GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19668, 9 December 1933, Page 14

GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY

A SPLENDID NEW PLUM In their new plum, Laxton’s Delicious, shown at the recent meeting of the Royal Horticulaural Society on September 12 last, Messsrs. Laxton Bros., of Bedford, have introduced a fruit that will prove without doubt most useful for dessert (writes a contributor to “Popular Gardening,” London). This plum has been raised by crossing Coe’s Golden Drop with Pond’s Seedling, and it bids fair to inherit the diverse but excellent qualities of both parents.

It is a large late plum of purplecrimson colour, in shape somewhat reminiscent of Coe's Golden Drop, and its flavour is excellent. lam told that Delicious can be grown as a standard or bush equally as well as on a wall, but I recommended it for a wall where the space is available. lam assured that the variety is a heavy cropper and of healthy constitution.

AUBRETIA CUTTINGS. Though aubretias can be raised successfully from seed, the seedlings are frequently of Inferior colour. Even named varities depart from varietal characters in this respect, and usually are of unsatisfactory vegetable habit. With cuttings one is certain at the beginning what the end will be. The

colours will come true, and the plants have a habit of growth like that of their parents. They will root well in a sandy border out of doors if dibbled three inches apart each way and if the days are very sunny some slight shade is essential. If only a few are needed it is sometimes more convenient to look after them if they are set out in seed trays, making sure that the compost is very firm. Water must be given carefully, as any excess of moisture makes them liable to damp off. Cuttings may be taken now and again in the autumn. The outer growths make the best cuttings, due to their firmer texture; two and a-half inches is the best average length. If they are shorter they are liable to damp off. If longer the growing points droop and it is not an easy matter to persuade them to stand erect again.

PLANTING LILIES OF THE VALLEY.

An old and favourite flower, rich in perfume, the lily of the valley, is often sadly neglected in some gardens (writes “Lorna”). Frequently it is assigned some out-of-the-way corner, left to itself for years, and forgotten to such an extent that roots become so overgrown and matted together that the few flowers furnished are poor in quality. These lilies cannot go for an indefinite time without showing signs of deterioration, and nothing short of taking the roots up, sorting them, and replanting in good material, can save them. Autumn is the best time for planting fresh crowns or dividing old ones. They are best served when given a shaded or partly shaded place as the north side of a garden, and although common soil is often deemed good enough for them, loam, leaf mould, and rotted manure well incorporated will give better results. In the case of old crowns they should be pulled to pieces and the largest separated from the thin and small corms, planting the latter in a spot to themselves so that they can recuperate and become established. Once established, lilies of the valley benefit greatly if given weak applications of liquid manure occasionally, but for some reason not easy to understand these helps-by-the-way are little thought of. Yet what sweeter fragrance can one have among lilies than these give? When the bed has been planted and finished do the extra that will benefit them greatly—viz., cover with a coating of fine leaf mould. No better mulch can be given them.