CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 53, 4 March 1939, Page 13

CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

A HEALTHFUL RECREATION. Dear Members, It is long since Evelyn wrote “The life and felicity of an excellent gardener arc to be preferred before all other diversions,’’ and increasing years prove that the opinion is endorsed by the great majority of those who can afford the pleasure of amateur gardening. Vast has been the increase of the class who, by wholesome exercise in the garden add zest to its joys—who raise and cultivate their own flowers, plant and prune their own trees, and find as high a pleasure in the effort as in the result. Numbers who manage their own gardens are those whose chief energies have been, or are being put forth in entirely different fields. To such, gardening is usually a recreation after the toils of the day, or in the evening of life, and, as such perhaps we members of the C.G.C. may claim to be taking part in an active and useful recreation. Gardening is an allabsorbing hobby and the virus is most rapidly spreading, that those who are really possessed by this hobby desire to spend all the time possible among their beloved flowers. We who are privileged to appreciate the indescribable loveliness of flowers should encourage others to share our joy—and so to my many gardening friends may I ask your support in fulfilling this aim. Let us all build our Children’s Garden Circle until each land every child in New Zealand is flower-minded. The people of the British Empire have always been to the fore to give their intelligence and energy to the development of flowers. Let us young New Zealanders carry on this great work of gardening.—Your Friend, CARNATIO. Give, me a. seat and pleasant nook, Within my garden fair; 1 need no tale or story book For roses scent the air.

NEW MEMBERS. June Wenham. Somme Parade. Teddy Wenham, Somme Parade. Elva Wenham. Somme Parade. C.G.C. SENIORS. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the senior branch of the C.G.C. was held last Friday, February 24, in McGruer's. There was a fair attendance over which Mr. Cox presided. The last annual report was read and confirmed. Mr. Cox reminded all members of the aims and objects of the C.G.C. and requested members to always remember to support the main functions of the circle, such as the church service, the show and hospital day. Also the annual meeting of the society. The election of officers “are as follows: Secretary, Miss Dorothy Smith; treasurer, Mr. Howard Cann; committee, Misses Pat Holmes, Gwen Jones, June and Muriel Benson, Messrs. Boss Robbins, Noel Ruscoe, John Bulier and Donald Smith. The position of convenor was held over until the first meeting of the committee. A hearty vote of thanks was proposed to the retiring secretary, Miss Holmes and to Mrs. Maclay, convenor, who is also retiring. Mention was made of the good work done by both in the past.

Socials are to be held every third Saturday in McGruer's Hall. Admission to toe, members 9d on showing their membership card, which will be given them when they pay their annual si.b of Is 6d, and outsiders and members not showing cards, Is each. Annua ! subscriptions are due after March 1, an are payable to treasurer or secretary.

Listen, members! someone whispered to me that we’re to have our own C.G.C. orchestra this year. Won’t that be simply grand? As soon as possible a picnic is to be arranged, so watch out, members! We are havjtfig tickets printed for our socials and these may be obtainedfrom any member of the committee at Is each. Last, but not least, your new committee hopes for the best for all C.G.C. members in the coming year and also hopes to see a nice big bunch of new members. Don’t forget our first big social on Saturday, March 4 and watch for an announcement regarding the second social of the season. DOROTHY SMITH. Secretary. fordell flower show. Now members, what about a little effort on your behalf in the matter o. doing some show exhibits.

The Fordell Horticultural Society are having a show in the Fordell Hall on Saturday, March 11, and there are classes for C.G.C. members, 1 wonder how many of our members there are who will get busy and show the Fordell people just wnat we C.G.C. children can do, we made a wonderful job of New Plymouth as a body, can we appeal to you to do your very best and enter in at least some of the classes' at this show, it will encourage the Fordell members, it will help the show, and it will help the C.G.C., not for what we can win but for the love of flowers and the honour and glory. Here is the schedule and we shall expect to see some of you out there, now buck up and help "Carnatio” and his band of workers.

Class 161.—Hand bouquet. Class 162.—Buttonholes 2 (girls only).

Class 163. —Buttonholes 2 (boys only).

Class 164.—Posy. Class 16o.—Gift Box. Class 166.—Vase of Flowers. Class 167.—Saucer of Flowers. Class 168.—Basket of Flowers. Please understand that all entries must be in the secretary’s office by March 9, and the secretary is Mr. H. Campbell, No. 2 Line, Wanganui, also all exhibits must be in the hall by 10 in the morning of show. So children see what you can do and write out your entries and post them to Mr. Campbell with one penny entry fee, anything you want to know about this ring or call and see me and I will help you all I can. The penny entry is 'one penny per class. Cheerio for now, see you at Fordell. J. A. SHANKS, Hon. Secretary. SECRETARIAL NOTES. Wanganui East. Will the above committee through their secretary get in touch with me as soon as possible please.

Aramoho District. The daffodils are ready for distribution in the above district and as it is time they were in the ground, will Mrs. Adams please arrange for them to be collected and sent out to the children. Thank you. Country Members. All country members should have received their daffodils by now through the post and if there are any <rf you that I have missed please write and let me know immediately. District Committees. As there are lots of changes taking place all the time it would be a great help to keep records up to date if the district committees could advise me from time to time if any change of address of any of their members. It is our aim to see that the members are fully and accurately listed and also that the children are able to be got at any need there may be. J. A. SHANKS. Hon. Secretary. Dear “Carnatio.”

The idea struck me that it might be a good thing if we introduced the modelling of flowers in plastecenc with our members.

It is indoor work and would be the means of their gaining an insight into the formation and construction of different flowers and would lead to a class where I think there would be a good competition and display at our next spring show. I understand the cost of the outfit is trifling and that the material is cheap also. There may be some adult members who may be adept in the art of modelling, who could give instructions. I think this would take on and would add another feature of our activities. What do you think? “UNCLE WAL.” Well, members, what do you think of the idea. It would certainly train our eyes to the beautiful building of flower.—“Carnatio.” LETTERLAND. “Uncle Wai.”—Thank you for the suggestion. I think we can arrange tuition. Also thanks for the splendid assortment of seeds for our members. “White Daffodil.”—Your flowers were much appreciated. This week we sent them to the inmates of the Home of Compassion. You are certainly a busy little gardener. The seeds will be forwarded to you immediately. “Longing Princess.”—We have forwarded your request for a pen-friend to Australia and hope you will find another interested gardener. “Tuscastra.”—l am glad to hear that the members in your district have sent so many flowers to the sick people this year. Really I am proud of you all. And the joy of giving is as great as the joy of receiving.

"Scarlet Queen.”—We hope you will join our happy band of seniors, we are all in for a very happy year. Just pop along to their next evening "Pohurangi.”—Two splendid exhibition strains of pansies are Englemans Exhibition and Baths Empress. For giant flowers Englemans giants are about the largest flowers. Sow seeds of pansies and Iceland poppies immediately if flowers are wanted in early spring. "Water Lily.”—Yes, now is the time to sow winter-flowering sweet peas. They bloom earlier than the summer varieties and some splendid strains are now offering. As you have not prepared your ground I suggest you sow your seeds in boxes and prepare your ground immediately. Trench at least 2 feet deep and fill the bottom with old leaves, manure, etc. Time is an important item with sweet pea culture. Also the soil should be fairly firm. Also see that you have plenty of twigs handy for the young plants to cling .to.

HINTS ON RAISING FLOWER SEEDS, ETC.

Seed Frames.—For raising seeds and for wintering and propagating tender plants every garden should be provided with a frame or two. These are made of flat boards at the sides, and covered with a sash, on the top, and on a sufficient slope to let the rain and dew run off freely without dripping on the plants. One of the stock sashes made of skylights will answer admirably. Better than frames is a small glass-house; one can be built very cheaply to-day, and it will give you endless pleasure on wet days when you cannot work outside. Raising Delicate Flower Seeds.— The most important thing is to get good seeds. We strongly advise our readers to avoid low-priced seeds. They may or may not be good, but considering how little even the best

cost compared with the value of thfe crop and cost of labour and trouble, •we are quite certain it is not worth running any risk for the small amount saved.

Use earthernware seed pans or shallow boxes, say, four to six inches deep. Under no circumstances should tins or glazed ware ever be used for plants. A good soil for sowing seeds in is very important; equal parts of sandy loam and leaf mould, with a mixture of rough, water-washed sand. About half an inch of space should be left between the top of the pan or box, and a pane of glass and one thickness of newspaper put over all to prevent evaporation and maintain an equal temperature. If the soil was properly soaked previous to sowing, probably no water will be required until the seeds germinate, but as soon as the soil shows signs of getting dry it should be watered with a fine rose, or the seed pan stood in an inch or so of water, so that the surface will not be disturbed and made sodden or the seed washed away. Cover or shade the boxes or beds with paper, scrim, calico, or other suitable materials, to prevent the surface becoming burned and dry before the young seedlings have taken a hold of the soil. It is just at this time that we think most amateurs fail. Once the germ is started in the seed it must continue to grow or perish; an hour's neglect to shade or water just at this critical time with a burning sun or scorching wind or a heavy storm or an unprotected seed box the young seedlings die even before they show above the surface. The seed is blamed and the grower fails to benefit by the experience. It must always be remembered that while many of the commoner strains are very hardy, finer varieties, and more especially the choicer and more “highly bred" strains, are often week growers.

As soon as the seedlings show above the ground the shade should be removed, except during the hottest time of the day, or an extra bright days, so long as the plants are not damaged by excessive light and heat, and this is largely a matter of getting the plants used to it and "hardened,” the less shade they have the better and more vigorous the plants will be. As soon as the young seedlings are large enough to handle, they should be transplanted or “pricked out” two inches apart into shallow boxes. The soil should be deeper, say, four inches, and much richer than for raising seeds. Do not use artificial manures on plants till they are planted out in permanent beds. It is always advisable to choose a moist, calm, dull day for planting out. The soil should be given a thorough watering the previous day, and the holes should not be opened up until the plants are ready to go in. When planting, give each plant a cupful of water to consolidate the soil, and then very lightly hoe round the plants to stop the moisture escaping. We strongly advise amateur gardeners to secure a copy of Yates’ Garden Guide, as this book contains full information for New Zealand conditions on growing Bulbs, Flowers, Fruit and Vegetables, also Garden Pests and their Remedies. Price 1/-, post paid.