GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2624, 20 November 1915, Page 15

GARDEN NOTES

, VEGETABLES.

(Br "Kowhai.") ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 'C.A.H.," Hataitai, writes:—"Would you kindly state in your notes next week when Bella Donna lilies should be taker, up and repUmted? Also best situation ami cultivation? A lew notes on the cultivation, ol' uhrysanthoniums would bo very acceptable. The situation of my garden is a very windy one, and it would be desirable if I could so treat the plants as to prevent a late growth, consistent with good iioivering results. Could you recommend a good gardening boot tor amateurs?"

Bella Donna lilies may be lifted now if the foliage has quito died down, or tliey may be left till next month. They should bo thoroughly warmed in the sun, and then planted back in tho ground again. Tho bulbs should be planted whero they get the full_benefit of the winter sun. Winter is tneir resting time, and the drier, tho bulbs are then the better. Tho soil should bo a mixture of soil, leaf-soil, and sand, and should not be too rich. Good drainage is most essential, and the subsoil shouldjjtherefore, bo well broken up. Tho bulbs should be about onethird of their depth in the soil. As soon as they show 6igns of renewing their growth, the bulbs should he well watered, and should bo given weak soot water onco a week. You should keep your chrysanthemum plants low and bushy by pinching out the growths as advised in last week's notes. No moro pinching should be done after tho end of the first week in December. Several stakes should be given to each plant. Your best plan, would be to grow mostly early flowering chrysanthemums. A good book on New' Zealand gardening is "Gardening in New Zealand," by J[. Murphy. Tho column in The Dominion is written expressly for amateurs. "G..M.5.," River Hill, writes:'—"l would bo much obliged if you could tell me of a remedy for the disease that has attacked my geraniums this last year. It was brought to mo in some cuttings, and was unnoticed for some time, ana has now spread through all my plants.' Cut off aud burn every leaf that is ia the least affected, and piA up all dead leaves from the ground. Qet . some vermorite from a seed merchant, and spray all the plants thoroughly, using half strength. KOCHIA TRICHOPHILA. ' This is a charming little annual that is grown entirely for its foliage. The leaves are very finely out, and during the summer are a pretty shade of green. But it is not until tho autumn that the plant attains its full beauty. Then the foliage becomes the most wonderful shades of crimson and purple, that blend well with the rich tones of chrysanthemums and dahlias, and the delicate shades of cosmos and Michaelmas daisies. _ ' So far one does not often see it m private gardens, but as soon as it is a littlo belter known, Kochia Trichophua will take its place in every garden. the bushes are upright and compact, growing to a height of two or three feet, lhe soil should not bo too rich, but yet rich enough to allow even growth. Seeds should be sown early in a frame or a hothouse to give the plants time to j reach their full height. , Those who have not a frame should buy a few well-grown seedlings from a nurseryman, and plant them out without delay.

ZINNIAS. Zinnias are most for providing a fine display of flowers just at a time when the summer flowers are over, ancl the autumn flowers are scarcely out. lor dry sunny gardens, they are nearly as valuable as antirrhinums. To grow zmnias successfully the soil 6houla be "tborouglily dug to a good depth. Special attention should be paid to the subsoil in heavy soils, as zinnias will, not tinivo unless good drainage is provided. Liko most annuals they appreciate a little lime in the soil. Seeds may be sown.in the open garden during this month, and tho Heedlings should be transplanted as soon as they are big enough to handle. Shade them from tho hot sun for a day or two. Pinch out tho tops of the seedlings as soon as the plants arc a few mcnes high to 'induce bushy growth. Dead flowers should be promptly removed, and the soil round the plants should be kept well stirred. Double giant zinnias make, a brilliant show when mixed wlours are thrown in groups or masses. Tho flowers Vist for a long time in water when cut.

ROUTINE AVOB.Iv. Cuttings of pentsteiuons, geraniums, regal pelargoniums, antirrhinums, verbenas,, lavender, etc., that were -baleen in the autumn should be well rooted by now and may be planted out into their permanent quarters. ' Spread the roots out cover them with fmo soil, press this down firmly, and shade the plants frop the hot sun for a day or two. If it is possible to move the plants just before a shower of rain they won't realise that they have ever been moved, but will at once' take hold of the soil (provided it'has been made quito firm about nicely spread out roots) aud continue growing. There cannot be too many of tho above-men-tioned flowers in a garden, if a bright display of flowers is wanted over a long period..

Pniisies have been making a brave show for some time now. and will continue to do so provided the dead flowers aro picked off every dnv, and that the roots are kept moist. Give the plants a thorough soaking with water, and then spread a mulch of grass clippings, decayed leaves, etc., round about the plants, It is surprising what a difference this treatment makes to the plants. In a week or two the plants will have spread right over the mulch, and the whole, bed or border will be a maijs of long-stemmed (lowers AVeak liquid manure and plenty of soap-suds should be supplied to tlie plants. The liquid -will run through the mulch to the roots, and the mulch will prevent its- being evaporated by tho sun- Should slugs make for this 'nice shelter, visits should bo made to the pansies after dark with a lantern. If you take a pair of scissors with you and simply. cut in half every slug you see, you will soon be rid of them. Seeds of wallflowers, primroses, and poljanthus primroses should be sown now to provide flowering plants lor next spring. The prim-roses and polyanthus primroses may be sown in a shady spot in the garden, and the seedlings left'where they are till the end of -the autumn, pro«r iia s ? e<l has 1)6011 well scattered. Wallflowers had better be sown in a seedpan, and the seedlings planted out into a spare part of tho garden as soon as they are big enough to handle. If the tap root is snipped off at t'he time of transplanting, tho seedlings will develop a nice bunch of fibrous roots before they aro moved into tho beds in the autumn. Seeds sown m tho open. garden should be shaded from the sun by being lightly covered with some dry grass 6traws or dead pea haulm. Don't .put a heavy covering over the seeds, thus shutting out the air. Just « sprinkling of litter will answer the purpose of keeping the soil uniformly moist. ■ 1

Beetroot seed may be sown oil ground that was well manured for a previous green crop, as fresh manure is most harmful to the roots. The ground should be flee ply dug, and the soil made fiue. Deep digging is most essential. Tho ground should then bo made firm by trampling all over it—of course, when "the soil is dry. Before sowing the seed hoe over the surface of the soil., The drills for the seeds should be a fool aud a half apart to allow the roots room to develop. \Sprinkle a. little bonedust into the. drills when oowing the seed. .As soon as the seedlings are. _big enough to handle they should be thinned out. Hoe regularly between tho rows, and keep the plants frc-p from weeds. Shallots are coming on very fast now. Pick oft' thc_ Hower stems as soon as they appear. Keep tho bed quite free of weeds. As soon as the seedlings of pumpkins, niarrowf, cucumbers, etc., appear through tho ground givo them a good watering,. and then spread a mulch of grass clippings or thoroughly decayed rubbish round them. This keeps the little roots moist,_ and gives the plants a chancc to establish themselves. Big leaves sen • appear, and the vinos begin to creep over the mulch. Once this stage is reached the plants are 110 further trouble, except that they need a good watering now and again in very dry weather. "Garden Notes" next week will contain seasonable notes about: Portulaca. routine ..••ark. and. vegetables,