USEFUL GARDEN WRINKLES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 16, 16 October 1912, Page 38

USEFUL GARDEN WRINKLES.

ASTER WILT.—The “disease” of China asters generally known as aster “wilt. can be prevented by stirring wood-a slips in the soil before sowing the seeds and before planting in the open. The soil about each plant should be watered several times during the season with tobacco water.

RUST ON HOLLYHOCKS.—HoIIyhock rust is the bane of every person who tries to grow hollyhocks. There is no remedy for it. but a great deal can be done toward preventing it and reducing the damage by spraying the plants with Bordeaux mixture. Spraying should commence as soon as the leaves show above ground, and should be continued until the dowering season, at intervals of two weeks. When the plant has flowered, spray until fall. Permanganate of potash, or Condy’s fluid, has also been found useful in checking this rust, one tablespoonful of fluid to 2gals. water. WHEN TRANSPLANTING.—Loss of such plants as cabbage, cauliflower and celery from wilt may be largely avoided, when transplanting, by cutting off onehalf of the leaf surface, and “puddle” the roots an hour or two before setting. REMOVING LABELS.—Remove the wired labels on plants received from the nurserymen, and substitute another form. The wire girdles the stem, injuring, and sometimes killing, the top. String labels, though not so harmful, should also be removed. Enter names in a book where permanent plant labels are not available. QUICK GERMINATION.- The germination of seeds with hard coverings, such as cannas, eucalyptus, and even morning-glories, can be hastened by soaking them in warm water for two to twelve hours. Sow the seeds at once upon removing them from the water. If given this treatment, morn-ing-glories will bloom in six weeks from sowing. The harder the seed is, the longer and warmer should be the soaking.

POLYANTHUS AND PRIMROSE.— Polyanthuses anil Primroses should, during November, be divided and planted out in fairly rich soil. Any self sown seedlings that may be found should be treated the same,' and they will bloom better than the divided plants. CLEAR - SKINNED POTATOES. — When the treneh is opened for planting, give a very free dressing of wood ashes (made from burning old garden refuse, tree primings, old ( hrysanthemum steins, etc.), mixed with a little soot, not too fresh. Plant seed tubers in this, and cover with soil to half the depth of the treneh. (live a dressing of kainit and superphosphate of lime, and till in the remainder of the soil. Success in obtaining good shape and freedom from skin blemish is absolutely Everything has its use, and there is a use for everything. Some "Graphic” readers may know a wrinkle or two. Well, send them along to us for the benefit of others!