Life in the Garden

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 26, 30 June 1909, Page 39

Life in the Garden

Practical Advice for Amateurs

YOUR FAVOURITE ROSES. yj'Y HAT. in your opinion, are the w■ I twelve best roses? We want “Graphic” readers to be kind enough to reply to this question. Our aim is to find out, if possible, what roses are the most popular, and we will be pleased if all rose-growers, amateur and professional, send us their selection of the names of the best dozen roses. We should esteem it a favour if any of our readers who have photographs of rose blooms would lend them to “Veronica.” “Graphic” Office. & J* SEEDS TO SOW AND PLANTING TO BE DONE THIS MONTH— Sow under glass : Asters, ten-week stocks, sweet peas, mignonette, hollyhock, antirrhinum, penstemon, pyrethrum lobelia; tomatoes for early work; Cape gooseberry. Sow outside iu sheltered dry positions : Early peas. William Hirst and Pride of the Market; cabbage, onions, broad beans. Plant potatoes for early use, potatoes and tree onions; shallots, garlic, chives, rhubarb, \ ietoria and Topp’s winter cabbage, lettuce, paeonies, early gladioli, herbs of sorts, nemesias, pansies. Trees and Shrubs: Fruit trees and bushes of all kinds, flowering and ornamental shrubs, hedging plants, roses. GENERAL GARDEN WORK. July is generally very wet, and it is of little use attempting to sow seeds or plant out anything when the soil is in a sodden condition, better defer operations than lose your seeds and plants. Advantage should however, be taken of any dry spells to get in a few early peas, and early potatoes. It is not wise to plant out trees of any kind in soil which is too wet. ’but on land naturally dry work may be proceeded with. In planting fruit trees it is of importance to see that each tree is firmly staked to prevent their being knocked about by winds. Box edging is not so popular as it used to be, probably owing to its harbouring slugs, but where these edgings are desired, and can be kept well in hand, they are very useful, and the present is a suitable time for their renewal or planting out new edgings. Garden paths should be seen to and fresh scoria and shells put down and rolled where required; all edgings of grass should be neatly cut, lawns have fresh clean soil added where necessary, and well rolled; leaves swept up and put on the compost heap. Prune and regulate the branches of fruit trees, and give winter spray; deciduous shrubs should have their branches regulated; evergreen shrubs will probably require some branches pruned to make shapely s]>ecimens. Sweet peas grown under glass must have plenty of air; those grown in frames should, when sufficiently strong, say, two to three inches high, have the lights left open; those grown in greenhouses in pots pans, or boxes may be hardened oil'; it is of importance* that sweet peas should not be forced in any way, and .should they have made* too much growth, we find it advisable to pinch them back, so as to secure sturdy plants for planting out later on. Bulbs ami tubers stored away should be examined, and. any decaying or mouldy ones removed; keep a sharp look out for slugs, especially amongst hyacinths and other spring flowering bulbs. We find “ Rough on Slugs ” the most effectual, as well as the most economical, remedy to use.

WORK FOR WET DAYS IN THE GARDEN, Paint labels and write the names of seeds and plants you intend sowing and planting. Pick over potatoes, removing all decaying and stringy-eyed tubers; box those intended for planting, to secure strong •'buds.” Examine begonia tubers, dahlias, gladioli, etc. Make boxes ready for transplanting seedlings into, wash flower pots, seed pans, tidy up potting shed, greenhouse under shelving, tool rooms, etc. Sharpen and brighten spades, hooks, pruning knives, secateurs, hoes, scythes, and sickles; rub handles with oil to prevent cracking. See that lawn mowers are in order; that seed drill is ready for use, and clean and oil them thoroughly. Make out your order for seeds and plants you intend planting and have them at hand when you begin operations. & Giant Primroses and Auriculas Amongst our spring flowering plants, the primrose is one of the most popular. There is, perhaps no other genus of plants so widely scattered all over the world as the primrose. There are hundreds of different kinds, but we only intend to note the easily grown and commoner varieties, which any one with a bit of garden ground may cultivate successfully. The plant breeder has been

at work on many of the original forms, and. by skilful fertilisation, has succeed ed in producing large flowers and considerably increased the range in colours. THE AURICULA. This is a lovely little plant, tin* cultivation of which has hitherto been neg lected in the colonies, probably from a fear of its dying out during dry spells; but we know that in tin* Auckland pro vince it can be grown, ami further south it should succeed admirably. The natural home of the auricula is the Alps of Switzerland. It- has a host of admirers in England, where it is cultivated every where, and has been vastly improved in many respects. The distinctive characteristics of the plant are that the foliage and flowers appear to be covered with sparkling powder; the inner circle is generally yellow, then shading off to darker tints, and the border is of a lighter shade. They an* grown easily from seed, provided the seed is fresh, or when* plants exist propagate by division. The very finest are the English show and fancy sorts, the seed of which costs half a-crown and five shillings for a small packet. but excellent results can In* obfain**d from Alpine Auricula, and the seed only costs a few pence. DOUBLE PRIMROSES. These are very dainty little plants, with single stems. There are white, yellow. mauve and crimson, but the latter is not so common as the other colours, and generally costs more than the others. All of these are well worth growing, take up little space, flower profusely in spring, and propagate by division. SINGLE PRIMROSES. The type is the emblem of spring in the Homeland —the old-fashioned primrose of field and hedgerow, dear to tie* hearts of thousands. The colour is pale yellow with orange centre. Cultivation has considerably changed its character: the flowers are larger, and the colouring is now' so varied you can 'have pure white and through all shades of pink to carmine and purplish blue. It grows best in shady, moist places, and propagates easily from seed or bv division.

The Polyanthus. The distinctive feature of the polyanthus is that the Howers an* borne on stout Malks. which have large trusses or heads of bloom. There tire endless variations and hybrids. The Mmisted strain has very large individual Howers, and is considered one ot the best ••bunch” primroses. I'he gohl-laced strain is .another very tine sort, whilst the florists have many choice hybrid strains, some of which arc poly-

anthus. others hybrid or half-polyant Inis, half-primrose. \|| of them are extremely beautiful, and quite a feature* in any garden in spring. Nothing is more easily grown than the polyanthus, provided al ways you can get fresh seed. hut old seed is useless. Nursery men usually supply good plants of primroses al extremely reasonable rates. J* 58 A SWEET PEA ASSOCIATION FOR AMERICA. The organisation of a National Sweet Pea Association in America, is being considered, and it is probable that the matter will be taken up at the June meeting of the New \ ork Florists’ Club at which time a sweet pea exhibition will be held. rhe sweet pea is the poor man’s orchid, and is constantly growing in popularity. The so-called Christmas varieties now make it possible to have flowers practically every month in the vear. The growing tendency on the part of those who have a favourite flower to unite* lor the* purpose of advancing its interests is one to be encouraged. .58 WALNUT-GROWING IN CALIFORNIA. The walnut is grown largely in Cali fornia, and is often called the lazy man's crop, because it requires comparatively little at tention, but pays from one to two hundred dollars per acre*, and sametimes more. The tree's begin to boar in two or three years after planting: at six years they will pay all expenses, and from that time on they will give an in come, greater or less, according to th.* vare* they receive. So far there is. apparently, but one disease that seems to do any damage to the crop. \ soft black spot is seen on tin* nut, which soon infests the whole nut. destroying the kernel; it also ap pears on the young growth of tin* wood, peiiel rating and killing it. The trouble has not yet become serious, and if the growers tight it properly they will soon be able to eradicate the disease. Iln* Bordeaux mixture seems to be the best application found, and that doesn't al way s do t In* work. Ihe trees require* the best of soil. .1 deep. rich, black loam, well drained (on the* hillside* they do not. do well) ; but t hey «lo not require irrigation, they are better without it. Suitable land iworth from three hundred to five him tired dollars per acre, according to loc i tion. The nuts usually begin to fall in tin* latter part of Sept cm b.*r, an I then tin* gathering begins. Many of them hull t hemsclves in falling, but the re-: ire hulled by manual labour.

A New Calceolaria. Tills new hybrid Calceolaria Is of shrubby habit, and produces an unusually large number of lemon yellow Howers in elegant sprays, well above the foliage. The leaves are dark green, ovate lanceolate in form, with prettily cut and indented margins. “Calceolaria Clibranii” is absolutely distinct from any other plant; and is held to be unequalled for garden decorative use from late spring throughout the summer. This plant was a feature last season, and was greatly admired in the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, where a number of plants were in flower at the same time. The hybrid is a free grower, and roots readily from cuttings put in during autumn. AUCKLAND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The Auckland Horticultural Society field its annual general meeting on June 10th. at the office of the secretary (Mr. \\ . W. Bruce). Mr. W. Handley presided, and there was a good attendance. The Annual Report. —The twelfth annual report referred to the financial success of the year's undertakings. The receipts showed a decline on those of the previous year, but this was mainly due to the fact that two shows were held instead of the usual three. For the same reason tire expenditure showed a decrease. The first show of the season was held on September 3rd and 4th, and eclipsed the best previous efforts of the Society. The summer exhibition. held on. November 21st and 22nd, was referred to as having been

very successful, and it was mentioned that the sweet pea exhibits formed a distinct feature. It was also found necessary to find other accommodation for the children’s exhibits. The report deplored the fact that the Society had been unable to bold a chrysanthemum show in file autumn. The committee

recommended that a new banner, or possibly a shield, be procured to take the place of the banner which had been presented to Papatoetoe. The thanks of the committee were due to the Ladies’ Committee, and also to Mr. William Goldie, who for many years had judged the children’s gardens. The balancesheet showed that at the end of the year there was a credit balance of £sl 18/3. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Electron c.f Officers.—'Pile following officers were elected: —Patron, his Excellency the Governor; vice-patron. Mr. H. Brett; president, the Mayor of the city (Mr. C. D. Grey); vice-presidents— Sir John Logan Campbell, Hon. E. Mitchelson, Hon. G. Fowlds, Mr. D. L. Murdoch; committee—Messrs. F. H. Brown, G. Hunt. W. Handley, J. H. Hutchinson. R. H. Patterson, G. W. Plummer. W. Gulliver, W. Timewell, and Munro Clark; hon. treasurer, Mr. T. S. Jaeka: hon. auditor, Mr. E. S. Medley; hon. solicitor, Mr. F. H. Williamson, hon. auctioneer, Mr. E. A. Perkins; secretary, Mr. tV. W. Bruce. The election of the Ladies’ Committee was left to the lady members. General.—-Votes of thanks were passed to the Ladies’ Committee, and to a number of officers and officials who had rendered service to the Society during the year. Official Organ.—The “N.Z. Graphic” was appointed the official organ of the Auckland Horticultural Society. We congratulate the Auckland Horticultural Society on having a good balance-sheet, and trust they may have increased success this year. We would suggest to the committee that this' year’s November show should be a special one for sweet peas, with an increase of the different classes, so that all may enter. In addition to the 6, 12, 24, and 36 varieties usually scheduled, we suggest three bunches, a table bouquet, hand bouquet, a vase, a hand basket, an epergne, and table decorations, all of sweet peas with fern or other foliage, and we would also suggest that in all the collections the number of stalks allowed to be staged in each variety should be stated. Twenty stalks is, we think, enough for a proper display, but in the amateur’s section 12 stalks might be ample. But at all events, whatever the number, all should have the same chance in this respect. It is sometimes to be feared the prize goes to the exhibitor with the biggest bunch well arranged, whereas we think the prize should always go to the exhibitor •who shows the finest flowers well arranged on good stalks and containing three and four blooms on each. We think also an effort should lie made by the Society to increase the prize-money.

An excellent plan is to get a cup or piece of plate, which would have to be won two or three times before becoming the property of the winner. Something of this sort should be attempted in order to induce strong competition. If it were possible to secure the use of a large shed from the Harbour Board, an imposing display could be made. We would urge the committee to make a big effort to bring before the public the claims of the exhibition this Society has so well maintained. VERONICA. A NEW COLOUR IN CINERARIAS Cineraria Flavescens: A remarkable novelty, and probably the first step to a yellow-flowered Cineraria. The exhibited plant was particularly well grown and flowered, the heads of blossoms being equal to those of well-grown Cinerarias, with a somewhat modified leaf growth. The opening blossoms are of clear canaryyellow tone, the expanded blossoms merging into a deep cream shade and finally becoming white. This novelty has been awarded a first-class certificate by the Royal Horticultural Society.

THE MANIA FOR TREE-PLANT-ING IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.

Scotland was in ancient times a land of wood and water, says “ Thistle ” in the “ Scottish Gardener.” As far north as Shetland peat mosses the trunks of large trees have been dug out, showing that the bareness of the Northern Isles is of modern date. A great part of Scotland was covered by the Forest of Caledon, a forest of winsome beauty, if we believe the bard Merlin in his poem that is the earliest in our literature. Several times he speaks of the wild apple tree—- “ Sweet Apple tree, and a tree of crimson hue, Which grows in concealment in the wood of Celydden.” Later on the first Bruce came to Scotland to be “ Keeper of the Forest ” of Annandale, a part of the Caledon Wood. Later still we find the woods being cut down recklessly, until Scotland became almost bare of trees. Sir William Brereton, in 1636, said, “ He had diligently observed but cannot see any timber in riding 101) miles.” Dr. Johnson thought ** a tree in Scotland is as rare as a horse in Venice.”; and a writer at the end of the seventeenth century said there was not a tree in Scotland except round Edinburgh. Such statements, however, must be taken with a grain of salt, for there still was natural wood on- the steep slopes of ravines, and some ash trees and other native trees were planted as shelter belts round country kirks and houses. Still, it was a bare land, for the nibbling sheep kept down the springing seedlings, and trees were only planted in gardens or churchyards. This state of matters continued rip to the middle of the eighteenth century, and that century therefore is distinguished for two things, the defeat of the Jacobite cause and the tree-planting craze that changed the scenery of Scotland so much. The fashion of planting trees seems to have begun with the exiles who came back to their homes and planted prim-cut yews, limes, silver firs, maples and walnuts, all of these being introduced at the end of the seventeenth century. These were planted only in sheltered gardens along with beech trees and chestnuts, it was late in the eighteenth century that the mania began for planting trees in the open. And this eraze when it started took such possession of the old lairds that the Laird of Dumbiedykes could think of nothing better when he was dying, and whispered to his son, “ Aye be sticking in a tree; it will grow when you are sleeping.” Sir Walter Scott deplored that the craze for forestry so often took the form of planting stiff' clumps of firs at regular intervals along the hillsides. Indeed, old

generals took to planting these pines on their estates as the soldiers were planted at famous battles. The craze also took the form of planting avenues up to the laird’s house, and there are some fine old avenues dating from that time. New Zealand is fast being denuded of her grand trees; we shall never look on their equals. Bits of native bush still left should be carefully preserved. Possibly some such mania as “Thistle’’ writes about may seise our settlers, and we may then see trees planted with a will.