GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2787, 3 June 1916, Page 15

GARDEN NOTES

o [By "ICowhai."3

ANSWERS TO COEIUiSPONDENTS. "T.J1.M.," Taitvillc, writes: "In your gardening notes, which appear weeklf, ami which I find very useiul, you often ■make reference to the use of soot, ami say it should be exposed to the air before use. I should deem it a favour if you would kindly state ,what is tile best process to obtain this end, as soot is so light chat any force of wind would blow it „away." Secure some kerosene or benzine tins, cut off the tops, clean, and place soot in. Uieni, having each tin only about one; in ' tho tins under the shelter of tanks or ill an airy shed, and on lery windy days place piece.? of board over them, usm# weights, if necessary, to keep tho board-) on. PERENNIALS. Owners of small gardens cannot do better than grow plenty of perennials. They, are easily grown, extremely showy, and tho initial cost is their chief cost. By the end of the first season one plant may ba increased to several; cither by cuttings ? r by division of the roots. If the ground is well dug and manured in the first, in-/ Hie plants will need very little, lurcher attention, for two or three. Annuals arc lovely, but they are. very, otten a disappointment to tho grower.. I.hey have to be reviewed each year, and. that means seed-sowing and- planting out each time. Then, should tho . summer :be dry and hot, or should there bo spring and summer drought, annuals must neccssanly be | poor, unless a-great deal of time is devoted to them in giving ..them plenty of water and stimulants. In districts ivhei'3 such conditions , are custoniary, it is. better to. grow autumn-sown annuals, and to'rely upon perennials for the summer and autumn display. Perennials send plenty of strong roots a long way down ijito ; tho soil, henoe the: neces-. sity,for.deeply digging the.bed for them. lhe following perennials : may; be plant: eel during this month and the- next:— Delphiniums, ■ gypgophila paniculata,, perennial phloxes, Oriental, poppies, coreopsis graudiHora, gaillardias, rudbeckia (Golden Glow), pentsteinons, pyrethrums, antirrhinums, aquilegias, carnations, daisies, campanulas, hollyhocks, primroses, Michaelmas daisies, scabious, and verbenas. Perennials are mora effective when grown in groups than when grown singly. The following iye increased by division of the old roots:—Doronicums, geuma, scabious, Oriental poppies, lobelias, polyanthus primroses, primroses, Michaelmas daisies, campanulas, sweet williams, herbaceous phlox, Christmas rose, and pyrethrums. Tho following, by cuttings:— Verbenas, antirrhinums, petunias, geraniums, pelargoniums, 'pentstemons, lavender, Toses, daisies, carnations. It is not yet too late to talco a few more cuttings. Use ripened , wood, no, sappy new growth. Have plenty of sand in the eoi(. AYater with tepid water. Stand the. tins or pots in the shade for a day or two, and then remove • them to a sunny verandah. ' LILITJM-SULPHUEEUM. . ." Lilium sulphureuiu is one of the. most charming ol the liliums.- The flowers are trumpet-shaped and very sweetly scented. When buying-liliuiu bulbs : it' is more satisfactory to get large "bulbs that will fjower ths.first season, .even .if they cost a little more. All liliums may bo planted during the , next few weeks. planting remove the top soil, and thoroughly break up tho subsoil, enriching il with woll-rotted cow manure, leaf-mould,( and a little boncdnst. Then replace the top soil. , Liliums, dislike being disturbed, therefore the ground should be'very thoroughly prepared for them .beforo they are planted. Whfcn planting,- fork a .littlebonedust into the bottom of the hole, and give the bulbs a layer -of Bilver or river sand to rest upon. After planting a layer of well-rotted cow manure may be spread .over the surface ' pf' the soil. The apex of the bulbs of some liliums should be six ■ inches below: the; surface of the.soil, for .they mal;e'.:ro6ts above, as well as below the bulbs. The following varieties make, this double set oft roots: Auratum, Batemanii, Brownii, Cro. , ceum, Elegans, Hansoni, Henryi, lvrameri, longiforum, Speciosum, and Tigrittum. VEGETABLES. In suiuiy, irell-draiiied vegetable gardens,, roots, of. silver ..'beet may. sull_ be I planted out for spring use. At this time of the year planting should be done only when the soil is triable; "'that is, when it will crumble in the hands. Silver beet lUco a rich, deeply-worked soil, and an open sunny position. A part ol the garden where plenty of vegetable, matter-has been dug in recently suits it well; Later on the beet 'plants may bo lifted and potatoes or sonio other root crop can take their place. All tho hoeing and stirring up of the soil that is necessary for: the successful cultivation of silver 'beet will help to put it into fine condition for the root crop to follow. 'Thoso who uHsady have a crop of this useful' vegetable coining on should, hasten its growth as much' as possible. Hoe whenever the soil is in good condition, and give nitrate ol soda- (loz. in one gallon of water) at regular intervals. When giving -nitrate of soda to such vegetables as cabbages, cauliflowers, lettuces, etc., it is ns well to dissolve it first in water. If the nitrate of soda is sprinkled iii the dry state -about tto roots, the bushy nature of tho plant often prevents Vain or moisture from reaching and dissolving it. TtIKNIPS. Turnip crops that, were sown 1 towards Hit, end of the autumn are coining on very fast. The soil about them should, be kept well hoed, and the plants ; thoroughly'weeded. Sprinkle soot and wood ashes along the rows at regular intervals, afterwards hoeing it in. Those who neglected to make a sowing of turnips earlier in the season may stilt do so provided their soil is in good condition.. A slight sowing for green tops may also be made. At this tim-u of tho year only small sowings .should be mane, for they may prove successful, and they may not. But'even if they are unsuccessful as vegetable crops, the necessary working of tho soil in the attempt to raise a crop is never wusted.i Also die crop itself, although a failure as a crop, may progress far enough to .be turned, in later ...as. green manure. Those who have .a heavy,, wet-soil are,- I am afraid, unable to enjoy the delights of winter - gardening, but at least' they should seize every chance to. thoroughly trench.'and, draiii their garden plots,..and' perhaps next year they, too, may, ,raise ;crops of delicioui vegetables all through ;lhe, 'winter. - ' ; JiIIUBARB. . , New roots of rhubarb ..may be planted. ■ during tliis month..and '/the next.' The. .ground' should first' bo well dug afld, richly .manured. The best.rhubarb for. owners', of small gardens to grow is .'Topp.'s-Win-ter." This bears during -tho whole, win;ter. at a time when, fr'uit 'for pies, ,etc : ., '-is.'scarce. It is quite-,-'hardy,: and , thc ■flavour is good. Plants .that are jon now will bo benefited .by ah appliea. , 'tion of tho following' liquid manure:— : Three , ouuees of soot, and six-ounces, of guuuo, placed in a piece of coarso bag. ging.or scrim-, and'then allowed. t« stand in ten gallons of water. . Give .' each- plant a good soqking. Guano is obtaiiiod from a seed merchant's. llemove : decaycd.leaves, from, old plants, fork round them, and cover them with- a mixture of decayed leaves- and manure. If stable., manurecannot be procured, work into, tho soil round, the plants 'some bonedust,. and then cover with decayed-lcave3.-.- . Old stools of rhubarb may. be 'lifted,, divided, anil replanted in now ground. See lha\ cach piece has- a good strom; crown. At tho tiiuo of writing the soil is damp enough for anything, but onq never knows wliiit the weather may- be a week hence. Should the ground have, bccome fairly dry at the time 1 of plant ing,. water should bo., suppliod to the foots—not icy cold, water, but nice-tepid or sun-warmed water. Cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce plants may still be planted. Bend a leaf over cauliflowers/ or broccoli that aro maturing. It will protect the flowers from, heavy frosts. Avoid, if possible, walking between the rows of ; vegetables when tluj. ground is very damp. If you must do so,it. would be belter to lay planks to tread : .upon. Dig, trench, and manure alljjiiound: that is hot in use. Bury plenty of vogetablo matter, and lcavo tho surface soil rough, for the wind, rain, and frost to work upon it. . Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about: Flowering shrubs, carnations, mnd vegetables.