CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 82, Issue 292, 10 December 1938, Page 13

CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Dear Members, — I would like to send my thanks to all our members who assisted Aunty Gardenia to make Hospital Day such a success. The flowers this year were of a very high quality and many members arranged beautiful bunches, neatly tied and well arranged. So numerous were the donations of flowers, fruit and toys that we were able to send gifts to the Hospital, Home of Compassion and Old Men’s Home. Many bunches of flowers were also sent to other sick people who were not in hospital. The idea of sending bunched flowers was a happy one, as the patients were able to have them arranged in vases, etc. lam quite sure that your gifts of flowers, etc., on Hospital Day were greatly appreciated by the inmates and many good wishes were extended to you all. Thank you, members, for your spiendid effort. Well, dear members, most of you are now waiting for your school holidays to commence, some of you are looking forward to a visit to the country and some to a visit to our beautiful cities, so perhaps I may add my little warning for safety. It always seems sad to me to read that so many lives are lost during our holidays. So many unnecessary risks are taken that I feel just a note of warning may perhaps save some life. This week most of us-have seen or read of the special effort being made by the Minister of Transport to bring before us the need for caution on the road. Although the motor-car each yeai takes a great many lives, most of us forget how many are lost by drowning. Please be careful to make inquiries when bathing in strange places and please do not try to be too bold, especially when bathing in the sea. A word to those of you who visit, the bush, too, be careful where you light your fires and do not destroy the young trees and ferns, and please remember to clear away all your rubbish, etc. Well, dears, I hope you will not think me too “old-fas-hioned” with my “do’s and dont’s. ” 1 only wish my little band of gardeners every happiness for their holidays and pass on my little warning so that after the holidays our roll call will be answered by all. Four friend, “CARNATIO*”

BEREAVEMENT Our sympathy is extended to two of our little members, Linda and Shirley Hill, in the loss of their father. NEW MEMBERS Rona Homes, Bulls. Victor Homes, Bulls. Helen Hicks, Parsons Street, Springvale. AN APPEAL FOR STAMPS Members are again reminded of my appeal last week for stamps for our little sick friend in hospital. The parcel will be dispatched to him early next week, so will members who have a few stamps to spare please sena them along immediately. BULLS DISTRICT It is pleasing to report that a branch of the C.G.C. is to be commenced in Bulls. About 50 lady residents attended a meeting of the W.I. when Mr. Cox, organiser of the movement, gave a very interesting talk on the C.G.C. activities. A talk was also given to the pupils of the Bulls School and many children were very interested in the exhibits that were on display. Further information about this branch will appear in these columns and information can be obtained from Mrs. E. C. Jackson, Bulls. CHRYSANTHEMUM CULTURE Every care must be given chrysanthemum plants at present, as they are growing fast and should be staked before these heavy winds do much damage. If a plant is not properly I staked, the heavy winds break many I of the little roots, so they are not able to feed the plant. ChrysanthcImums must be sprayed, and sprayed ’ regularly to keep the rust in check. Also look over your plants for those destructive little caterpillars, whicii quickly completely destroy the young shoots and so make the plant worthless to produce exhibition blooms. LITTLE HINTS FOR LITTLE GARDENERS Seed Sower. —A flat tobacco tin with holes punched in one end makes a first-class seed sower. Have two or , three on hand, with different sized holes in each. An even sowing of seed can be made with these inexpensive little articles. Garden Scraper. —Don’t throw away your old flat file. It will make a first-class garden scraper. Drive two pieces of two by two inch wood into the ground and saw a cut across the top and place the file into the cuts. Garden Hose.—Garden hose should be put away after use. A warm wind on the hose will do it a lot of harm. Care of Garden Tools. —Paint is a preventative; don’t forget that your wheelbarrow and sheds will last longer and look nicer if kept well painted. Always turn your watering cans, buckets, etc., upside-down after use, so that they may thoroughly dry out. After using a spade or any steer tool smear it with an oily or greasy rag. Always keep the rag handy in an old tin or box. Small Things That Count. —Do not leave garden tools out at night. Keep them bright and clean and it possible hang them up on nails or hooks — and always buy good quality tools—they are cheaper in the long run! Keeping Garden Tools.—A good plan to preserve garden tool handles is to bore a hole about an inch deep at the end of the handle and fill with oil or kerosene and stand up so that the fluid will soak down the handle. An application once or twice a year will give extra years of service to the garden tools. PLANT DISEASES Plants, trees and shrubs are to-day nearly all attacked with some pest or I disease, and the interference of these 1 often cause havoc to the plant life. ■lt must be remembered that in deal- : ing with all diseases “prevention is better than the cure.” A careful watch must at all times be kept and at the first sign of disease some form of spraying must be done. Spraying is not a cure, but a preventative. The diseases of plants are classified under two classes, viz., fungoid and insect Insect pests are divided Into live classes; (1) biting or chewing, such as caterpillars, codlin moth, etc.; (2) those that bore into the stems and live in them, such as borer; (3) insects that live by suction, but cover themselves with a protective covering, such

as mealy bug and woolly aphis; (4) insects that live by suction, but have the power of locomotion. They suck the sap from the plant and are green fly, aphides, red spider; (5) cineraria fly and leaf eel worm form class o. They lie between the skins of a leal and are to be found in celery, chrysanthemum and cineraria. Hand picking of the leaf is the only cure. As a prevention, spray with nicotine or tar water. Fungoid diseases are the hardest to deal with, as the disease usually has a good hold before being noticed. The wisest course to take is to prevent the disease, so all plant life that is subject to fungoid disease should be sprayed regularly. After any fungoid disease maxes an appearance it is difficult to control, as the spores drop to the ground and lie dormant in the soil ready to return and attack later. In damp, humid weather the spores quickly multiply. In all cases affected leaves should be picked off and burnt. Do not allow them to lie about as the spores will fall off and lie resting in the ground or on dead leaves and stalks av/aiting a favourable opportunity to return and attack. Bordeaux, burgundy mixure, and lime sulphur are the chief sprays for all lungoid diseases. Roses. —Roses attacked with mildew and leaf spot should be sprayed with sulphide of potassium, loz. m 5 gallons of water. Dusting the foliage and flowers with sulphur and lime, adding one tenth of arsenate of lead powder. Celery Rust.—Celery is often attacked by rust and when this is troublesome, spray every 14 days with 2-2-40 bordeaux. Tomato. —Spraying every 14 days with bordeaux mixture 4-4-40 will keep disease away from tomatoes. Caterpillars. Caterpillars play havoc to all plant life at this time of the year. Dusting of the leaves with wood ashes, soot or lime over the leaves, will help keep the leaves free from this pest. Dust in the early morning while the leaves are wet with dew. Leaf Rust.—Leaf rust is very destructive and the spores multiply quickly, spreading the disease rapidly. Spraying with 4-4-40 bordeaux or lime sulphur 1 in 125. BAIT FOR WOODLICE Poisoned Bran Mash.—One quart of bran, one tablespoonful molasses, one tablespoonful Paris green, one cup of water. Leave bait about where woodlice can attack it. LETTERLAND Rona Homes. —A hearty welcome to you Rona, to our happy band of gardeners. I am pleased to hear you enjoyed the demonstration. Your gift of bulbs and seeds will be posted to you. Victor Homes.—So you wish to join also Victor. Certainly and a happy welcome to you. I have arranged to have your seeds and bulbs posted. Helen Hicks.—A welcome to you also Helen. I think you have a sister in the circle also, have you? I wiil post the seeds and bulbs to you. Margaret Brooker.—Many thanks for the seed Margaret. I will pass it on to other members. I was in your district last Monday and Wednesday. You will be pleased to hear that a breach of the C.G.C. is to be formed in Bulls. Enquire from Mrs. E. C. Jackson, Power Board, for further particulars. Pat Chapman.—Thank you, Pat, for your kind wishes. I hope you will have a happy time, too. “Laughing Princess.” —I could sena you suitable little houses for your garden. The cost is 3d each, and Id postage. I was indeed sorry in hear of the death of Mr. Hill. THE BENEFITS I HAVE ENJOYED THROUGH THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN CIRCLE (By Meric Burbush, Aged 12 Years Wanganui East). There are countless benefits I have enjoyed through the Children’s Garden Circle, and I will strive to relate to you a few of the happy moments I have experienced on account of this helpful organisation. Can you not realise how delighted you would feel, if, on entering an invalid’s roorr, you noticed a little imp of gladness lash across the pale face when her rested on some tiny presentation box that carries deep feeling with it? Only those who have been through this eventful moment know the joy it brings, not only to the receiver, but the giver. This I think, tops the list of the benefits I

have enjoyed since joining the Children’s Garden Circle. Running a close second, is the thrilling moment, when you can proudly display to sister, an exquisite shoulder spray or posy, and to brother a litttle button-hole, which you can inform them when questioned you were taught by the Children's Garden Circle. Then there is the pleasure one receives from our garden, when the prize bulbs wc are given are once more in full bloom and then many a pleasant evening is spent in tending them. Once a month there is a little evening given to us by the ladies of the committee who strive to give U 3 an enjoyable evening and they always succeed, for one is always sorry when it is time for Auld Lang Syne. There are many other pleasures too, but I will allow some other person to relate these to you. THE BENEFITS I HAVE ENJOYED THROUGH THE CHILDREN 'S GARDEN CIRCLE (By Dorothy May, Aged 13 Years, Gonville). To many it may seem that the greatest benefit enjoyed through the Children’s Garden Circle is the receiving of free seeds. Admirable though this is, the receiving of the seeds is not the greatest benefit. To the more worldly - minded, socials may take a big part, but to me the joy of being a real gardener surpasses all. For it is a joy as all who have had experience, can certify. Flowers, leaves and trees are marvellous gifts for which we should be everlastingly grateful to God. There are hundreds of other benefits and happinesses that I can enjoy, and I shall start with one that consists of giving happiness to others. By now you will have guessed it. There is a delightful and peculiar sense obtained in the giving of one’s own flowers to the sick, which I am sure is a benefit to all. When you receive seeds, bulbs, and plants from the Children’s Garden Circle what a joy it is to plant them, to see them waken,- to hail them as yours, to guide them through life, and then to watch them burst into flower. And what greater benefit and pleasure can one have than to look upon his garden and think that with God’s help, and his tiny fingers, he has create; such a paradise. I might have discussed the artistic sense that is developed, the wonderful hobby that a garden is, and other things, but I will leave you to think of them for yourself. However, I shall mention one last beneficial influence. That is, the friendships that are formed and the companionship that is obtained through the Children’s Garden Ci r clc Some like parties, Some like the hunt, I like gard’ning, The best of the bunch.