CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 13

CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Dear Members, —Last week I gave you a few notes about “mum” culture, so I will not weary you this week about them except to say that I wish to see all members try their hand at raising these plants from their present plants. Now, children, I have a few words to say about letter-writing. Firstly, I would like members when writing to sign both pen-name and their full names. Often when a request for seeds or plants is made and only the pen-name signature given, I have to search through my books to see to whom to send the gifts. This often entails a great deal of extra (or should I say time, for I do not consider it work helping our wonderful “Circle” along). Secondly, I would ask, when writing, do not use ink pencil. Either black pencil or ink is much easier to read under artificial light. Now, dears, you will be saying what an old growl Carnatio is. However. I know you won’t really mean it and I am sure you will carry out these instructions when writing when you learn that if will make my job a little lighter. You will sec we are just reaching the “500” mark, so our “Circle” is indeed a very large one. There arc still some old members who have forgotten Lctterland lately, so I hope to hear from all members before our birthday in September. There is not much work one can do in the garden at present except to lightly fork over the ground to keep it sweet. The pansy seedlings will soon want to be transplanted to their permanent beds, so I hope you are all preparing these beds to receive them; which reminds me, my own bed has been prepared to receive me. so I must be off. —Till next week, cheerio, CARNATIO. NEW MEMBERS. 48S. —Lance Foote, Raukura JETTERLAND. June Wilson. —Posted you a nice collection of seeds last Thursday, so I hope they have reached you safely. If not, please let me know. A gift of “glads” will be made in July. Heather Bell.”—I, too,have missed “Yellow Pansy’s” letters. Hope to see her return to Letterland soon. Our I colours look very nice and wc are busy i making them up.

Nita Gif kens.—l thank you for your subscription. Posted your gift of seeds last week, so you probably have them by now. Gladys Haar.—When planting your wallflowers make the ground fairly hard around the plants. This will make the plants more bushy and they wil 1 flower better. The seedlings can be planted out any time. They are quite hardly. Pleased to sec you have shifted your garden to a mure sunny position. Thank you fur the invitation. 1 will call if in your district. “Silver Birch.—Thank you for your very nice letter. Keep your stock seedlings covered these frosty nights. You could remove the glass for a couple of hours on line days. Yes, you can transplant your pincushin seedlings now. Did you receive the gift of seeds I posted you last week? Lance Foote.—l have enrolled j'ou as a member of the C.G.C. and we welcome you to our Gardening Club. Thank you. Lance, for your subscription. 1 will post some seeds to you this week. Some “glads” will be sent to you in July. It is too late to send you any daffodils this year, so will send you some in February. “Tui.’ ’ —T han k you, T ui, for the suggestions about the “clans.” I really think they will be a great success. Keep the soil stirred about your bulbs. Am glad you find the C.G.C. column helpful. “Daffodil.”—A splendid letter, Jean and beautifully written. Pleased to hear the success you had with the seed. It is always wise to transplant the young seedlings iutu boxes as soon as possible. This gives your young plants better rooting and keeps them nice and sturdy. Would like to seo “Tui” and you at the C.G.C. birthday party in September. “Xmas Boy.”—Will send you some “mum” plants when they are ready for distribution. Thank you for the postage. This is very thoughtful of you. The postage is a big item and if all members enclosed an odd slump or two we would be able to make further gifts to them. Margaret Taylor. —Pleased tu hear you are getting better again. I ain sure all the members will be giaa to bear your arm is well again. Are you coming to our big birthday show m September? “Golden Butterfly.”—l will try to get you some Oriental poppy plants. Thank you for your offer of the seedlings. The prizes won by you ut tac l“jnuiii” show have been sent to you and 1 am sure you will be pleased. J like your suggestion about the “clan’ 7 competition and if I can arrange for a cup or shield we will have ‘ clan” competitions. “Pixie.”—Very pleased to welcome yon back to Letterland again. The gladiola “American Beauty” is much demand for show purposes. The flowers are large with 12 or more open on a well-formed spike. The colour is deep rose, or rosy cerise, with a cream blotch on the lower petals. Will get Mine “mum” plants for you in. August. Could you call for them? 'lWank mother for her offer to make some of the rosettes. I will scud out the ribbons and a sample- one. Molly Lowry.—Yes, Molly, I have made a mistake with the pen-name. I would like you to keep it as you claimed it first. I wish yours to be “C.B. the First.” This will distinguish your replies. I will post you some more pansy seed, so 1 hope you have better luck this time. “Felix.”—The plant is called morphixia. It is very similar to the ixia. The flowers are soft red-buff in colour, and are quite hardy. They like a sunny position and well-drained, light, rich soil. “J.T.”—Yes, there is a dwarf nasturtium that is used for bedding and edging plant. It makes a great show in the summer. Very often, an odd plant or two dotted about the garden gives a pleasing effect. Water is needed to keep them blooming if dryconditions prevail. “L.M. ”—Portulacas bloom in the summer and autumn. The seed, being very small, must be covered only with a dusting of finely-sifted soil. Portulacas arc very effective when sown on little-used walks.

PEN-NAMES UNCLAIMED. As I have several enquiries for pennames, I have arranged a list of unclaimed pen-names. Would any member who has not received a pen-name select one from this list?—“Lavender Lady,” “Dew Drop/’ “Pride of Scot-

land,” “Goddess of the Lake,” “Prairie Queen,” “Golden Progress,” “Mother’s Pal,” “(Daddy’s Mate,” “No Mistake,” “Brilliant Butterfly,” “Kiltie Lass,” “Progress,” “Muffet,” “Pirate,” “Southern Cross,” “Falling Star,” “Slumber Gill,” “June Berries,” “Shepherdess,” “Snow Queen,” “'Little Self,” “Sugar Bag Bill.” “The Flying Scotchman,” “Dutch Pipe,” “Canary Creeper,” “Piccadilly Circus.” “Naughty Joe,” “The Ploughman,” “Baiuoudia,” “ Potcutilla,” “ Oxalis,” “Campanula,” “Genfciana,” “Little Gem,” “Armcria,” “Giant Stock,” “Early Bird,” “Lorraine,” “Robin Red Breast,” “Spring Maid,” “Quaker Maid,” “Rajah Prince,” “Meadow Lark,” “Song Bird,” “The Flower Girl,” “Venus,” “Winsome Lass.” “Morning Star,” “Red Prince, ” “ Lady Ru files, ” “ Red Boy,” “Britannia,” “Gold Crest,” “Smiles,” “Rusty,” “Freckles, ’ “Laughing Water.” FLOWERING SHRUBS VARIETIES OF LILACS. The common lilac is a deservedly popular flowering shrub, but there arc better ones in the family. It is doubtful if any others arc as free in flowering, but what they lack in this respect they make up for in the size of raceme and the quality and colour of the bloom. The present is a good time for planting, and although there are no fastidious requirements to be met, it is well to remember that regularity and profusion of flowering arc dependent on a fair supply of sunshine for ripening the wood. Keep the manure from actual contact with the roots, and do not break the latter any more than can be helped; root-breaking is a cause of suckering, and as most of the choicer varieties are worked on the common lilac or Persian lilac, suckers from the stock can soon overwhelm the variety. This trouble does not occur when lilac is worked on a privet stock, but growth is not so free. If care is taken against the suckering, lilacs are undoubtedly better on a lilac stock. It would hardly be extravagant to claim that the following varieties will justify themselves on every count by which merit is reckoned: —Mine. Lemoine is a beautiful double white, with remarkable powers of endurance. Souv. de L. Spath is an outstanding red single. The racemes arc held up well, and the colour seems untarnishable. Blue is not a colour one looks for in lilacs, since most blue colours arc corrupted with a red pigment. No charge of this sort can be laid against Abel Carriere. It is a true blue, though the blooms are a trifle stumpy. Mme. Casimir Pericr is a lovely shade of cream, and the flowers are double. A ciharming shade of light purple is available in the single flowers of Charles Tenth. NEW FLOWER BEDS New flower beds on the lawn may be made at the present time, or old ones turfed over as desired. If required, this is the best time to alter the whole system of flower beds. Other work is slack, and the soil is in working condition, so that any turfing or seeding can be quickly and readily done. If possible, each bed should be trenched 3ft. deep, and if the subsoil is not too good, procure sonic good grass turves —often the roadside will furnish these—sufficient to fill the lower 18in or so. Just a Gentle Hint. The two people in the stalls of a theatre were talking earnestly and completely ignoring the stage. The man immediately behind endured them for some time, but at length he became very annoyed. Leaning forward, he touched the man on the shoulder. “Excuse me,” he said with exaggerated politeness, “but would you mind repeating that last remark? I couldn’t hear it for the confounded noise they were making on the stage.” Tommy’s Way Out. Little Tommy was very worried. For rhe sixth time he had totalled up the sum, and for the sixth time his teacher had handed him back his paper and told him to try again. Now Tcmmy, with a hopeful look on his face, presented his seventh attemptThe teacher glanced at it and Smiled sympathetically. “I’m sorry, Tommy,” she said, “but I’m afraid it’s still a penny out.” Tommy immediately dived his hand into his trousers pocket and pulled out a penny. “Hero you are, teachei,” he said. “I’ll pay the difference.”