IN THE GARDEN.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18239, 25 November 1924, Page 6

IN THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK. (SrECTALLT TTHITTIK TOS "THE P3IS3. ') (Br J. T. Sincuus.) ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS E.J.TJ.—If your peach tree is free from aphis ar.d leaf <rurl, th-?re must be something wrong at. the roots. Give it soma sulphate of ma?n"Biun3. . The easiest way to apx>l- this is to dissolve a packet of Epsom s»!t3 in four gallons of -water and well water the roots with' thia. Do the same again in a veek'3 t ; me. Follow this in a few days with liquid manur-j made from poultry manure. A.W.B.—Thin the fruit from the largest clusters. always le?vinjj the bast fnr.t. Tho thinning should be done in srch a manner so as to space the fruit as equally a? possible. If are wanted, thin freely—le've, sav, four or five fruit on the large bunches.

Enquirer.—The large oranjre coloured flower < - croccun (orange lilyl, tn* naisr-MlvC flower is one of the hybrid Gazanias, the other i* lforphix:& tjomcuInia. Do r>r.fc tri~ off the nerr leaves or 'die camellia tree.

VEGETABLES. Euiiner Beans. —These must be earthed-up and firmly staked, if not already rionc. Tf the plants arc too thick, tiiey must be thinned out. There is nothing like a free circulation of air about the plants to encourage free, setting of the flowers and the proper development of. the pods, and this free circulation is not to be had when the plants arc crowded. Remember, the runner bean floes not branch to the same extent as the pea, so that a dense thicket of stakes does no good, ■ but harm, in that sunlight, and air are impeded in their progress round' and about the plants'. These beans can be kept dwarf by pinching the shoots when the ' plants are in flower. This causes the stems to branch and keep dwarf. When grown thus the rows need not be more than 2ft 6in apart. A sowing can be put in now, which will yield a very, serviceable crop of' pods late in the season. Should the ground be dry, it must be given a good soaking before drawing the drills. Rhubarbs—This should get several good soakings with liquid manure, both animal and. artificial. Sulphate of potash, to two gallons of water, superphosphates to two gallons of water can be given separately, and if given alternately with liquid manure made from cow, horse, or sheep manure, good results will follow, as the second growth will be greatly improved. Ground for Brussels Sprouts.—As the time for planting sprouts will soon be here, the ground in which they are to be planted should be made ready now. Over-feeding is a thing that must always'be avoided when growing thesie, but as. they-are naturally exhaustive of nitrogenous elements in the soil, and as" the growing season is a lengthy one, a good dressing of manure should always "be given to tho ground they are going to. be planted . in. When stable manure is scarce, one pound of superphosphates 'to each perch can be forked in before planting out takes place, and on light sandy soil a dusting of wood ashes can be given in addition. ' Ground' that "was trenched in the autumn or winter, and from which :an early crop of turnips, lettuce, or apinach has been taken, iB suitable for sprouts, if the- -above manures are forked in, as it has had time to Settle down properly. Sprouts should never be planted in loose soil, nor in ground' from which any of the cabbage family has-just been cleared. Tomatoes. —Fruiting plants of these should be assisted as much as possible. If in pots or boxes, a top-dressing can now be' given, consisting of loam, with a sprinkling of superphosphates and sulphate of ammonia added. Liquid i manure can also bo applied. Remove all lateral or side growths, and it is advisable to assist the fertilisation of the blooms by giving the stems, a sharp rap now and again. Keep the plants tied securely to the supports.

FRUIT. ; Trees on Walls.—Trees trained . on walls and fences soon begin to suffer when their roots are parched at this season. These trees do not get nearly as much rain as those planted in the open. They are apt to go prematurely to rest, and should a wet and warip autumn set in a fresh flow of sap will 'take place, and may be the forerunner of buds dropping' as soon as the J - , sprout, or tho; dying* of branches may become a formidable evil, continuing year on j f ear until' the trees are worthless. Borders near buildings or paths, where the soil is frequently trodden need to be given due consideration, during the growing and fruiting season to the re-, quirements of the roots. While the roots must riot be. neglected with the hose or watering-can when they require it, the trees themselves must have attention. Where tho wholo tree is of free-growth, the rooti will be materially assisted if the foliage is syringed when the weather is warm. If gum should be coming out of the bark the wounds should be made clean, and well rubbed with-lime made into a subatanco like thick paint.

FLOWERS. Creepers.—Examine the various creepers on walls and fences regularly from now onwards, in-order to train the growths, and prevent.them becoming entangled. To create order out of the mass of entangled shoots is an- exceedingly difficult process; but if taken in time, and continued, the work is much easier, and .the plants show up their beautv much better.

Compost for ' Chrysanthemums. —The time for the final potting of tho plants intended to carry largo blooms is close at" hand, and the compost should bo prepared sonic time before it is required. The soil for this potting is of the utmost importance, and the following proportions will give flowers of the highest quality if the plants are properly grown: Two barrow loads of loam containing , a good deal of fibre, and not chopped too small, a half load of leaf soil, half load of well-decayed manure, a dusting each of bonemeal, soot, and superphosphates, and. about a gallon" of wood ashes. The whole should be turned several times to get it- well mixed, and should be protected from sun and rain.

Carnations. —Seed of carnations can be sown now, and from a packet of good mixed seed we may expect Selfs, Fancies, Flakes, Yellow Grounds, and Bizarrcs. The best seed procurable should, be obtained, as the percentage of "duffers" is smaller. Carnations are easily raised from seed, and soon germinate if given a little bottom heat. They will also grow well if sown.- in a bos and placed in a cold frame.. The soil should be kept nicely moist, never too wet, or the young plants will damp off wholesale. The seedlings Bhould be' pricked off into boxes as soon as the seed leaves are fully developed, and they will be a nice size to plant out in April. Rhododendrons and Azaileas. As soon as the plants have finished flowering they should be gone over, and all

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flower stems removed. If the flower stems be allowed to remain, seed pods will form rapidly, and this effort of self-propagation will weaken the plants if they are allowed to continue unchecked.