LIFE IN THE GARDEN

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 4, 24 January 1912, Page 38

LIFE IN THE GARDEN

Official Organ of the Rev/Zealand Pea Society and Auckland Horticultural Society.

By

Veronica.

All communications for “Veronica ’ should be addressed to i Graphic 9 ' 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.

COMING SHOWS. Canterbury Horticultural Society. — Carnation and Sweet Pea Exhibition. January, 1912. Miss E. Sneyd Smith, Secretary. Timaru Horticultural Sceiety.— Autumn Show. Olympia Hall. February 15 and 16, 1912. J&j. K. Macdonald, Hon. Sec. Hamilton Horticultural Society.— Autumn Show, April 1912. E. B. Davy. Hon. Sec. HORTICULTURAL NOTES. <ummer <li_'jing may be hard work on seme soils. but on these -ame soils *i is summer digging which tells on th«‘ next crop. Never mind how rough you dig <o long a- the soil is turned up t-» the sun and air. Crops of potatoes have been heavy this season, and prices consequently very low: indeed, the price now ruling will not pay expenses: a very considerable acreage was planted, and. a< is usually the vase, the chances are that a less area will go in next season. Blight, we hear, has been severe in some localities on tomatoes. Whenever, c.r l»etter still, before it- appearance the plants should be sprayed with bordeaux: when blight is discovered. cut off all affected parts, and spray: immediate attention is always necessary. It is a good plan to make a small sowing of cabbage and cauliflower seed during the month. Nonpareil is a tine small cabbage, just the size for a small family, and Walcheren is an excellent cauliflower. Of course, there are endless varieties of both, and some people always want big things; we prefer’qual-

Sa Rulings should not be forgotten: a good fresh supply of lettuce, radish, mustard and cress, etc., is always acceptable during hot weather. In the Hower garden there is plenty t<- do. Carnations are late in flowering this *eason but as soon as they have finished cut back the flower stalks and commence layering. Only the very best varieties should be worked. Antirrhinums. pansies, pelargoniums, and pensteinons should be propagated by cuttings. Insert these in sandy >oil and 'hade, giving attention to sufficient watering. Look over rose beds, and remove all dead leaves, blooms, and shoots. Mule a the bed* with any kind of litter where th * has not already been attended to. ; hrysa nt henrums should be pinched back to secure three or four shoots. Liquid manure once a week will help them along. Ihihlias must Jiave good supports, ami where there are too many shoots thin out. Weak liquid manure will greatly benefit all late planted varieties. Cladioli are now a grand show. Im mense improvements have been effected on these stately plants, and some of the nmst telling varieties we have late’v seen are Lady Montague, pure white with distinct blotch of crimson—a really refine* 1 and beautiful spike of bloom, t ountess Amy is a tine bright rose-pink flake, with darker flakes on lower petals. and with white blotches. La Luna gives a *plen*lid spike of white with maroon blotch, and is a variety of tine substance. Some very tine locally-raised *e< tilings have been shown by Messrs Antes and Co., who have been for years growing these from seed. Eric Yates i* a majniti-.ent spike of bright velvety crimson of great substance. Mrs W. F. Massey, a deep pink with very large white blotch on lower petals, a great spike. Miss Penman, a tine white with purple markings. Richard Seddon. a liu-je purple with darker blotch. Gladioli primulanus is rather a novelty. the flowers droop and are smaller, the colour is rich yellow: several hybrids are also on the market.