CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 264, 6 November 1937, Page 13

CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Dear Members,—•-

1 suppose you are spending all your spare time in your gardens now; they are just a blaze of colour and cheer everyone who pass by. 1 often hear kind remarks made by people when they see my garden plot—it is very gay and I send many bunches ami boxes to friends and callers. There seem to be several sick members. 1 have written a dozen letters to them and 1 do hope they will be up and doing very soon. 1 must say thank you to the I’arikino children for the bunches of lovely Howers they have sent for me to take to hospital. It gives me a great thrill when 1 enter the Children’s Wards to sec the look of anticipation on their little faces when they sec my tray of posies. 1 let them choose their favourite flowers and colours. 1 was thinking what pleasure a kewpie or little doll would give to these tiny patients. Could we get some ready for December? Some of these little ones have to lay down flat on their back, so they could easily hold something small and light, such as a kewpie wit'n a pretty silk frill for a skirt and a little cap or bonnet with a piece of elastic threaded through so they could take it on and off. I’ll get a dozen ready—who will give one or more? They only cost a few pence each. We’ll give them on 4th of December just as a little surprise, eh? When you have them ready please leave them at the Chronicle Office in the Avenue and let me know who they are from, so that 1 can thank you. I’d like to take posies on that day, too. 1 know I only have to ask for your help. Welcome to all the new members; they arc rolling in. Did any of you hear the 2YA call for the C.G.C. birthday party. I wrote and told them all about our Circle and the huge cake to be cut, and at 5.30 a splendid call came over. Those who did hear it were delighted. The committee held another social evening on Tuesday; these gatherings are very popular. Several Westmere and Brunswick members came, and Mrs. Preston sang beautifully. We did enjoy her two numbers. If there are more sick members let me know, but we should not be sick this lovely weather. I had to miss a visit to a lovely garden on Thursday last because I had a dreadful cold; it’s such a waste of time to stay in. Now I must away, hoping to hear from lots of members during this month. , AUNT GARDENIA.

WHANGANII CHILDRENS GARDEN CIRCLE

Motto. “My Garden my Happi- 1 ness.’’ Objects 1. —To assist in creating and foster- 1 ing an interest in Howers and garden- 1 ing generally, thus providing a ! healthy and productive recreation. 2. To help in all efforts to beautify ’ the district. 3. —To assist in all charitable move- < ments by showing and having sym- 1 pathy,- and giving pleasure to the sick and suffering by gifts of flowers to ; hospitals and shadowed homes. 4. —To seek in every way to pro- ■ mote the welfare of the community • and to scatter the seeds of kindness. 5. —To foster good citizenship by I diligent industry, faithful service and I love of country. Membership. Eight years to 16 years, Is. Senior Membership.—l 6 years to 21 years, Is 6d yearly. Associate Membership. Adults, 2s 6d yearly. Full particulars from the hon. sec. Miss Janet Stephens, 1 Kings Avenue, Gonville. 'Phone 5336, or “Carnatio” c/o “Chronicle’’ Co., 'phone 3708. SENIOR MEMBERS! Bring your friends along to our grand social to be held in the W.D.F.U. rooms on Saturday, Novem-i ber 13, at 7.30 p.m. Admission 6d or ladies a plate. On October 29 a lively programme was drawn up by the newly elected committee for the senior members of the C.G.C. The nominated committee at present, consists of 10 members: Dorothy Smith, GWen Jones, June Howell, Francis Cooke, Margaret Conway, Nancy Laird, Patricia Holmes (hon. sec.), Tom Adams, Howard Cann and Ross Robbins, who sincerely hope to strengthen and awaken the interest in our beneficial movement of all young people over the age of 16. Mr. J. Shanks has been appointed convenor of the C.G.C. senior members committee and Miss Francis Clifton to represent the executive. The membership fee is Is 6d yearly and all may join between the ages of 16 and 21 years. In addition to the social evenings, picnics, sport visiting and other interesting activities will be undertaken. So for the present, senior members, keep In mind the enjoyable time in store for you on November 13. 'Phone Mr. J. Shanks, 4236, or Miss Pat Holmes, 2713, for further information. Yours faithfully, Pat Holmes. (Hon. Sec., C.G.C. Senior Committee). NEW MEMBER Hunia Spooner, Rangiwaia. SPECIAL DAFFODILS The committee of the C.G.C. have decided to purchase a supply of special daffodils, suitable for exhibition, and send them to members at cost price. These will be all good proved standard varieties and at prices to suit all. As far as we can judge the price will be 4d per bulb and will be I sold in half-dozen lots (named) at 2s per half-dozen. I will be glad to hear from any member who would like them. Members are asked to enclose the money for when making application. I can thoroughly recommend them and advise members to take this opportunity of securing them. LETTERLAND ! Miriam Luty.—Thank you for again : sending along flowers for the sick. : Your parcel will be forwarded on Monday—also card, etc. “Uncle Wai.” —Kindly leave photo at office to be attended to. Hope you enjoyed the C.G.C. party. Many thanks for your kind offer of seeds. Many little friends are asking about you. Could you send them a letter next week? “Golden Lily of Japan.”—We can quite forgive you for not writing after your splendid donations to our show. We are glad to find you so interested.

“Miss New Zealand.”—Have attended to your request for plants and hope to be able to forward them early next week. Glad to hear the cake reached you safely.

“Prancing Daffodil.” —Glad to hear that Elsie exhibited at the Taihape show and also met with success. It is a pity we could not form a committee in Taihape. “Christmas Lily.”—First I must thank you for the flowers. They were taken to the hospital on Sunday. You received a very nice prize from Mr. Beale. Glad to see that you and Tim are joining our senior ranks. “Red Tulip.”—So at last you have really written your own little letter. - The badges are 2d each. Sorry I did not see you when you were in Wanganui. a “Cacti.”—Very pleased to hear the * seeds reached you safely. You must prepare your ground for some daffodils as you will receive some in January. “Gardener Bill.”—I can sec you arc going to be quite keen about your garden. I will send you some daffodils in January. “Virginia.”—Yes I will see some bulbs are sent to you later. You must get some little ‘friends to join our big circle of gardeners. “Japonica.”—So pleased to hear you are out of hospital and hope you will soon be quite well enough to work amongst your flowers again. I am glad the cake reached you safely. “Queen Viola.”—Yes, I know how busy all my little friends in the country are at this time of the year. Hope all are well in your district, and thank you for the kind wishes. Joan Collier. A hearty welcome ' back to Letterland Joan. You should I soon have a splendid show of Iceland poppies. Hope, some day, to again visit your district. CHRYSANTHEMUM CULTURE Planting of chrysanthemums should be completed as soon as possible. After digging the ground, it should be made hard with a roller or by beating or walking on. Scoop out a hole about eight inches wide and eight inches deep and thoroughly mix with the soil some bone-meal or bone-dust. Spread the roots of the plant and firmly plant in the soil. Give a good watering and the next day loose the top soil about the plant so as to allow the air to enter the soil. Do not worry if the plants flop for a few days, they will soon pick up again. It is important to pick off any diseased leaves —for with chrysanthemums as all other plants, prevention of disease is better than the cure. It is advisable to dip the stem and leaves in a solution of lime sulphur before planting to prevent rust. This disease attacks chrysanthemums and at all stages of growth spraying is necessary to keep the plants healthy. Later you will notice side growths making their appearance. At the top of the plant • a little flower bud. Around this bud i at the base, three shoots are growing, i These three growths are known as • leads and it is on these that the I flowers for exhibition purposes are grown. The bud at the base of these leads can be pinched out. it will not develop if left, though it would have developed if the leads (the three shoots) had been pinched off. However, as it is in these three leads that you will find your best flowers it is necessary to watch them and see that no caterpillars destroy them. In a few weeks' time the other growth, ; that is, the side shoots other than these three leads will appear. These have to be taken off. On these three leads buds will form and it is from these buds that the best blooms are obtained. It will be necessary to place , three stakes (fanshaped) to each plant. To these three stakes the three leads must be trained as they grow. Do not try to bend the leads too much or they will break off. If you tie a piece of string to the stake i and then gradually pull your lead to . the stake every day or so you will . soon have your plant the correct shape. The stakes should be about six feet above the ground and the tops of the stakes about a foot apart. This r will leave room for your blooms when . full-grown. Keep the soil around the t plants nice and loose and give an oc- : casional watering. Do not give any liquid manure until the buds at the i end of the leads appear. If the ? plants are flowering not too well an . application of weak liquid manure . once a week may be helpful, though - really the manure is not needed until 1 the flower bud appears. Care must / be taken also to keep the plants e healthy by spraying and a search be made for caterpillars.