CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE
iDear Boys and Girls, —You all know what fun it is to have a party, so 1 am sure you will all be glad to know that the second birthday of the C.G.C. takes place three weeks from to-day. Now, dears, it has been suggested to me that we can all join in preparing the cake for our big birthday party. What do you say if we have an “Ingredient Day” next week—l am sure you will all be happy if you could add some little thing for our big birthday cake. (So I propose that •we all join together and supply the things necessary to make our big cake. Bome of you could briug along a few carrots, some sultanas, and, of course, we need eggs and butter. It would be a funny old cake without eggs and butter, so here is a chance for some of our country cousins. A friend has kindly offered to bake and decorate the cake so if each member sends along some little ingredient we will have a wonderful cake. The gifts can either be posted to me or left at the “Chronicle” office. Now, dear boys and girls, I think this is a great idea and 1 am sure you will all be happy to add your little bit to our cake. Now, dears, I hope you are all carefully watching your blooms and I want you all to help make this C.G.C. display an outstanding one. 1 can assure you we arc working very hard this end to make Saturday, September 22, a wonderful day for the members of our Circle. We have built some wonderful things, and you will all be very thrilled a. excited when you see our wonder- 1 ful show. And now dears, we will soon have the happy day with us. “ CARNATIC.” P.S.—Dear Members, —1 have just heard of a very kind action performed by two splendid members of our gardening club. Their two members “Red Admiral” and “Kiwi” hearing that one of our members was suffer ng with a broken leg journeyed out to her place and spent the day tidying up her gar- ■ den and preparing her chrysanthemums : and gladioli bed. I think this is a true gardening spirit and i am very happy and proud to think that we have in our Circle two such splendid members as “Red Admiral” and “Kiwi.” Thank you boys, for sowing the Circle seed of kindness. NEW MEMBERS. 512 Nariey Hope, 24 Tay Street. 513 Albert Harkness, No. 2 Line. LETTERLAND. “Busy Bee.” —Some time ago you asked for sonic seeds. Unfortunately 1 • did not. register your pen-name so I would be glad if you would scud in • your name again. Jean Williams.—l am very glad to hear from you, Jean, and to see you are still interested in the Circle. Yes, Jean, although you are now in Napier , you can still remain a member of our • Circle. You must tell us about the gardens in Napier when next you write. ■ Perhaps the library receives the “Chronicle” and if so you could read our notes each week, ‘Golden Lily of Japan.”—Your letters are so wonderfully interesting that I am going to ask you to write a special letter for the Circle.—“A Day in the Bush.” Thank you Violet. What an exciting day you had. “Golden Butterfly.”—We are always glad to see the interest so many of the older members are showing in tho Circle so we welcome your letter. Yes, “Miss New Zealand” is coming to sec our show and 1 will be pleased to introduce you. Yes, the daffodils are EARLY POTATOES SHELTER AND SUNSHINE. When selecting ground on which to plant early potatoes, advantage should uc taken of even the smallest amount ,of shelter. The ideal border is, ot . course, one well sheltered from the ■ south, but as fully exposed to the sun i as posible. Potatoes grow and crop on light soil much better than they uo on heavy land, and if the unly avail- • able hud is only the heavy side, the ■ best correctives are half-decayed leal ' oil, burned earth, and a liberal allowance of soot. The tubers Intended for planting should have been sprouted by now in trays, if any show the slightest signs of disease, discard them at once, and it is also as well to throw ! away any showing weakly sprouts, as being likely to be infected with virus ' disease. By such attention to small '■ details, a clean and ample crop is assured. Do not plant with a dibber, for ! the potato has to root into the ha id sides of the hole and too often there is ! a space between the tuber and the > bottom which readily fills with water, 1 to the detriment of the seed potato. , Number of Sets. ’ It is strange how difficult it is for » one who may nave grown potatoes for ■. years, to believe that he could get a L larger crop from thv same ground by t planting two sets where he has been > accustomed to plant three or often • one where he "has planted two. Yet . une may readily secure his agreement ? to the suggestion that the outside row , and the end root of the row will turn out heavier weights than any of the > roots m the middle of the plot. That 1 io simply because on one Side of these i plants the haulm gets unrestricted day- : light and fresh air. Open all out a bit and each will benefit proportionately. ) Few, if any, growers for home use can c be persuaded to plant anything so wide , apart as it would be wise to do. There t seems an irresistible desire to econor mise ground space, and pandering to 1 that impulse the home-grower fails to 2 notice he is being unwarrantably exr travagant with seed tubers. The far 3 more commendable and profitable 3 economy would be to invest in a r smaller quantity of the best sets pro--3 curable and give these 50 per cent--3 more room than is the usual custom. Specialised Fertilisers. There is no much actual proof available to to leave no room for argument r on this second point, and in many in--3 stances where potatoes are planted a 5 foot apart in rows two feet asunder it s would be of great advantage to the r crop to make the distances 18 and ’ 30in., which is more like 80 per cent, increase uf space than 50 per cent. 1 There are several good specialised t potato fertilisers on the market, and a 1 dressing may be applied at planting. - Superphosphate and potash are also excellent manures for this crop. The = manures are best broadcasted or sown 3 upon the surface. It is unwise to sow > them in the drills in direct contact . with the tubers. If especially severe f weather supervenes in cold districts it f is a good plan to cover the ground ] where the early potatoes are planted with some litter or fern»
very early this year and 1 am afraid many of the blooms will be over. Joyce Raine.—There has been a little delay, in sending your “glads.” They are now all ready for distribution so Mr. Postman will soon have your parcel. ‘ ‘ Mystic Maid. ’ ’ —Yes, dear, you may have the pen-name asked for. You are certainly going the right way to have a successful garden. A little bird told me you are very fond of gladiolas. Daddy is very good to help you. “Fairy Butterfly.”—l am pleased to hoar that you arc going to exhibit at i the September show. Yes, the big day is drawing near and a good time is in store for all of us. Thank you for the donation. “Silver Fern.”—Thank you, dear, for your welcome letter. You are ; many miles from us, but it is very pleasing to sec you still remember the C.G.C. Yes, Uncle Wai is well, and , as busy as ever. Nancy Hope.—Yes, dear, you may , become a member of our gardening ; club and I have given you the penname of “Moss-Rose” as you wished. If you call at the “Chronicle” Avenue office you wall receive a gift of . gladiola and seeds. You will soon have j a garden of your very own. Are you ; fond of flowers? A hearty invitation ( is also extended to you to visit our show on September 21 and 22. Members of the C.G.C. arc admitted free. Thank you for your subscription, J Nancy. “The Warbler.”—You have had a ‘ bad time, Calvin, and I hope you will - soon be •well enough to get out in your garden again. Plant your “glads” the first week in October and then you may have some to exhibit at our January show. Are you coming to our birthday < party on September 22? “ Scottikins. ” —I think all my little friends that have left Wanganui must ' have been thinking of the Crdcle this ■week, as I have received fouifc letters from little members who are now liv- 1 ing in other parts. Well, Jim, I saw 1 your Wanganui garden to-day and it ' is looking fine. Your little cousins are looking after your plants nicely. Now, Jim, how would you like a little garden in Auckland? I will see if I can find something for you at the bottom of my , big box. “ Elin Wright.—On looking over my register I find “Snowdrop” lias been previously claimed so will you please accept “Snowflower.” “Bonnie Bluebell.”—Owing to ill- i ncss I was unable to post the “glads” last week. . However, they have nowall been sent so I hope you have received yours. Our badges are nearing - completion and will be all ready on show day. I thank you for the interest L you have always shown in the Circle. “Isla Muir.”—Thank you, dear, for your splendid entry for the sugar bag competition. It is very nicely done. “Cowboy Jack.” —My word Billy, it t is a long time since we had a letter j from you. However, I know you still j take an interest in your garden. Sec you at the show. j “Kiwi.” —Well. Maurice, I visited your garden last week and everything | was O.K. you arc certainly getting g quite a collection o.f “glads.” “Golden Daffodil.” I am pleased .. you let me know about the “glads.” dear. Could you not come down on the Saturday for the show? I suppose you will welcome spring with open arms. } “Ukele.”—Yes, dear, Cutter or eggs would be very welcome for our stall. ■ Did you see my letter this week about r “ Ingredienty Week?” It was very good or Noel and Al'aurice to help you . with your garden. “Scarlet Phlox.”—lf you wanted to join our busy band of gardeners you | did the right thing when you sent your ■ ame along. Yes. Albert, you may have ( the pen-name. I will be posting you a j little gift for your garden and also extend an.invitation for you to be pre- ( set at the C.G.C.* birthday party on September 22. 'Thank you, Albert, for your subscription. “Crocus.” Well, little member, '] your letter is the last one on the list so I hope you did not think I had for- , gotten you. Someone has Io be last, don’t they Yes, dear. I will certainly call in and see, your garden Yes,,many of our daffodils are early this year. However, w«? will have a wonderful show just the same. SPECIAL GARDENING TIONOPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE C.G.CThis week 1 have arranged a special list of questions on “ Gard-ening.” This is to take place as our first series of competitions, and in all six compeliUoiis will be arranged. Members passing the six competitions will receive a special diploma. The first competition will be judged in connection with our spring show on September 21 and 22. All nicnibers wlio pass this first examination will receive free one corm uf gladiola (Mrs. ,8. A. Errey). This gladioia is one of the leading varieties and lias won more championships than any other variety of glad. Apart from the prize. I am sure you will all wish to pass our first examination on “Gardening. ” All questions have been taken fr.-rn notes that have appeared in the G G.C. column. There will also be a first prize to the winner uf each section, viz., 9 years and under, 12 years and under, and over 12 years. All entries for this examination must reach mo by September 14, sho that they may be judged in time for our show on the 21.st and 22nd. Write clearly, in ink, at the top of the page, your name and age, and mark all envelopes “Gardening Competition.” SPECIAL GARDENING COMPETITION. , 1. What is an hardy annual? Name , three. 2.. What is a half-hardy annual? Name three. ; 3- What is a perennial? Name three. ‘ 1. What is known as a sunny posi- ‘ tion? Name three flowers that prefer a sunny position. 5. What is known as a shady position? Name three flowers that prefer a shady position. 6. Explain briefly the following gardening terms: —(1) muleh; (2) - pinching; (3 transplanting; (4) liquid feeding. 1 7. Name (a) 6 spring flowers; (b) 6 summer flowers; and (c) 3 autumn ’ flowers. 1 8. State the average period of time necessary to elapse from the time of planting a gladiola corm to the 1 day the first flower appears. 1 9. State the depth to plant a gladiola corm—(a) heavy soil; (b) light soil. ’ 10. State briefly the treatment of 1 gladiola from the time the spike ' appears until storing of t'he corm. ■ 11. How many years (average) does it > take a daffodil to flower from seed? ■ 12. State briefly'how you would prepare drainage in seed boxes. I 13. State briefly (n) heavy soil; (b) licht soil.
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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 207, 1 September 1934, Page 13
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2,307CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 207, 1 September 1934, Page 13
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