Life in the Garden

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLV, Issue 4, 27 July 1910, Page 38

Life in the Garden

Organ of the Rev/Zeal an d \ 6v/eef Pea Society and Auckland /n || Horticultural Society.

By

Veronica.

All communications for “Veronica” should be addressed to “Graphic” Office, Auckland. Secretaries of Horticultural. Societies are invited to send us short reports of their proceedings, and also any items of interest to Horticulturists. Photographs of Flowers, Fruits or New Vegetables, or Garden Scenes, will be welcomed.

SHOW DATES. Schedules may be obtained on application to the secretaries. Rose and Carnation Club's Show, Wellington, at Town Hall, November 16. National Sweet Pea Society of New Zealand, Palmerston North, December 7 and 8. E. A. Osmond, Secretary. Stratford. Auckland Sweet Pea and Carnation Show, Choral Hall, December 1 and 2. W. W. Bruce, Secretary. Wellington Rose and Carnation Club. —The Summer Show will be held in the Town Hall. Wellington, on Wednesday, December 14. SEEDS TO SOW THIS MONTH. Vegetable. — Broad Beans, Early Peas, Early Horn Carrot, Parsnip, Onion. White Turnip, Tomato and Cape Gooseberry in Frames. Flower. — Sweet Peas, Ten-week Stocks, Lupins.

Bulbs.— Amaryllis, Lilies, Iris, Gladioli, Callas. Plant Out— Fruit Trees and Bushes, Roses, Ornamental Shrubs, Hedge Plants, Edgings, Herbs, Rhubarb. GARDEN WORK IN BRIEF. When planting fruit trees and bushes, roses, ornamental trees, etc., see that the soil is firmed round the roots, and that the plants are staked to prevent them being knocked about by winds. Attend to pruning roses, fruit trees and bushes; also deciduous shrubs. Fruit trees should receive a thorough winter spraying to destroy moss and insect larvae. Plant rhubarb roots on deeply-dug land, giving them plenty of manure. Sow tomato and Cape gooseberry seed on a hotbed, and when the seedlings have made a pair of leaves transfer to a cool frame or green house before pricking them off. Sow cabbage, cauliflower and lettuce for successional crops. Plant out those ready. Look out for slugs and snails, and

use shell lime or “Rough on Slugs” freely and frequently. Broad Beans and Early Peas. —Sow a row or two of each for successional crops. Pride of the Market is a good hardy pea for sowing now. On dry, sheltered spots William Hurst or Gradus may be tried. Dig or trench all vacant ground intended for cropping. It is better - left rough until ready to sow seeds or put out plants. Plant a few early potatoes on a dry situation, sheltered from prevailing winds, and don’t forget to spray them when well above the ground. Some gladioli bulbs may be planted for early flowering. It is better not to plant all these at the one time if a succession of blooms is wanted. Delphinium roots can be lifted and subdivided before replanting. These furnish a beautiful display, and are worthy of extended cultivation. Sweet peas can be still sown in pots, boxes or frames. Those which were sown earlier and have been well hardened off may be planted out when the soil is sufficiently dry. Attend to carnation beds; keep clean and dress with soot and lime, and keep the beds as dry as possible.

Plant out strawberries in clean land. Rows two feet apart and plants nine inches. Herbaceous Paeonies. The paeony is one of the most gorgeous early flowers we possess, and they are deserving of attention. They succeed best in a cool, moist situation, and as they are gross feeders, they should be allowed to establish themselves as they resent interference. Given liberal treatment, they will give a fine display of bloom. We have found that, as a rule, very few plants bloom the first year after planting. It is desirable when planting out paeonies to trench the ground to the depth of two feet at least, as the roots penetrate a long way into the ground. Some of the new varieties of paeonies are exquisitely fragrant, and the blooms when cut are much prized for decorations, as they last a considerable time in water. Paeonies are quite hardy, and the roots can be planted in the border during July, but not later than August.

Au extra line variety. Colour, silvery pink interspersed with yellow and laced with crimson. The flowers are very large, double and rose-scented