CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 168, 20 July 1935, Page 13

CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Bear Members. — Next week I propose to give a short talk on dish gardens so that they may be prepared for our show. Everything is going well and we quite expect a wonder show. Another successful clas* was held last. Saturday, the subjects being decorated bowls and presentation boxes. Nearly 70 children were present and were greatly ini erested in the demonstration given by Mrs J. Shanks. Undoubtedly many members are very keen. I feel sure that some splendid entries will be staged at our big C.G.C spring show. The next class (which is free to all members and friends) is to' be held on Saturday, July 27 at the W.D.F.U. rooms. A competition is t be held for presentation boxes and these will afterwards be sent to the children’s ward of the hospital and the orphanage. Last week some members took their finished boxes to the Home of Compassion and they certainly took with them a “Germ of Joy.” \ “CARNATIO.” THIS MONTH’S ACTIVITIES Wednesday, July 24. —Card and dance evening, W.D.F.U. rooms. Saturday, July 27.—Floral decorative classes. Wednesday, August 7.—Shop day. NEW MEMBERS Mario Hiles-Smith, Brunswick. j Jim Hiles-Smith. Brunswick. Prudence Annabell, Ngainatapouri. LETTERLAND Spider, JVaratali and Autumn Tints. —Have not had a letter for a very long time. Hope you are all well. The Flower Girl.—Will post the pansy seed to you. You certainly seem to be taking great care with your seedlings. You should have great success. Hope your daffodils will not be too early for the show. You must try and come to the next one. Aquilegia.—A splendid report, Francis. We are joining Maxwell to your class, also, and a few members at Waver] ey. We have a beautiful shield donated for district competition. It is too late for daffodils now, however be sure and obtain some. Dish gardens must be growing. Ornaments, cither home-made or artificial, can be used. A fuller report will appear next week. Snowdrop.—l suppose you arc quite happy to got out in your garden once again. You certainly have had a bad spin. I hope your brother’ will soon bo well again. Kotiekohi. —Well, little member, I guess you arc very happy to join our Gardening Club. We send gifts of seeds and plants free to all members, so you may expect a parcel shortly. Did you enjoy the lecture on Saturday? Bullrush.—A hearty welcome to another little gardener. I am pleased to see you arc keen on gardening. You will see some beautiful flowers grown by the C.G.C. members at their show in September. AJI these flowers will have been grown from seed and bulbs supplied by the Circle. I will send you a little parcel to start your garden. Pink Heather. —There are different varieties of carnations and . each have their own peculiar method of propogation. If there is young growth on the flowering stalk, the young growth should be taken off and transplanted. Border (carnations should be layered in January or February. Cuttings could, however, be taken though they will take some time to make roots. I will explain more fully at the M.T. meeting. You could make some splendid things from sugar bags, such as aprons, peg bags, oven cloths, etc. Prudence.—The pen-name yen have selected is in use. However, we will try and find one for you. The subscription. was correct and I thank yon. A parcel will be sent along this week for you. You have some other little members in your district. Drifting Cloud.—Oh, dear, what a mistake I made with the badges. However, you could pass them on to some other little member. Will send the thrift along to you.

Wood Nympth.—Have notea your new address so will address all your gifts to it. As your glads will not be needed for our competition you could plant them now. Soil being light you will need to plant six inches deep. Most things do well on the pumicy soil. The descriptiini of your farm makes me feel like having a big rollicking holiday. GLADIOLI CULTURE As planting time for gladioli is drawing near I would like members to make preparations so as to be ready when planting time conies along. Those members who grew gladioli last year, will have noticed when lifting their cc-rms, first a number of little bulbs or corns at the base of the corms. Also an old shrivelled corm at the base. 'The old corm at the base is of no further use and should be pulled off and thrown away. The young co rm lots can be planted and when they flower they will in every way resemble the parent plant from which they grew. I will give you a few notes next week on the cultivation of these cormlets. Clear these off the big new corm, which is the one to be planted. Some early varieties of gladioli are already anxious to get back to mother earth again and are already commencing to throw up young shoots. As it is yet too soon to plant for our summer show in December they must be held in cheek. Keep them still in their snug boxes; one thing, however, is important. When these spikes arc showing, the corms must, be kept upright so that the young shoot is kept straight. If on examining the corms any are found to be diseased they should be treated to cure this disease. The disease is known as dry or brown rot. The cause of this is caused by using over-strong fertilisers, wet growing conditions or allowing the corm Io get damp after lifting. Generally speaking if given dry Conditions, the infected corm will produce a good healthy corm next season. However, it is advisable Io plant, it. away f’om any other unaffected corms. The treatment, is to soak the corm for 30 minutes in formalin (I ounce to 1 gallon of water). A solution of bluestone and water (1 in 100) is also recommended.