with good prospects of success. If the ground in such situations is poor and shallow, the surface soil should be removed to a width of eighteen inches, a good layer of rotted manure or decayed garden refuse, then being worked into the subsoil. A little of the manure should also be mixed with the surface soil after it has been returned, but care nuist be taken not to use dung in anything approaching a fresh state. An already rich soil will require little improvement beyond deep digging, although a light dressing of rotted manure sandwiched in between the top and bottom spits would not be without benefit to the plants. The sowing of peas is an operation which comparatively few people take the amount of time necessary to perform it properly. As a matter of faet, peas should be planted, rather than sown; the seeds being put in singly in regular lines. Although the planting occupies a little more time germination is more regular, while the evils of overcrowding can be avoided. Early peas may be planted more thickly than later or main crop kinds, to allow for losses. With ■first earlies, the seeds should be placed close together, so as to barely touch each other, in double lines, allowing two inches between these. If light, gritty soil is used for covering the drills, there will be less trouble with seeds rotting. This constitutes a Source of much trouble in gardens, although, not infrequently, it is caused by over-covering the seeds with wet soil. When nothing better than this material can be afforded, not more than an inch and a half depth of it should be placed over the peas.

A WINTER WASH FOR FRUIT TREES lime sulphur solution. The lime-sulphur solution for winter spraying is probably the most universal one, its uses being legion. For spot, rust, mildew, red spider, scale and various blights it is unsurpassed. If can be used either winter or summer, the time of year governing the strength of the solution. The strong winter dressing will kill any lichens or mossy growths on the trees, also mealy bug, peach and apricot curl, various insects, etc. It is also excellent for exterminating red spider, or any of his kindred, these being sucking pests are not exterminated by the effects of arsenate of lead. For winter spray of roses and deciduous trees and shrubs the proportion is: One gallon of solution to ten gallons of water. For summer spray when the trees are in foliage the correct proportion is one gallon of solution to forty gallons of water. By the addition of qrsenate of lead to the lime-sulphur, solution, a mixture is arrived at which is .excellent for the destruction of codlin moth and leafeating insects. RED OIL EMULSION. This is a very reliable remedy for killing woolly aphis, red spider, red, San Jose, wax and mussel scales, but needs a certain amount of careful preparation before using. The pump barrels, etc., must be absolutely clean, as any foreign matter will prevent the oil emulsifying. One gallon of oil and the same quantity of water most ly mixed together by the aid of the spray pump, when frothy and creamy the required amount of .water must be added, and the diluted emulsion should be milky white with an entire absence of free oil or scum on the surface.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. GLADIOLI. No flower has ever attained greater popularity in sueh a comparatively short time as the gladiolus. Fox wealth and diversity of gorgeous colourings, as well as for magnificent markings they stand alone. Their cultivation is of the simplest, and the veriest amateur, with the exercise of a little care and attention to detail, may be almost assured of ■ success in his initial attempt at growing these beautiful subjects. The principal aim is to endeavour to get the whole spike of bloom to flower at the same time. This is a matter of difficulty in a warm, dry climate, but in this locality conditions are more favourable, and the corms should be planted in a rich, well-drained soil, and a mulching of decayed manure and leaf mould is a great'assistance to them by keeping the surface cool and moist. When planting the corms surround them with a little sand and place a stake close by, so that, the foliage can be tied up as growth proceeds. It often happens if they are staked later injury is done to the bulbs or off-sets. When approaching the flowering period they should, if the weather be dry, receive a regular watering, and occasionally a little weak manure will prove beneficial by increasing the size of the blooms and deepening the colours. When the flowering season is over, and the leaves are drying, the bulbs should be lifted and stored in a dry, cool situation. In frost-free situations bulbs ean be

planted now, and will flower in September and October. In colder districts a month hence is a more suitable time. The following are amongst the best for the amateur gardener:— “Miniwa.” —Pale pink, shading lighter towards centre, and blotched with scarlet. Large blooms and spike. “Renown.” —A bulb of the highest quality, of delicate colouring, being a deep cream, shading off to a pure yellow low in the throat. •* Aeroplane.”—An immense bloom, sometimes measuring six indies across, of a bright crimson colour with lighter centre. Unfortunately, not many of the flowers open at the same time, but the size and colouring of them atone for this defect. "Orion.” —A rich shade of reddish orange, with crimson streaks. It has large bold flowers, and grows to a good height, and is a good utility variety. “Tressa.”—Has a good long spike of well-shaped flowers, ivory white with yellow blotch, the throat being speckled with red. “Laddie Blue.”—ls of a violet tone, shading lighter towards the centre, the edges, of the petals being of rich purple flecked with white. “Orby.”—ls a beautiful bloom in a deep crimson shade, varying to a lighter tone at the edges, aniTis of the highest quality, and can be recommended for both exhibition and house decoration, the flowers being large and spreading in unusually long, graceful spikes. “Gertrude Errey.”—A new introduction. This beautiful variety is . among the very finest pink gladioli or show variety. The colouring is exquisite, being- a shell-pink on the outer part of the flower, shading off to white in the centre, wit'll crimson spots on the throat. The flowers are of graceful form, and well placed on splendid long spikes. ■'Golden Measure.” —Amongst pure deep yellows this variety stands out well ahead of all others, being a richer, deeper tone, and is of vigorous growth. Where depth of colour, large size and abundance of vigour are desired this variety will meet the need. “Iremel.”—Among gladioli up to show standard this variety, ill colour, stands alone. It is a glorious crimson, with a large cream blotch on the lower petals. The spikes are of exceptional length, j and enable the blooms to be displayed ■to perfection. ‘■American,” lavender; "Corry,” lilac blue; "Baron J. Hulot,” indigo blue; "Halley,” flesh colour; “Hilda,” red; “Peace,” lil'ae and white; and “Schwaben,” yellowq with purple blotch, are amongst many of the well-known varieties now widely grown.

TIMBER TREES.—We offer 100,000 this season. Secure well-hardened trees that have been grown on high country, exposed to all winds. See that your trees have good roots, and not too large a top, and have been grown on soil that is fairly, poor. Duncan and Davies, Ltd., Westown, New Plymouth. ’Phone 465. SHELTER TREES.—Order from a firm who have had long experience in shelter trees and have a reputation to keep. Massed production allows us to offer at a low price. We deliver free in New Plymouth and give 5 per cent, discount for cash. Our 112 page catalogue post free upon applicalion. Duncan and Davies, Ltd.. New Plymouth. ’Phone 465. PINUS INSIGNIS.—We offer 2-year transplanted forestry grade trees from 75/- to £7 10s per 1000. 05 per cent, guaranteed to grow. Duncan and Davies, Ltd., New Plymouth. ’Phone 465. CUPRESSUS LAWSONIANA. —Extra strong 2-year frees, 1J to 2ft. high, at £l5 per 1000; 3-year trees, to 3ft., £22 10s per 1000 ; 4-year, 75/- per 100. We guarantee 98 per cent, to grow. Duncan and Davies, Ltd., 'New Plymouth. ’Phone 465. ' . ; ■ ■