THIS WEEK’S GUIDE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 194, 15 August 1936, Page 13

THIS WEEK’S GUIDE.

THE FLOWER GARDEN A sowing of Sweet Peas can be made under glass. One seed in each pot is best. The soil outside is too wet and cold for much planting of seedlings or small plants. The Planting of Roses, ornamental shrubs and trees can be done. Trim hedges of Macrocarpo and other Jenifers. Plant Gladioli. The bulbs must be sterilised before planting. Herbaceous borders can be renovated... Carefully preserve the labels mid clearly mark the positions of the plants. Prune shrubs and fork over the soil around them, burying all old leaves. Protect Sweet Peas with some twigs and keep the young growths off the soil. THE GREENHOUSE Space will be limited and nothing that can be discarded should be allowed to take up room. Seed sowing is in full swing, but do not sow more than required. Watch carefully for insects and fumigate at first appearance. Carefully collect and remove any decaying leaves or flowers. Avoid excess of water. THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Peas that are a few inches high must be protected with twiggy sticks. Draw up a little soil to the stems of Cabbage and Cauliflowers. Sowings of Broad Beans can be made in cold districts. In light soils and in mild districts it is too late. Plantings of Cabbage, Cauliflower and Lettuce can be made. Prepare the bed for Onion planting. The surface should be free or lumps and the soil should be consolidated before the plants are put out. Plantings of Potatoes can be made. Sprout the seed in boxes before planting, it means a quicker crop. Plantings of Thyme, Sage, Marjoram, Savory, Chives and other herbs can be made. Rhubarb. Horseradish, Garlic, Shallots, oPtato and Tree Onions can be planted. THE FRUIT GARDEN Plant fruit trees when ground is dry enough. Cut out and burn all useless fruit trees. Spraying can be done as soon as the trees are pruned.

TREES FOR SMALL GARDENS It is a wise man who can recognise I the limitations of his own section. ! That is a statement which is never more than applicable than when deal1 ing with trees, for time without num- | ber, forest trees which will eventually assume massive proportions, are i planted in all good faith in compara- | lively small gardens. For a few years I they are no doubt delightful, but soon enough the time comes round when they begin to encroach, starving nut : neighbouring beds and borders with • their hungry roots, and casting harmful shade over the rest of the garden. • Such a state of affairs is the more i deplorable in view of the vast number | of ornamental trees and shrubs which i are really suitable for planting in ■ gardens of modest dimensions. The ' flowering almonds, peaches and pyrus, I which play so large a part in the j spring pageant of Howers, in them- ; selves constitute a great array. The ■ almonds arc the first to flower, the others following in the order listed. They are all trees which may be ■ planted in the most modest garden ! without fear of their outgrowing the ’ allotted space, and so long as they are assured of a well-limed soil, they will I thrive abundantly. On naturally limefree soils an occasional top-dressing will be required to make good the j deficiency, but apart from this they j require little attention. j Cercis siliquastrum, the rosy, 1 purple-flowered Judas tree and its pure-white variety Cercis siliquastrum I album, are both fine specimens for , planting in sunny gardens, but they i are not the easiest of subjects to i transplant. Their long, thick roots I are liable to decay if injured in any ■ way, and it is advisable to establish ■ them in their permanent quarters • while quite tiny specimens. This is i work that, should be carried out for preference in early spring, just as growth is commencing. i The June Berry, Amerliancher canadensis, derives its name from the • fact that its brilliant orange berries • ripen in that month in its native I place. The glistening white flowers ! may usually be relied upon to open ; during October, and if they are fleet - , ing there is at least the consolation I that they are produced in abundant ’ profusion. In autumn, too. its leaves 1 provide a splash of red as they change colour. PRUNING VINES EARLY WORK NECESSARY I A mistake very frequently made by ! amateurs is leaving the vine pruning ! till the end of the winter. The sap in | the vine commences to rise with the i first spell of spring weather, and if • pruning is not done soon enough for the wounds to heal over before this the result is “bleeding.” Just how serious bleeding is to a vine, and what the effect on a crop, is difficult I to say; but if very serious the amount I of sap lost by one vine will run into | pints, and it is not unusual to find the ! soil immediately below the wound I quite moist from the exuded sap. ! Pruning should be undertaken as soon I as the leaves have fallen, and in the ■ case of under glass and sheltered j vines if can be done before every leaf I is off, but in any case it should be i done as early in winter as posible. ’ PLANT ROSES AND FRUIT TREES I The present is the time of the year t when any additions to the fruit trees I or roses should be made. The importance of these two subjects cannot be ‘ over-estimated, and every garden should have some, even if some of ; 1 he annual flowering plants have to I be eliminated. Many consider that, | having bought their trees, the only I other requirement to cause them to . bear fruit or fragrant roses is to dig I a hole somewhat less in depth than a j post hole, but similar in other dimensions, push the roots into the hole, I and replace the soil and return in a few months for the harvest. This ■ system may be correct for a favoured i few, and very few. but it is not many who wish to buy trees every year. As these two subjects, if properly planted, i will last and give a return for a 1 number of years, it is worth while i to be a little more particular in the J preparation of the ground than if it i were something which would be j thrown away as soon as the flowering

i THE BANKSIAN ROSE 1 Rosa Banksiae, so named after Lady ;Banks, is a native of China, where the ' double white aad double yellow forms have been in cultivation for hundreds of years. Although the individual blooms are small, being about an inch across, they are borne in such profusion that a well-flowered plant is simply one mass of bloom. I This rose has one good characteristic, ana that is it is practically without, thorns. Why the Banksian rose is not planted more frequently is due probably to its being old-fashioned. The Banksian rdse needs a position in full sun and in such a position will easily reach a height of 30 feet for covering or climbing over tall tree stumps, pergolas, summer houses, or even clambering up among the branches of an old pine tree it is ideal. In such positions it needs no pruning, but will flower profusely year after year. In more restricted positions where pruning is necessary it should be kept to thinning out of weak and dead wood. The flowers are borne on thin laterals produced on whip-like growths made the previous season, so if pruning is necessary it should be done as soon as the flowering period is over and consist of cutting hard back old wood, so as to produce these whip like growths. THE NECESSITY FOR MANURE Plants or crops do not feed on soil, they do not eat it. It is not food for them, but simply the larder which contains it, and if you do not keep this larder replenished crops languish; while weeds you must regard as robbers of the larder, for they live on the same kind of food as useful crops do and, if permitted, will take the best share. Hoeing the ground on warm, sunny days makes the crops grow. By hoeing, the warm air resting on the surface is admitted to the moisture below, the roots move more quickly in consequence, appropriating the food supplied, with that already stored in the larder—the earth. PINKS FROM SEED I Kock and border pinks which bear single and semi-double flowers in white, rose, crimson and intermediate shades are charming summer blooming plants for the rock garden and border edgings. Seeds of named sorts may also be purchased. If sown now in boxes of soil in a warm greenhouse, good plants will be available for | planting out in November where they I are to remain. These plants, which grow very quickly in a well-drained soil, will make fine progress by the autumn and bloom profusely the following summer. *■' PROTECTING BORDER PLANTS | Lupins, delphiniums and a few other i hardy border plants generally start into growth in August if the weather is mild. The young shoots are liable to damage by slugs. They may be protected by covering the base of the plant with ashes. Great care should, however, be used to see that the ashes are not fresh, or the young shoots will probably be killed. The ashes should have been exposed to the atmosphere for several weeks before use. Sharp grit will also answer the same purpose, with the added ad- • vantage of- not being dangerous to the > plants. I WINTER SPRAYING | Most varieties of deciduous trees and shrubs become infested with moss, lichens, and other parasitic growths which give them an unsightly appearance besides affording a suitable harbour for insects in the chrysalis and egg state. The caustic alkali solution is the best for treating their injurious and unsightly pests and making the bark clear and clean. To make 10 gallons weigh out lib of caustic soda, place in a benzine tin or bucket half filled with water, well stir until dissolved, and dilute to 8 gallons; Next dissolve 101 b of nitrate of soda in 2 gallons of water, and when quite dissolved add to the prepared solution. Well stir until thoroughly mixed when it is ready for immediate use.