THE GARDEN.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18481, 8 September 1925, Page 5

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK.

(sncuixT mama for "rax mass.")

(Br J. T. Swcui*.)

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Grvenhoose.—lt is, m many instances, an advantage to have ihe roof of a greenhouse ae free aa possible from anything that obstructs ligit during the winter, in which case deciduous subjects as climbers are desirable. Of plants of this nature, fuchsias have much to recommend them, for the manner in which the .flowers ire borno enables them, when viewed from below, to 'be •een to the very best •dvant*;re l and in winter there is practically nothing to obstruct the light. As you are fond of fuchsias you cannot, I think, do better than plant one or two in your greenhouse. Senew most of the soil annually. VEGETABLES. Asparagus.—This should be planted when the growth on the crowns is an inch or so'long, for by that timo the sap is flowing freely, and the roots soon take a hold of the new soil. Very heavy or clayey soil is not specially suitable for the crop, and if it is used it necessitates considerable work in the adding of materials to ensure greater porosity and aeriation than is usual in soils of that nature. Sand, road scrapings free from tar, leaf soil, or anything that lightens but is free from fungus can be employed. Perfect drainage is essential, and any soil that is in the least waterlogged must be perfectly drartfed before arty attempt is made to grow asparagus upon itr A sandy loam of considerable depth that is fairly rich and has been well worked may be said to be ideally suitable. A good bed is three feet wide. This allows of two rows of plants, and if on the flat—that is, beds not raised--allow two feet between the plants Beds that are raised, and they should alwajs be so on heavy land, may be four teet wide, and when several are formed side by side, a two foot alley should be made between the pair. Eighteen mohes at least should be allowed between the rows, and the same between the plants. When the planting is finished, the top or the crowns should be four inches below ground level. One or two-year-old plants arc best for planting. If seeds are sown there must dc severe thinnings. It is best to make the beds the same as if planting wore going to be done, and drop a few seed* at tho distance named, then thin early, leaving the strongest, and go over tae plants again, when it can be seen wh«n are taking the lead, after which the growths should be allowed to develop Satwallv. When needed, stakes should be supplied to protect these from winds. . „_j The beds should be in the open, and freely exposed; this, with good ground, and the plants given ample room develop, is the secret of **<****• ™™ should be no cutting until the plants are turned three years old, but in tne fourth year a moderate cutting may take place, when the growths are several inched above the ground, and!before the scales begin to expand, iieing a seaside plant, asparagus obtaine eon siderable benefit from an salt, provided the soil " ht ; J?V*J is to be feared that many employ liberal dressings of *alt as a jnanurc on heavy soils, and thfresnlts in these cases are not satisfactory. Salt or saline matter should not be need with new beds; this

is best later, when the plants are stronger. At all seasons weeds must be kept well in hand, and water given copiously when the plants are in full growth. Prom November to February liquid manure is helpful to the plantß.

FLOWERS. Hardy Annuals.—A certain perplexity besets the novice at gardening when he runs his eye over any up-to-date catalogue at this season with a view to making out a list of annuals to grow. The colour descriptions now generally given afford some little guidance. The letters "H.A.," and "H.H.A." are commonly understood to indicate that the seeds marked by the former can be sown out-of-doors safely in September, whilst those with the latter mark should have glass protection if sown now, or must wait another month before being sown outside. The cultivation of what are popularly known as hardy annuals, although simple in a sense, requires a certain amount.of knowledge' to ensure satisfactory results. As a I rule, the seeds are sown much too thickly, and no more space is given to the contents of a whole packet than should be reserved for not more than half a dozen plants. The result is that one practically crushes the existence out of its neighbours, and the outcome is a poor, Aveedy specimen instead of a strong, bushy plant. Many of the common, garden flowers are most beautiful when given proper room in which to mature, and where they are grown under proper conditions a pleasing effect | is obtained without much trouble. The seeds should be sown thinly, mixed with a little fine sand to assist towards an even distribution. Much depends upon the weather and the state of the ground as to the time of sowing, and nothing I is gained by placing seeds in cold, wet soil, just to agree with the calendar. The ideal soil for most annuals is fresh, medium to light loam, but any fairly good garden ground will grow nice flowers, whether they be sown direct into the soil and thinned to a few inches apart so soon as one can handle them, or sown into pots or boxes and planted out. Half shade, that is to sav, a position where they get about half "the dailv sunshine, suits most of the annuals best, but the majority will stand sun almost all day, though when in an open position water must not be Btinted when the plants are in fill erowth. The elegant little annual Ivpsophila should be sown in a wellSSined border, to which it will impart the most dainty charm. With the colours set forth and the heights approximately stated in the catalogue, it becomes easier to make a choWonce, broadly, the beginner knows whether a plant is most suitable for edging, bedding, or border work. Among the best are alyssum (sweet), bartonia. aurea, candytfuft clarkia, annual chrysanthemum, cornflower, cosmca, coreopsis, dimorphotheca, dianthus, eschscholteaia. erysimum, g a '«>*™ ia ; gypsophila lcptoaiphon leptosyne, larkspur, lavatcra, hnum, love-in-a-mist, linaria, annual lupin, molopc, mignonette, nasturtium (this should not be given good soil or leafage will be produced at the expense of flowers), nemesia, phacelia, campanulana, phlox Drummondi, poppies, .»«*"»?»' Swan river daisy, salpiglossis, stock (ten week) dwarf sunflower, -sweet sultan and yiscaria. These range roughly from fairly toll to dwarf plants-from, say, Mt to 6in. There are here colours to meet the taßtes of all persons, and habits of growth and height* to -fit into any scheme or situation. All that is needed to select from this list, for a shining or two enough seeds to make a pretty ffarden, is a few minutes' quiet consideration and comparison with a good -catalogue.