GARDEN NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20207, 29 May 1937, Page 18 (Supplement)

GARDEN NOTES.

mmi WMmrmTTTT mp Tr- Seasonable Work.

(By “Nikau.”)

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT. Plant Cabbage, Cauliflower, perpetual Rhubarb, Parsley, Mint, Thyme, Sage, Chives, perpetual Onions, Garlic, Shallots and Silver Beet. Mould up Leeks and Celery on a dry day; the work should be done carefully, so that the foliage and the stems will not suffer. Use Artichokes while they are at their best. Marrows also should be used, as they become stringy after June. Trench a part of the garden; if this is done methodically nearly all parts of the vegetable garden will have been trenched at the end of four years. Sow early Peas, Broad Beans, Turnip and Onion (though it is rather late for the last two). Examine Potatoes in store. They may be suffering from disease, or from wire-worms and the grubs of the Potato moth. Plant all kinds of fruit trees, but in cold districts leave Lemon and Orange trees until August or September. FLOWERS. Plant evergreen shrubs in the next few weeks, or else leave them until August and September. The same remarks apply to evergreen shrubs used as hedge plants— Abelia, Escallonia, Ligustrum (Privet), etc. Plant Iceland Poppy, Stock, hardy Marigold (Calendula), Antirrhinum, annual Wallflower, Pansy, Viola, Polyanthus and Carnations. Trim all kinds of hedges; this is the best time for the annual cutting of hedges of Lawsoniana, Juniper, Macrocarpa, and other conifers. If the ground has been well prepared, lawns may still be sown. In districts with heavy frosts it is well to wait until August or September. Weed the bulb beds carefully; the majority of the Daffodils are coming through the ground, and may easily be damaged by careless walking or cultivating. In boxes sow seed of Xemesia, Carnation, biennials and hardy perennials. Sweet Peas can still be sown for spring flowering. If the trenches are not ready, sow the seeds thinly and at regular spaces in boxes. There is still time to plant Ranunculi, Tulips, Anemones, Daffodils and also Lilies. Save leaves of Plane, Oak, Maple, Poplar, Beech, Elm and similar trees, as these kinds of leaves make good mould and compost.

A NATIONAL LOSS. Without exaggeration we may say that by the death of Mr E. PhillipsTurner New Zealand has lost one of her greatest citizens. The writer was privileged to know him as a scientist, a friend and a Christian gentleman. His was the aristocracy of character and intellect, yet all acquainted with him could not help regarding him as one of our rare patricians. His zest for acquiring knowledge was an inspiration to young and old, an. dhis readiness to share his experience and wisdom with others was equally remarkable. Of his standing as a scientist there is no need to speak, because his numerous reports and publications bear witness to that, but it has seemed fitting to refer to the passing of a real garden-lover and ‘a man of the trees,’ as he was proud to Atyle himsslf. ROYAL GARDENERS. In a Coronation year we are naturally interested in the activities of Royalty. Though a sporting nation, the British are also a nation of gardeners, and it Is fitting that many members of the Royal Family should take & great interest In gardening, one of the oldest of the arts. The following extract was written for an English gardening periodical at the time of the last Jubilee, but It will bear repitition:— “ Whilst editors of all kinds of ■ izines are striving to provide their |S lers with special features approp- ■ ely associated with Their Majesties, ■ s George and Queen Mary at this | q of Jubilee, we consider ourselves ■ *tunate in that we have an excellent

ways expresses delight when the choice bearded irises come into view, and in the orchid tent the Cattleyas and their hybrids receive her special praise. GARDENS OF THE ROYAL HOMES. This gardening interest is not merely assumed for occasions such as visits to shows; the King and Queen are fond of their own gardens, and whether it is the hemmed-in grounds of Buckingham Palace, the vast and magnificent utility gardens at Frogmore, the lovely and more modern Sandringham gardens, or the finelytimbered and 'watered Balmoral estate, each in turn claims a share in its Royal owners’ time and personal attention, and in many ways that fact makes itself evident. There is, In fact, much 'that betokens strong personality in the character of all these gardens. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the grounds of Buckingham Palace is the extraordinary feeling of isolation from town and its artificialities that is inspired immediately one enters. The great expanse of water, with Its reeds, birds and aquatic plants, the soft green undulating turf, the vistas between tall robust trees, and the colonies of typically English flowers growing naturally and in perfect contentment, contrast so vividly and so surprisingly with the London just outside, that one feels this is more wonderful than anything in the way of stately terraces, 'flowerbeds of ornate design, fountains and rose temples could be. In front of the palace there are for public gaze the bright, exciting flower displays, but beyond the gates and walls there are the peaceful simplicity and the nobility of a wonderfully preserved English beauty spot. We can imagine what would have happened here if the palace had been the London residence of lovers of ostentatious display, but we can well understand that our Royal couple cherish the unique retreat they have here.”

I eme which admirably fits the ocI .slon and is within the legitimate I jope of amateur gardening. Sometimes it appears strange and inexplicable that the King should be credited with the possession of expert knowledge of all manner of subjects, and we wonder how His Majesty contrives to give time to all that realiy does interest him. In regard to horticulture we know full well that both the King and Queen are keen enthusiasts, and that they have a wide knowledge of good plants. They have their special favourites in flowers, and when either expresses an opinion on something new or distinctive in character, the remarks reveal shrewd judgment of merit, and something far deeper than a merely superficial interest. We have noted this on many occasions when Their Majesties have visited the exhibitions of the Royal Horticultural Society. It is always quite obvious that these visits are not treated as merely complimentary or patronising calls, but that Their Majesties come to enjoy the beauty and charm of a flower show. It would be of little use for the officials to pre-arrange that the Royal visitors should see just picked items of special attraction, and that other items should he missed; the King and the Queen make a very thorough tour of the whole show, and closely inspect, admire or sometimes criticise exhibits, great nr small, outdoors as well as in the great marquee. A GOOD EXAMPLE. " Jt Is a pleasing fact that King George and Queen Mary are habitual wearers of flowers, an example which wo feel every keen gardening enthusiast should emulate. The personal interest of our Monarch and iiis Consort is of vital inportance to our craft; the nursery and the seed trades benefit Immensely, and the whole standard of British gardening is in-fliiem-pil by the pubtie knowledge that the King and Queen love beautiful gat dens. We have heard King George name plants in the style of a keen horticulturist, amt can reran an instance when he jocularly chaffed •ovoral men prominent in our sphere who were unable to toll him the name *1 Chelsea I *' oxhihlt *<> popular about the ‘middle ' ,'r the 'Vst century, but is infrequently soon Inday. The King knows a great deal about trees and shrubs, and always -ms to show special regard for good climbers, such as the clematises and wisterias. The series of rock girdrn exhibits at Chelsea Invariably claims a large share of the Roval visitors' time. Our colour supplement Portrays i’helr Majesties in a manner we have so often seen them, pausing lo Inspect and comment upon a colony of some choice alpine plant. One may be quite sure, too, that where there s a tine group of carnations (King George will tarry. His special affection for the flower is indicated In the regularity with which it is his chosen button-hole Xlowcr. Queen Mary ai

TREE DAHLIAS. This year the 'tree dahlias hjave been unusually good, owing to the absence of severe frost. Some specimens fully deserve the name ‘tree dahlias,' as they reach a height of fifteen feet or more. Their tallness, however, is a disadvantage in several ways—it exposes them to wind, and makes the covering of them against frost very difficult. The gathering of the flowers Is also difficult. By a system of ‘stopping’ i.e., cutting the stem back at heights of four to six feet, the plants can be made more bushy and less tall. The common variety is the rose-pink, named Leslie, and there is also a white variety. The species is called Dahlia imperialis, and it is a native of Mexico, as are several other species of dahlias. There are many specimens of the pink variety in Claudelands, including a good one in Memorial Park (near the bridge leading to Parana Park). Tree dahlias may be propagated (like ordinary dahlias) by division of the clumps in late spring, but there is an interesting way whit h has been successfully practised in Hamilton. Immediately at ter flowering the green stems arc cut off and laid in a sheltered part of the garden. If they are covered here and there, especially at tlie joints, with soil, they will root at the joints. In this way as many as half-a-dozen plants may spring up ii'om the one stem. SPEEDING UP. Every week we hear of inventions aiming at speeding p something, it may be oxygen to help an athlete to run a mile, r it may be a ‘starter’ to quicken some scientific process and so on. One of the latest ideas’is to hasten the rooting of cuttings. Acids are produced slowly in the cutting in the natural way, but now scientists are making weak solutions of these acids and setting the base of the cuttings in them. The t eated cuttings arc said lo root in half the usual time. Experiments, on similar lines are bring made with bulbs. Two acids are said to have been isolated, and to have been used in making bulbs bloom one month earlier than untreated bulbs.