CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 300, 18 December 1937, Page 13

CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Dear Members, — I rather feel lost this week just what to say in my letter to you for I know just how excited you all are now that your holidays have commenced. I know that for many of you school days are finished and you will be going out into the big world to earn your living. My message to you then will be short and to the point. In this message may 1 bring before you the lessons you have learnt during your stay with the C.G.C. We have at all times reminded you of the care ami attention your plants need to bring them to perfection, the daily trips to your plants to see if they need your assistance. You have all learnt that to grow Howel’s successfully and well, your plants have asked from you your kindly help. Those of you who have given this to your plants have been rewarded with better blooms and so it is with your future life, it is that little daily attention to your work that will bring you your reward, not in better blooms but in better positions, hi every way, study the work that you are doing and just try each day to do it a little better; this will not only bring you better money but greater happiness; Not only do this, but in all your work do it with a cheerful heart and in every way scatter those seeds of happiness and so make other lives happier. Plant lite and your life walk arm in arm. Each needs protection, care and loving bands. It rests with you to have these always with you. And so to those of you who say good-bye to school days may 1 remind you of our motto —My Garden—My Happiness.—Yours lovingly, “CARNATIC.” Lis. Iliis week I noticed that three C.G.C. members have secured positions in florists’ shops. My congratulations to you. It is certainly very encouraging to find that the “trade” ‘has apprenticed members from our Circle, showing that the tuition they have received from the C.G.C. has helped them alon- the road.—“C.”

Dear Members, — I must write again to tell you of our Hospital Day. Everything went off w ell. it was a beautiful bright, sunny day; we loaded up a big lorry with all the gifts of flowers, fruit, toys, etc. Mr. Shanks came in his big motor-car and took Mrs. McElwain, Francis Clifton, “Carnatio” and myself to the hospital. There we met Mrs. May, Sybil Smith, Janet Stephens, Mrs. James and Enid. The Sister of the hospital took us to all the wards where we gave gifts to every patient; they were so pleased with everything. Some of the patients were out for the day so a parcel was left on their beds for them to find on their return. I must thank all the children and mothers who so kindly responded to my 5.0.5., sending in so many toys and flowers, some beautiful boxes were made up by Brenda Francis and Janet and to Mrs. McElwain for all her help, my best thanks.

The country districts were most generous with their contributions. Westmere, Maxwell, Brunswick atm Farikino sent in quantities. There were some cash donations with which we bought manges for the children. I found three little dressed d'lls on my window-sill; 1 wonder w.to left them? Thank you. They lookcJ so pretty sitting in the hospital boxes with sweets and eranges. I thank everyore who sent gifts and to eveevone who came to help in various ways. Wishing you all the co npi'ments of the season. ALNT "GAKUXMA.” THE ISLA MUIR MEMORIAL CUP. The executive of the C.G.C. have been pleased to accept from Mr. and Mrs. A. G. W. Muir a handsome cup in memory of their daughter Isla, who passed away on September 17. This cup will be known as “The Isla Muir Memorial Cup” in loving memory of our deal little friend and will be for competition amongst the C.G.C. members. Mr. Muir has kindly left the arrangements for the competition for this cup in my hands and so I am going to ask for suggestions from our many members. This handsome cup will be on view at the Wanganui Suburban Horticultural Gladioli Show in January. May this cup always remind us of our loving friend Isla Muir. DONATIONS Dorothy Healey, 2s. APOLOGY. I regret omitting mentioning the splendid collection of toys and beautiful flowers sent in by the Fordell SchvOl for Hospital Day. Many thanks to you all.

LETTERLAND. “SPRINGTIME.” Growing your dahlias for show purposes necessitates a lot of thinning, all weak shoots should be cut away. Go over the plant once a fortnight and cut out all weak laterial growth so as to allow air and light to enter the plant. As the buds develop in the terminal shoots, the laterals are busy lengthening in readiness to fill the breach left by the spent flowers. Watch these closely and see that they get elbow room. To disbud successfully, you must know your varieties and be able to say when the buds are big enough to cut away. Disbud a little late, rather than a little early. Let the cluster get well into shape before pinching one bud away. As a rule, leave the centre bud to carry the flower. Ee sure the bud you select is plump and sound and not in any way grub-eaten. Should it be faulty select another bud. Use a sharp pen knife for disbudding operations. Perfect blossoms are not the result of chance, much preparation and attention is required. Begin to shelter the blooms about twelve days before the date of the show. A piece of wool tied around the stem will help check the insects from marching up the stem. Feeding should not be given until the plant is well on the way and the first buds make their appearance. Liquid cow manure, diluted with water is splendid. Be sure and keep the soil open but be careful not to injure the roots. Lyall Agato.—Kindest regards to all members in your district. Your teacher is very keen and I hope you have all enjoyed our circle. “Snowdrop.”—Pleased to hear you arc still enjoying your stay with the Circle. I will be in your district in January and hope to meet all members. Many thanks, Dorothy, for your donation to Hospital Day. We all miss Isla very much and I am sure you will also. Mr. Muir has presented a beau-

tiful cup to the C.G.C. in memory of Isla. “Pink Blossom.”—I hope to see your garden on my next visit to Taihape. We have some very keen members in your district and I often hear about many little kind acts they are doing. “Water Lily.”—lt was certainly very kind and thoughtful of you to send your flowers to lhe relatives of those little Maori boys. I do think your little band are very enthusiastic. Gilea is an old-fashioned flower introduced in England in 1826. They are hardy annuals and the seed should be sown where intended to flower, thinning out the seedlings to three inches apart. “Miss New Zealand.”—Unfortunately I was unable to secure the plants for you so will write about it to you. Glad to hear your branch is progressing so well. Hope to pay your district a visit early in the New Year. Your garden must look a picture.

LUSCIOUS MELONS Watermelons are not quite as tender subjects to grow as rock melons, but, nevertheless, they will not stand treatment of too rough a nature. One of the chief requisites is a location where the season is long enough to mature the crop, and they should not be sov/n on the same piece of ground two years in succession or trouble will soon be experienced with the melon wilt. The soil best suited for watermelons is cf a light sandy nature, and planting should be on hills spaced six feet apart. Two or three good shovelsful of well rotted manure should be added to each hill and thoroughly mixed with the soil before sowing seeds or putting out lhe plants. If seeds are sown direct into the ground, five or six should be enough for each hill, the surplus plants can be thinned out when lhe seedlings are up.

Once the vines start to run, avoid moving or turning them; it is a good plan to use small wooden pegs to keep the vines from being shifted by the wind, and the sunniest position possible should be given them. Almost any kind of soil suits the preserving or pie melon and these are easily grown in the same manner. These varieties are usually enormous croppers and the fruit is valuable for jam making.