FLOWER GARDEN.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14975, 23 May 1914, Page 9

FLOWER GARDEN.

Top-dressing flower borders with stable manure is a practice not followed as much as it should be. Those who adopt this principle of mulching the bordors at this season get BUch satisfactory results that they continue to do so yearly. Some fastidious people object to the sight of tho borders covered with manure at this or any other season, and in consequence such plantfeeding is not followed. The advantago resulting from Buch mulching is that the herbaceous plants, 6bxubs, and trees have their base covered all tho winter from the severe frosts, and as the root action of many of these plants is active during tho winter months they gather up the food washed down from the,manure, and when spring arrives have such strength and energy that they fairly romp in their growth, and should the flower buds bo formed during' the previous autumn these are in consequence of the food increased in size and quality. Not only is the growth increased and the flowers more highly developed, but the whole physical condition of tho soil in the borders is improved. In consequence of- the mulching at this season the manure is thoroughly broken down by the weather, • and when spring arrives resembles black mould, which, when forked into the soil, improves it for plant use. It will be found from experience that where the soil has been mulched that it loses its stiffness, even if clayey in character, and breaks down like rotting mould. We sco then • that tho mulching of the soil at this season acts freely in sheltering tho plants, in feeding them, in improving the physical condition of the soil, in breaking it down, and also in increasing its fertility for the seasons which are to follow. This mulching may be in the form of stable or farmyard manure, rotted turf, decayed leaves, or stack bottoms rotted. Any or ail of these applied to the border 3in to 4in deep will yield results that will reward the owner for all the trouble and expense. Herbaceous plants in the bordors, if grown under favourable conditions, extend their width yearly, and "to keep up the vitality of these plants it is necessary to feed them around the base of the plant. With the spreading of tho plant there is the consumption of the surrounding food supply, and so soon as they come into competition with other plants in the same border it necessitates some additional food supply, or there, is a decrease in the vitality of the plant. Because of this it will be understood why this principle of mulching is so strongly advocated. < Dahlia roots should bo lifted and stored in some dry shed. or placed under the benches of the greenhouse, where they will b*o kept dry- Chrysanthemums, which have finished flourishing should be cut down and made tidylooking. If it is intended to divide the roots of same this work should not be started till August at the earliest, and where the soil is cold not till September. . , . , m St. Brigid Anemones which are growing freely are helped if the hoe is used to stir the soil round the base of the plants. This should be done several times during the winter, but only when the surface of tho soil is dry. Such stirring keeps the surface open, and allows the air afld heat to penetrate. A good plan is to mulch around the anemones with some rotted leaf mould. This will keep the frost out of. the ground, acting like a blanket.