LAIRD & SONS' NURSERIES.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12435, 7 April 1908, Page 7

LAIRD & SONS' NURSERIES.

Planting; Time Again.

Planting time again. The cold wet snap experienced recently suggests an early planting season, and here let it be said that most plants thrive better if transplanted while there is some warmth in the ground — young roots are quickly sent out, and the plants become somewhat established in their new positions before the hard winter sets in. This ia a point worth remembering, and towards the end of this month is probably the very best time to get in evergreen hedge plants, or, in fact, all evergreen plants. Deciduous trees might with advantage wait till the foliage is off, which, should be from about the middle of next month (May)". Prospective planters will find it to their advantage to visit Messrs Laird and Sons' nurseries and look through their immense ritock of plants and trees for all purposes. Hedge plants will claim first attention, md nere will be found a fine line of the handsome, glossy-leaved Taupata — a plant which delights in a sea-wind exposed situation, and is quite at home in either sandy land or heavy _clay. Eleagnus Japonica has of late years come greatly into favour and makes a perfect garden or shelter hedge. Evergreen privet is another rapid grower — upright and dense-7-and if well trimmed makes a solid wall anything up to 12 feet in height. English laurel is still a great favourite, and certainly makes a magnificent hedge. Euonymus, escallonia, golden ake ake, Chatham Island ake ake, tree lucerne, etc., are all in demand in varying degrees, and are all stocked. Farm or stock hedges are always required and of these the barberry is the most in demand, though for certain localities -the African boxlhorn is much in request. In this district, where cold winds are prevalent, shelter trees are, of course, much wanted, and of these there is, after all, nothing better than macrocarpa, and good belts of these should be on every lairy farm. In very exposed situations the Pinus muricata *is just what is required — rapid-growing; dense habit, and branching well to the ground, it is at once the timber and shelter tree par excellence.

Of the gums most suitable to our climate there is probably none better than Gunii, which is considered to be the hardiest of all the gums, and produces splendid timber. Good useful farjh timber is going to be a serious question with our settlers in quite the near future, and very few of them seem to realise what it may man. To those who are considering it we would say — Plant Eucalyptus gunnii i iargely. Fruit trees. — Such a quantity, and splendid trees, too. Apples of most approved kinds, peaches, nectarines, apricots, cherries, piums (European and Japanese), gooseberries, currants, raspberries, lemons, oranges, etc. — these have all had especial care, and are ready to give immediate results. Messrs Laird and Sons have them in all sizes, but particularly draw attention to a line of fine big trees, just the -thing for the man with small allotment. In the flower garden department this firm is also quite up-to-date. Their roses alone number just upon 70,000, and are famous throughout and beyond New Zealand, the splendid postal facilities enabling them to reach even the most remote parts of the country, and their special packages of dozens are so distributed far and wide. Carnations are also, a special line, and these, like the rose's,, are making their presence felt throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion.

Space will not allow us to more than mention the grand collection of choice flowering shrubs, such as the delightful boronias. diosmas, daphne elethra (or lily of the valley tree), azaleas, heaths, rhododendrons, snowberries, new varieties of spiraeas, acmenas, cotoneasters, and scores more of equally good- things. No garden is complete without a proportion of suitable climbers, jand of these there is hardly anything prettier than those lovely Virginian creepers, especially those new varieties, Ampelopsis Veitchii, Purpurea, Robusta, and Muralis. These are all sdilf clinging, and are certainly good.

Autumn-tinted foliage plants are greatly admired, and one wonders how Messfß Laird and Sons keep pace with so many good things, yet here they have a most -extensive collection — lovely maples, sumachs, liquid ambers, Jap cherries, and dozens of others almost as good. "Space is taken up and we are not half through. For the rest we can only advise as before: Go up and inspect. It" will afford the staff pleasure to show you the growing stock and give you all information, in their power. We must not forget to mention that their new catalogue is now ready for distribution, and. it will probably help you in your deliberations.