IN THE GARDEN.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16168, 23 March 1918, Page 12

IN THE GARDEN.

(S-rECIALLT WRITTEN' TOH "THK I'RKSS.") (Bt J. T. Sinclair.) WORK FOR THE WEEK. y o , v- —Cabbage and cauliflower in cold frames, and lettuce on warm borders. VEGETABLES. Ground for Cabbages.—Now that the onions are harvested, tho ground can be prepared for cabbages. The ground alter onions is usually in good condition, and if a good dressing of soot or superphosphate is applied and dooply hoed in, it will be a help to the crop. It is not necessary to dig land which contained onions when preparing it for cabbages. It tho ground is made ready soon it will bo in good condition lor itie plants when tlieoe are set out next month. Cauliflowers.—'There is no better method 1 cl' procuring plants for next season's cauliflower crop than by sowin" - seeds now in a c.old frame. llie soecls should be sown thinly in poor soil, for ic is not advisable that tho soil in which they are set all winter should be on the rich side. The object in growing them in poor soil is to keep tlu. nlants dwarf. Plenty of air should I unadmitted to the frame even in tiie depth of winter. The two best sorts for present sowing are Early London and Sutton's Snow Queen. A. small sowing of cabbago can also be made.

FLOWERS, .Flower Uarden.—'W'uu tho onapeeding of Alaroa tne yaracu puts ou bome-iiuu-j or vtiu aspect ol atio. Tne trees and stiruOs assume uutuinnal tuits, ana green fruits turn ruddy and «oidcn, but tlie promonitions aro not unpleasant. Hy tlie sodulous picking oir of aeivd flowers and pods ore tney have time to taKo mucli or tno strcmjtn from the plants in their elforts to lorra seed, wo may prolong the reign of beauty rigrn, up to the iirst days or winter frosts. By untiring removal of fallen leaves, wo may preserve the sense of fresliness in tho garden, and mako opportunity for the employment of the late flowering beauties which crown Murolt with delight. Tho dahlias nt this time are rich with poriect (lowers. Phlox and marigolds are full of charm. Pansios and violas turn up myriad l'acos, though their blooms ire not so large as in the early summer. Gladiolats, sunflowers, and monbretia, are still sources of interest. All the colour bods are still u blaze of glory. Geranium, fuchsia, lobelia, and calceolaria vio with each other in a competition of lovely colour. j Is it necessary to remind garden owners that there is - no good reason for leaving annuals growing in the border when they have passed their tinio of beauty? Tho utmost skill and attention aro needed to preserve freshness and charm in bed and border for tiieoiext six weeks. Plants which have given us all they liaTO to give might liave a claim to bo old-aged pensioners if it could be arranged consistently with tho interests of the wholo garden community. But it cannot bo done. The stage of existcnco in annuals which follows flowering is one of Beed-bear-ing. The stems and leafage usually boaomo rugged and forlorn. The whole effopt is denoted by tlie term "seedy." This is an expressive word, liko otbor slang ones. It lias probably been derived from the appearance of annual plants aftor their period of efflorescence ia over. The correct garden policy is to pull up annuals at onco after they have finished flowering, and before they run to seed. Spring Beddings'.—Most amateur* nowadays like to have their flower-beds full of spring-blooming plants, and with this object in view preparations will liavo to be mode immediately, if bedding of this description is to be of tho best quality. Many persons think that spring bedding consists mainly in planting one's beds with flowering bulbs, but this is an entire mistake, as there is no form of spring bedding so attractive or can be put in hand so cheaply as that which is mado up of flowering roots, such as for-get-me-nots, daisies, arabis. violas, and aubretias. These plants last vervmuch longer in flower than do any 'of the bulbs. Daffodils, hyacinths, and tulips plav a most important part in spring bedding arrangements, yet, from the amateur's standpoint of cheapness and duration, there is nothing to equal spine of the plants wo have mentioned. In order to give these plants plenty of time to take to their new quarters and make a. good show next spring, the sooner they can bo planted in the beds now the better. When tho annuals, which we mentioned above, are past and removed, tho beds can be manured and dug up, and, after being made thoroughly firm, planted up. Cinerarias.—Plants of cinerarias which have gradually been grown on from tho earlier sown seeds should now be. Quito ready to receive their final shift. Unless grown as specimens it is a, great mistako to use too large pots for flowering cinerarias in, as a six or seven-inch pot is quite ample for all purposes. By using small pots the plants are more convenient for decorative work, and there is no fear of their being starved, as it is always quite easy to give them sufficient nutriment in the form of liquid manure. Plants should never be allowed to become root-hound before being potted, otherwise, of course, good flowers aro not obtained. A good compost is made up of threeparts of fibrous loam, on c part leaf-soil, one part well-decayed cow manure, with a good sprinkling of sand, soot, and bone-meal. Firm potting is necessary so as to induce strong, short-jointed growths. When the potting has been completed tho plants should be placed back in a cool frame, where they can be well shaded from the sun, and allowed a littlo less air than formerly. As soon as the roots take to the soil more air should be admitted, and during fine weather the lights of the frame can be removed altogether. Ranunculuses of the Asiatic type make a lovely bed, if a good mixture of colour prevails over tho whole. The flowers of this section are verv useful for cutting purposes. Planted from om to -in apart—claws downwards—at any time between now and the middle of next month, m soil free from wireworms. a capital display will result. Lavender.—Cuttings of lavender will grow readily if inserted in sandy soil now. They can be put in pots, or in a ccld frame, or m a bed out of doors. The last is best if a great quantity is desired. The growths should 'be slipped off the old plants with a "heel" attached, and inserted firmly. But littlo now growth will be noticed until warm weather comes in the spring.