LIFE IN THE GARDEN

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 4, 27 July 1907, Page 21

LIFE IN THE GARDEN

PRACTICAL ADVICE FOR AMATEURS

Next Week’s Work

By

VERONICA

SEEDS TO SOW THIS MONTH.

FLOWER— Sweet reas. Perennial Lupins. Asters in frames. ,5*

VEGETABLEBroad Beans —Exhibition Long-pod and Broad Windsor. Peas—Early Dwarf. Cabbage for late planting. Cauliflower. Onion. Lettuce—Cabbage or Cos.

N seeking to interest our readers in the great fields of H o r t i c ulutre, we shall endeavour, as far as possible, to avoid all purely technical terms and theoretical dreamings, and strive to direct attention to the

things that are beautiful, and how these can be grown and become a joy to their owners. We shall not forget the kitehen garden or the orchard. It will be our aim to keep abreast of the times, and to so inform our readers of the great advances constantly being made in the improvement of our flowers, vegetables and

fruits that they may be enabled to appreciate the points of a fine flower, a wellgrown vegetable, or a basket of choice fruit. We are not above taking advice, and any suggestions our readers may have to offer will receive consideration. We will be pleased to answer questions, all communications to be addressed to ■‘Veronica,” “Graphic” office. One of the difiicuitles we in this colony are con fronted with is the extraordinary variableness of the climate, and in seeking to give directions as to sowing seeds or betiding out plants this point must not be forgotten. Under these circumstances it will be readily understood no definite dates can be given, but we shall take the Auckland climate as a basis, and leave our readers to modify our instructions to suit their locality. The pleasure to be got out of a garden, be it large or small, is almost limitless.

To examine the tiny seed and daily watch its growth from such insignificant beginnings until, with care and patience, it sends forth its matchless beauty and fragrance, is, indeed, an education and a pleasure; and one which, to the jaded brain-workers in our cities tends to give real rest and affords most healthful recreation. At this season, in the flower garden, slugs and “shell backs” are very destructive. and should be attended to. Shell lime, put in a piece of scrym, and shaken over the plants will keep them in check. Hyacinths, carnations and sueh like are completely spoiled unless this is done. Slugs are extremely fond of these plants. A few minutes spent at this work at night, with a lantern will effectually keep down the pest. All vacant ground intended for plant ing should be roughly dug when the soil is dry enough. Digging the soil when wet it most injurious. Roses should be pruned this month and mulched with stable manure. Where this is not available, use basic slag at the rate of 1 lb to the square yard. In sheltered spots, calliop sis and nemesia may be planted out: the

latter is one of our best dwarf spring annuals, and is justly becoming very popular. They commence to bloom very soon after plants are set out, and last a long time in bloom; they are not difficult to raise from seed, but should be sown in a box or seed pan. Where only a few plants are required, the cheapest plan is to purchase the plants; they can be procured from any seedsman at small cost. Annuals as Pot Plans: Some of our annuals are extremely showy grown in four or five inch pots. The Poor Alan’s Orchid (Schizanthus Wisetonensis) or (Hybridus Grandiflora), Gialiath. Bismarck. or other mignonettes are all excellent subjects, very easily raised from seed, and if grown under glass come into flower very quickly. For table decoration they are dainty and delicate looking. In the vegetable garden, cabbage may be set out, a few early potatoes planted, broad beans sould be sown: and a few early peas put in. Should the soil be wet. however, it will he wise to defer planting potatoes and sowing peas. All spare land intended for cropping should he dug and left rough. If rhubarb roots are to be planted, the land should be deeply dug and well manured. The roots should be secured and. if wanted early, planted An old barrel, minus top and bottom placed over each will produce early and very tender stalks. “Topp’s Winter” rhubarb is a variety well worth growing, as it comes in when other sorts are out of season. The stalks of this variety are much thinner than those of other kinds, hut it is red and retains its colour after cooking, is of good flavour, and altogether a very fine dessert variety. Now is the time to plant strawberries, and they are so easily grown, every garden should have a few. The Marguerite at present is the most popular sort, but there are others which may rival it. notably, the Madame Melba, a very fine, new. and promising sort, of fine colour and excellent flavour, and well worth trying. Royal Sovereign is another, it is a large, rather soft fruit, and a good cropper. Gooseberries and currants should have attention; in our cooler districts they should be extensively planted. Nothing is more easily grown or requires less attention than these small fruits. Rand intended for fruit trees should be got ready, care being taken to see that such is thoroughly drained, is sufficiently sheltered, and if possible “trenched.” The term r ‘trenching” means digging two spits deep or more, great care being used to retain the soil on top: the second spit or subsoil should only be turned over, never Thought on top. In planting fruit trees, care should he taken not to break the roots, or if broken by packing or otherwise the damaged part should be removed. We do not approve of deep planting; the nearer the roots are to the surface the more fibrous they become, and consequently the necessity for root pruning is greatly lessened, if not entirely obviated. Therefore plant as shalTowlv as possible, and apply manure from file (op—not the bottom. This plan is sue cessfully followed by a considerable number of growers. The varieties of all the popular fruits are now so numerous. aud the localities in which certain sorts succeed are so diverse, we refrain from giving details of sorts. Nurserymen who devote their time to testing the capabilities of the large and everincreasing number of varieties will, when made acquainted with the soil, situation and requirements of an intending purchaser, give advice on this point. We consider there is ample scope in New Zealand for experienced growers to go in for apple culture, especially late sorts. X'o doubt, hitherto, owing to the dreade.l and dreadful codlin moth, this industry has not been profitable. Many growers have cut down their trees or thrown up their orchards in disgust, and small wonder either! when you consider the amount of capital involved, with practi-

cally no returns during the waiting for crops, and then when crops did come in. to see them ruined by the horrid little grub, ugh! Small wonder, we say again, that men threw the thing up, but whilst saying this, we must honour the men who have “stuck to their guns.” and why by energy, perseverance and pluck have exhibited the grit which commands success, and whose products as seen on our fruit stands are eloquent testimony that good clean fruit can be grown. Growers have now learned that it does not pay to grow too many kinds—about ten is generally recognised as ample to grow tor market. —that Paris green spraying is an art only an experienced orchardist can successfully employ, and that winter dressings of fruit trees is one of the best means for cleansing and keeping an orchard clean. Bordeaux mixture as used for potatoes is a good wash, using the 8.10.40 formulae, with the addition of a small quantity of Paris green and 21bs treacle, but the caustic alkali solution as recommended by Cousins, we have found the most effectual. It is composed of: Caustic soda (ground), pearlash (crude carbonate of potash), soft soap. Weigh lib of the soda and place in half 1 bucket of water, add jib pearlash, stir until dissolved, and dilute to ten gallons. Dissolve ten ounces of soft soap in boiling water, and when quite dissolved, pour into the ten gallons. Stir the liquid thoroughly, and it is ready for use. Proceed to apply with a knapsack sprayer. A still day should be chosen for the operation, in order to avoid blowing of spray on the face. This solution is strongly caustic, ami injurious to the skin as well as to clothing. It is also used for painting on the dormant wood of vines as a preventive of red spider and destroyer of mealy bug. VERONICA.

A Pioneer of Amateur Gardening. I suppose Lady Dorothy Nevi 11 was about the earliest exponent of horticulture amongst ladies of quality, says a writer in The Gentlewoman." We all know from her book how successful these operations were at Dangstein. the late Mr Nevill’s beautiful place in the Midhurst region of Sussex W hen Lady Dorothy no longer possessed a country place on a large scale, she took a charming little cottage at I lademcre. amt there continued her horticultural pur suits. It was the greatest joy to this talented lady even now and then to re tire for a few days from the world ot fashion and amusement in town to picnic quite alone at ILaslemere. and to spend long days in spring and summer among her (lowers. It is having tastes and pursuits such as these. Mirely. that keeps people young long after tjiey have passed their four-score vears.

Queen Violet. Of all the Howers that greet the spring, When winds are cold 'and keen. When cloud and sunshine tight to reign. The Violet is the queen. She holds her court ’midst Primroses, Which round her stand and wait; The gaudy Tulips bow to her, And Daisies guard her gate. Whilst Daffodils must hang their heads, Their sweets may not compare With perfume from the Violet. So delicate and rare. Her modesty attracts the world To seek her out alone; They pass the flaunting Tulips by, To worship at her throne. When crushed and broken most then she Her greatest blessing yields, To teach ns men that we may learn A sermon from the fields. Beloved by all. worn o'er our hearts, We keep her mem’ry green; ■When she is dead, her perfume lives. And she remains our queen. baynton-taylor.

What Causes the Autumn Tints? I Bv Unbelt Nairus, Nursery man, ( liristchurch.) Why do leaves change their colour in the autumn? Another question also asked is. Why are these autumnal tints so prominent in certain localities, whereas in others they are but seldom seen It will be in order if. at this stage, broadlv state the ease why some plants do change their colouring at tins season of the year. It will be noticed by the observant that nearly all the autum-nal-tinted plants are deciduous, but it does not follow that all deciduous trees and plants display autumnal tones. There are reasons for this which will be manifested as we discuss the subject. During the spring and summer months most trees and plants are busy building up their systems with the materials , ecessnrv to their development. These materials make use of the leaves of the plant to do their work of building up. It is in and through their cellular system that the organic and inorganic substances so necessary to plant ’*fe set up their temporary laboratoiy. Ihv period of activity continues generally till the autumn, when the substancewhich have played so important a part in the structural development of tin plant receive notice to quit theirworkshop This notice comes either fro -udden cold snap, an earlyJrost or an acute drought. The ™ thdra " a ' I "tv l, e slow and gradual, or it may be hasty. t all depends on the active conditions ,'f the above substances. But wi hdraw thev must, and to a place of cither the stems or branches of the tree .or in the roofs. Here they remain till spring, at which period their activity a<min begins. , . Tt is just here that our subject now ones' of real interest. In the trans-mis-ion of the above substances, com -iderable waste would take place it Nature did not carefully guard against !<»<s through the action of the light rays, which are peculiarly destructive to them when thev are travelling. When these Mibstances are in what may Im* loosely termed a fixed condition, light rays do not affect them detrimentally, but are helpful to them in their work. So soon, however, as they commence to recede, or. as in the spring time, to ascend, then Nature must defend her building forces against destruction. To do so. another property or substance appears, which is known as anthocyanin. Its function is to act as a screen. This an thocyanin is the substance which gives -uch exquisite tones to our trees and <hrnbs at this season of the year. The variation of the tones is caused either through the presence or the absence of acids in the leaves. The intensity of the colouring i* also affected by the smoothness and glossiness of the leaf. One ha* but to inspect the scarlet oak. the Khiis Toxerodendron. the Amelanchier*. and others for instances. I stated that it did not nece*sarilv follow that all de-

ciduuus trees developed autumn colouring. Nature lias provided quite a number with protection, in the form of hairs which quite cover the surface of the leaves, and thus the presence of anthocyanin is not necessary. But why are autumn colourings local and not general? In Nature this fact of locality is very manifest. We often hear of the Canadian forests, which, for a period in the autumn, are so glorious in colouring as almost to battle description. Then, again, in the valley of the Rhine, and also along the middle course of the Danube, these autumnal displays are of world-wide renown. Other localities in Europe are also noted. Japan, China, and the Himalayas have their respective autumnal foliage, although perhaps not so glorious as that of Canada, yet peculiarly beautiful. All the above belong to the Northern Hemisphere. This is worthy of note, for almost all the autumnal-tinted plants belong there. 'The Southern Hemisphere supplies but very few. owing to the fact that the trees and shrubs are nearly all evergreen. 'Their everlasting greeness was one of the facts with which Darwin was struck, and which be recorded in his “Travels Round the World.” A few, however, display evidences of colouring, and some arc very’ beautiful when grown in right climatic conditions. Climatic conditions are really the great cause of autumnal tints, that is in the case of those trees which shed their foliage annually. In

Canterbury particularly, and also in some portions of Otago, and in several spots in Nelson and Marlborough, autumn colouring is more conspicuous than in other places in New Zealand. This is accounted for by the sudden cold snap in early autumn, just when our deciduous trees are in an active condition. This sudden check means the withdrawal of the substances, and the causing of the effects referred to above. Associated with these cold snaps is the very’ bright sunshine which follows, and the light rays producing the effect previously mentioned. The light rays have a direct effect just as much as - the cold snap. This is proved by those plants which are found growing in the shade, and which do not develop the inthocyanin to the extent to which those of the same family do when exposed to the light. Of course, it will be understood that the trees here which are so glorious at the present season of the year are not indigenous to this country. Again, it must be pointed out that drought and soil are also factors which have to be considered. In a warm and humid atmosphere autumnal tint® cannot be developed, even in those plants which for generations have manifested these characteristics in their natural conditions. This explain* why the flnri*t« of Sydney and Melbourne have to go back to the moun-

tainous part of their country to get their autumn foliage. At Mount Macedon ami other similar altitudes, the climatic conditions necessary for such development art* obtained, and from these, places come the autumnal displays to be seen in the florists’ windows. We see how closely’ kindred sciences are associated in the fact that the nature of a climate may be gauged by the characteristics of a plant. It is easy to see that the meteorological conditions of Canada, the Rhine \ alley, the middle course of the Danube, and the other parts of the world which supply our autumnal coloured plants, are similar in the autumn to those of our own land.

A New Victoria Cyclamen. This is of quite recent introduction and is a decided acquisition to these lovely winter flowering plants. The petals are fringed and have a beautiful range of colour. The colouring is of various shades of white with rose, rose with scarlet, crimson with violet, etc., and the colouration of the margin always corresponds with that of the base of the flower. Seed of cyclamens can be sown in gentle heat during August or September, the seedlings will produce small bulblets which will flower the following season. This noveltv has caused considerable

interest, and there can be no doubt that where cyclamens are wanted and appreciated, this new sort will meet with favour.

Trifles. It has well been said that in gardening, as well as in many other things, it is the details that count, in other words, it is the attention, or lack of attention, to what is too often looked on as “trifles’" that spells the difference between success and failure. I know a good many otherwise clever gardeners who have the greatest difficulty in raising such plants as Begonias. Gloxinias. Streptocarpus, and others with very fine seeds. The reason is a trifle, but a most vital trifle. In all probability the seed-pans are well and carefully prepared, the seed properly sown, and then the mistake is made of watering overhead with a rosed pot. Now. I am convinced that success is almost certain if the pots or pans were plunged to the rim for five minutes in tepid water every time water is required. I once saw a rather amusing accident l»efal] a rather consequential neighbour in connection with this question. In showing me round hishouses this man was inclined to ‘‘blow hi* own horn.’’ and on this par-

ticular occasion was ’’holding forth” about a grand "braird” of Gloxinias he had. On coming to them he lifted the pan to show them off, and, discovering that they were rather dry, seized a watering pan to give them a shower through a fine rose. Unfortunately, the brass rose had been unscrewed, and the result was that the whole of the seedlings were washed from the soil and ruined. This was a trifle, but mark the result. At this season, when so many seeds are being committed to the soil too many neglect to roll peas, beans and the seeds of the Brassica family in red lead. It takes a trifle longer, *perhaps, to do the work, but the result of using this precaution is that neither mice nor birds will touch a single seed if thus protected, and it is a much more satisfactory plan than netting. These trifles could be commented on at practically’ any length, but I will mention only one other—viz., the care of tools. It has, of course, been often referred to in these columns, but this particular trifle is of so much importance that I cannot refrain from saying a word or two about it. Some gardeners 1 know expect their assistants to clean and put past the tools in their own time. This is very bad policy. Far better allow a few minutes every evening, and insist on tools being properly cleaned and carried to their places under cover. Not only will tools last much longer, but more and better work will be accomplished, and the young men will take some pride in having them in first-rate order. Thus do trifles attended to cause success. *

A Marvellous New Potato. Truly this is an age of sensations. No sooner has one horticultural oddity or novelty been exploited and duly exposed as a fraud than another appears through the medium of the lay Press. The seedless apple is non est, the 30,000 Burbank Plums raise a smile, the fadeless'flower hangs in the balance, and now we have a new potato. True, new potatoes are by no means novel, for a year ago varieties poured forth by th«; score. Even Solatium Connnersoni was duly noted and exploited by an interested few. but the novelty we have now to deal with is not a mere variety, nor a species, but a pure hybrid. We first got wind of it from America. How queer that all ovelties emanate from the U.S.A.! I fear that many of these yarns hail from home quarters: but the land of big things is a long way away, so there is little to fear. The new pomato. as it was called, w’as. of course, from L. Burbank, but after the first reL l|or ; t no more was heard until this spring. Then. Io! it was not from America at all. Indeed, the details were so vivid that one began to think quite seriously, for a grower of Mumby, near Louth, had been experimenting for years, with tht result that he had raised a hybrid between the Potato and Tomato. This novelty bore tubers at the root and tomatoes on the vine. The lay Press assured us that the novelty had proved so successful that numerous applications were made for a supply; but. strange to say. the supply was strictly limited, and the available tubers were sold by auction at 2/6 and 3/ apiece. Since then no more seems to have appeared eoncrening this Prima Donna, and apparently the N.P.S. has not been asked to test it. After a rest of a couple of months, Scotland has a go at noveltv seeking, and “An Expert” (?) tells" that an American raised a potato fruit or pomato which is going to lick creation. I cannot bring my pen to copy the ridiculous twaddle which is given, but the object or article resembles a fruit more than a vegetable, and it is white in colour, and not so large as a tomato. To obtain it over 100.00(1 different varieties of potatoes were experimented with. Great Caesar! If I remember rightly. 453 varieties of potatoes were shown at the Palace last October, and this number was made up from English, American. German and French sorts, and it may be taken fro granted that the whole world would have difficulty in doubling the list. Moreover, it would be beyond mortal ken for a single individual to collect every variety raised. Possibly seedlings were meant, hut the layman “ expert ” is always definite.

While we wrestle with this product of 100,000 varietits, another yarn appears, and of course it comes from over the way. Somewhere in Montana a new species has been evolved which will stagger humanity, and revolutionise agricultural methods. This marvel is grown without vines, and the specimen tubers shown are the largest on record. Think of it, yc potato growers! No leaf or stalk to have the curl or blight, no bacteria or Fusarium to worry about, and tubers larger than ever before. Lincoln has talked of its 41b. monster. and California has exhibited 181 b. giants, yet the new species licks all. Well, well! J*

Galvanised Wire in Gardens. Galvanised wire is now so largely used in various ways in gardens that the question whether it is injurious to plants is not without interest. Some time ago a horticultural writer affirmed that it was. He also expressed the opinion that the injury was due to the acids used in the process of galvanising. In support of his contention, he stated that a Lapageria was seriously damaged where it came into contact with some bare galvanised wire netting, but not where the wire had been painted. The fact may be admitted, but the conclusion drawn from it seems more doubtful. It is very difficult to believe that acids could adhere to the wire, or could be generated, under the circumstances, in sufficient quantities to injure plants. It seems far more likely that the injury in this case was caused by extreme variations of temperature to which metals in the open air are subject. But is such injury common? I have often used galvanised wire for supporting plants—l used it last year for Sweet Peas—but I have never observed any ill effects. What, I wonder, is the experience of others? —“Garden Life.”