GARDEN NOTES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 145862, 22 June 1917, Page 4

GARDEN NOTES.

THE AVEEK’S AVORK. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

Planting, pruning and spraying fruittrees should bo done now. Digging and trenching are the chief operations on the ground at the present time, as the weather permits. Clean up all rubbish, and either burn or bury. It does not pay to grow weeds to dig in as manure, but .all that can bo collected can he used for this purpose. This does not apply to perennial weeds such as docks, sorrel, oxalis, etc. These should be collected and burnt. No vegetable matter, whatever Its origin, should be lost or thrown away. Burnt, it is a source of potash, ami, buried to decay, will produce humus. AVhencver the ground is fit the hoe should be put between any growing crops, hut do not attempt it when the ground is very wot.' Clean up tho asparagus beds, being careful to remove all seeds. Look over any stored potatoes, etc., and remove any showing signs of decay. THE FLOAVEB GARDEN. Keep the hoo going amongst growing plants. Ayiiencver opportunity occurs plantings of pansies, sweet peas, Canterbury Bells, Nemesias and such like may bo made. Clip box edgings and plant new ones where required. Chrysanthemums are over now, and the tops should be cut down, leaving about a foot of stem. If the ground is required the old stools can be lifted, and either boxed or re-planted. Use a nice light soil for this purpose. The digging of herbaeeons borders and beds should be continued at every opportunity. The planting of roses and shrubs should be done as soon as possible. PLANTING R9SES IN SANDY SOIL. Tho rose loves a heavy, rich loam, but in some gardens this is impossible to secure. In such cases procure some good turf four or five inches thick. Dig out tho hole for tho rose, and plaoe in tho bottom of it a pice© of tho turf, grass side down; with a spade' chop this up a, little, and then tramp it firm. Spread a thin layer of earth on top of the turf, place the rose in position, and fill up with more of tho turf, chopped rather small, being careful to keep the grass side downwards. Tramp the whole firmly. A little cow manure, well rotted, will hind the mass bettor, but do not bring it into direct contact with the roots, STATLCE (SEA LAVENDER). Statice is the most beautiful of the everlasting flowers. The branching habit of the flower, and the delicate colours, make it graceful and dainty. If the flowers are cut at the right time and dried, they will last in the vases throughout the whole winter. The mauve variety is beautiful and retains its colour wonderfully. Young plants should ho planted in deeply-dug soil, and left undisturbed for a number of years. They send their roots down to such a depth that disturbance must necessarily break the roots and spoil tho plants. Tho time for planting is during the winter, or if seed is obtained it should be sown in tho spring, and the seedlings kept growing, when they should ho ready for planting out next autumn.

RHUBARB, Now roots of rhubarb may be. planted during this month and the next. Tho ground should first'bo well dug and' richly manured. The best rhubarb for owners of small gardens to grow is “Topp’f, AVintcr.” This bears during the whole winter at a time when fruit for pics, etc., is scarce. It is quite hnrdy, and the flavour is good. Plants that arc coming on now will be benefited by an application of the following liquid manure;—Three ounces of soot, and six minces of superphosphate, place iu a piece of coarse bagging or scrim, and then allowed to .stand in ten gallons of water. Give each plant a. good soaking. Remove decayed leaves from old plants, fork round them, and cover them with a mixture of decayed leaves and manure. If stable manure cannot he procured, work into the soil round the 'plants some honednst, and then cover with decayed leaves. Old stools of rhubarb may he lifted, divided, and replanted in new ground. Rhubarb should not require lifting and transplanting for several years. If you require to increase or extend your rhubarb hod. all that is required to he done is to cut off soma nf the side orowns and plant them, leaving the original stools undisturbed. You may transplant now; the sooner the better. -—Auckland Star.