HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVIII, Issue 21, 20 November 1912, Page 38

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Cosmea-flowered Dahlias. At the fortnightly meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society, held on September 11. some very rich groups of • lalilias were staged. Sonne of the blooms exhibited w re bin in di’a meter. A very prettv break from these heavy forms was a dainty Hower shown by Messrs (heal as Crawley Star, which was introduced as the forerunner of a eismea-flowered type of dahlia, and won an award of merit from the Royal Horti cultural Society and the first-class certi licate from the National Dahlia. Society. The flowers are bright pink with a small crimson blotch at the base of each petal: they arc about 4in in diameter with only two or three rows of ray florets, ami are held wadi almve the foliage on rather dwarf plants.

Dahlias. Now is the best time to plant dahlias, especially for exhibition purposes. Very little water is required in the earlier stages of growth; much better to have them on the dry side than to drown them; rely on mulching and keeping the surface open, and free. Never let the soil get hard. Mulch round the steins with lawn clippings, or anything that will protect the roots from excessive heat. The plants require plenty of air and sunshine. If possible, plant in a

sheltered position, and when the time comes for watering do it thoroughly. When planting let the point from which the growth starts be about Gin. under the ground. Carnations. The beds should he well watered, and given an occasional dost* of weak liquid manure*. If you want good blooms, disbud the Hower stalks, leaving only throe buds. If you are troubled with small green grubs, which eat their way into the centre <»f the bud. spray tin* plants with a very dilute solution of arsenate* of lead made by using loz. to 15 gallons of water. Watering Roses. When watering is applied it should be a thoroughly good application, so that it may roach well down to the roots. Keep the surface* well forkeel in dry weather,

and put on 2in. or 3in. of good mulch, such as well rotted manure. Watering over such a mulch leaves the* soil quite loose, and air is not prevented from entering. When the beds are well made, with 3ft. of soil, roses will do well on light soils, especially if they have been deluged with cesspool water, as this provides a rich store of food. Roses in a light soil can take any amount of liquid, but it must be continued. It is not of much use to give one good helping, and then to leave off for some time, for such

treatment only engenders mildew. Provided the drainage is good, the plants may be freely watered twice a week. Stocks. If you desire to save seed from any good ten-week stocks, cut off the three lower pods, and leave the next three, throwing all others away. This method is stated to product* a larger percentage of doubles. Lilac. Prune back or shape any of the lilac bushes that require cutting. As soon as the flowering is done is the time to use the knife. Anemone Bulbs. 'lake up the anemone and ranunculus bulbs as soon as foliage is withered up, and pack in charcoal and dry sand.

How to Pack Roses. Roses that are to be packed for transit should be gathered early in the morning and their stalks put into water for an hour or so. A stout cardboard or wooden box having been lined with paper, the roses should be plunged in water and well shaken, and then carefully packed in layers as lightly as possible. The box must be quite full, and so packed that the flowers cannot be shaken about. A brown paper cover will exclude the air, and, these precautions taken, the flowers should arrive fresh, and in good condition.