IN THE GARDEN.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17111, 5 April 1921, Page 10

IN THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. (SMCULLT WRTTTEH FOE TH* FBKSS. ) (Br J. T. Sinclatb.) ANJJWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. J.B. The heavy shade . thrown by vine 3 in full leaf ia detrimental to most other plants, and during the growing season it is customary to empty grape houses. Certain things will, however, do well, as ferns, palms, and foliage plants generally begonias, gloxinias, and fuchsias. Up the back wall amilax is a good subject, "iving each ftem a string to itself. This is grown for ta.ble decoration.

VEGETABLES. Lifting Beetroot.—-This vegetable is generally lifted inearly autumn. It k necessary to be very careful in the.matter <tf lifting, as tho roots quickly "bleed" if injured, with the result that when boiled they are-devoid of colour. The foliage should be twisted off, not cut; this allows an inch or so of the leaf-stalk to remain. Rubbing soil off the roots must also, be avoided; therefore it is best 'to choose a fine day for • the work, and leave the roots on- the ground for several hours to dry, wnen any soil adhering to iiieni will come away easily. If the* quantity grown is small, an old packing case is excellent in which to store them; place sand between each layer; oinerwise store in sand in a heap on the ground m any place which is dry and frostproof. • Autumn-sown" Onions. —Ok no account allow rows of these to be overcrowded. Use the Dutch hoe freely between the rows, but avoid disturbing the roots; even the most backward plants must not be forced into moro rapid growth by the use of a stimulant.'

peuit. Ground for Trees.—Although much too early for the planting of new trees, every opportunity should be taken advantage of in preparing the ground while tlhe -weather is favourable. Soils of a light, gravelly nature will benefit by being strengthened with the addition of heavier material, which should be incorporated with the* natural soil as the. work of trendhing proceeds. Soil of a heavy, retentive nature must he well drained, deeply trenched, and weil broken up. Mix plenty of light materials with it. Old mortar, wood ashes, and burnt garden refuse, or. anything of a like nature which may be at hand will considerably improve heavy, wet soils. In the case of soils of t'his nature, planting can be deferred until, early spring, when the.ground will be in better condition. Intending planters will do well to gather all the information they can as to'the best varieties to plant in their particular soil and situation before ordering their trees. Most of our nurserymen give a selected list of the best varieties of all kinds of fruit trees, ,with their respective seasons "f ripening, so that it is a comparatively easy matter for the amateur to have all the very best sorts in bin collection. Itis' far better to have a few good,, reliable varieties than to pride oneself in having an extensive collection, ,half of which never ought to have been put in commerce. It will be advisable to or : der tlhe trees early, as.very oftentat the end of the season it is a difficult matter to get trees of the best kinds.

. Perpetual Flowering Carnations.— These, are usually increased by cuttings,occasionally by layering. , hiarly spring and autumn are good times to insertcuttings, although it is possible to propagate nearly any time throughout the year. The best cuttings are obtained from the short side shoots, two or tfliree inches long, which develop on the flowering growths often after the bloom is cut. They are best pulled off the stem sideways with tJhe thumb . and first, .ringer. Remoye the short-, bottom leaves, aiid-insert.the cuttings firmly about half" an inch deep in sand. Pots, pans, or boxes may be used. Dibble tJie cuttings about li inphes apart; and when all in give a-soaking of water to settle them •in. Place the pots box on thejjreenhbuse bench; and lift the glass oft for about an hour every morning. When - rooted, pot off Bingly in small pots, using a porous compoht. Shade from bright sunshine for a few days; afterwards keep near the glass When, ready,- the next shift should be* into pots four inches wide; the final shift should be into pots six inches in diameter. Stop the plants when about f6ur inches high. Stop again when the side shoots have made six or etven pairs of. leaves. The tops. should be broken putj removing about one-third of their length. As a rule, that, is all the stopping that is necessary. Malm'aison layess put down during .February should be potted, at once if the : work has not already been attended to. . Three-inch pots will be found.most.suitable, and; the usual potting compost of loam two parts and leaf mould one part, will answer; but plenty of Brit shoujd be added to it. Keep the plants close in a frame for a week or so, to, establish them. During the winter, Malmaisoiis require a light and cool position. Excessive damp must be avoided, and olonty of ventilation given on every favourable opportunity. Border Carnations.—-Where layering was/done early the young plants ought now to •be in excellent condition for removal from the parents, and the) sooner the work is done the better. It is a good plan to go over them a few days previous to lifting, and 'sever the layers from the old plant with a sharp knife. Removal is then felt less than when the young nlants are Bevered and lilted at the same time. The border carnation' is a perfect'ly hardy-plant, and, except in. the: wettest ,anu coldest of. soils, will stand the winter outdoors unharmed. Even where, the natural ■soil is cold and wet.it may be considerably improved by the addition of road scrapings, old mortar, Wood ashes, .burnt earth, or similar lightening material, this being thoroughly mixed and deeply dug into the ground at once, breaking any large lumps encountered. Lift the young plants with as much soil adhering to their roots as possible, and transfer them to the prepared bed without delay, taking care. to avoid deep planting, and make, the soil fairly firm about the roots. Bird} are frequently a great source of trouble during the winter, and the plants can -be protected from these and rabbits by placing netting ovei v them almost as soon as planted. Where birds are to be feared, black cotton is less conspicuous and equally .'is 'effective, if stretched from sticks "a few inches high placed at intervals over the beds. Alter sharp frost go over the plants and gently press back into position any that have been- loosened. •

Polyanthuses.—Th" way to get the best results with these plants is + o plant tlieu'oi'.t earlv.'this month in deeply-dug soil. Tko staple should he enrieiied with well-rotted manure. If manure. cannot bo got, ufx> plenty of leafuiouid: indeed, it .often happens that they flower best .when grown in ground which' has lxe;i liberally treated wtih decayed L-r.vei* - iVlake the soil moderately firm, it is well to bear in mind that ihesc plants require a moist routing 'mu'h;;m to grow and- Sower freely. If it can be managed, grow them in uartial slnunv