GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2914, 28 October 1916, Page 15

GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhni. 1 ") ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "C. Boyd," Eastbourne, writes:—"l shall bo very grateful if you will kindly inform-mo. how to prevent or destroy fairy rings on a lawn. I may say that there are two round patches of toadstools on my lawn, and I have tried to eradicate them by digging, but unfortunately without success." When a fairy ring once commences it increases iu diameter year by year. Thoroughly soak the ground with a solution of sulphate of iron, ono pound to one and a half gallons of water. A fortnight later make a second application, using half strength. A fortnight later make a third application, still, using half strength. The soil must be wet (either by rain or by watering) boforo the solution is applied. Apply tho solution well' outside the ring, as well as .'on the affected ground, as it is there that the new growth will be. "E.L.K.," 'ftWliingion writes:—"Can you help me with advice about my silver mntipo ? I planted it in July, and it had first six weeks of continuous wet weather, and then the boisterous winds of September. Most of the trees are looking very sick indeed) and have lost nearly all their' leaves, though there are a few green, ones near the bottom. The upper twigs, are entirely lifeless. Should I.cut them back reversely, or is there anything else I can do to kcop them?" (2) What is the uso and value of soapsuds as a liquid manure?' You mentioned last week that they are good for dahlias. Are they of any use for pot plants? (3) Can you tell mo anything of the soya bean? We have had "one given to us, but do not know whether it is an ornamental plant or a vegetable." Plants that have been, as badly checked as yours will .riot do much good. I should advise you to plant a fresh hedge at once.

Soapsuds have.no nianurial value that I know of. They cleanse plants of insect pests, thus giving them a chance to grow freely, and at the same timo supply them ' with moisture. No doubt they make the soil about the roots 'Hisfasteful to insect peste. They are not suitable for pot plants. The soya bean is, X believe, used in the same way as kidney beans, the seeds being eaten cither green or in the dried state. SWEET WILLIAM. It is an old-fashioned flower, but how, intensely fragrant. Grown as individual plants dotted here and there in a mixed border it is somewhat insignificant, but massed in bold groups of all one colour it is a glory. II a whole bed is planted with Sweet Williams, using shades of white, paio pink, salmon, scarlet, and rich dark crimson,. the" result is a.'perfect sheet,of glorious colour. .'But even groups formed of live or six plants at intervals along a herbaceous border make • a brilliant show, and the garden is filled with fragrance. As cut flowers Sweet Williams are charming, especially jf arranged rather dosfcly in large bowls.

Sweet Williams like a sunny position, plenty of room for each plant, and a littlo conrse grit, such as road grit or coarse sund, in the soil. A little tonedust should be mixed with' tho soil when the young plants are being put out, or old plauts may have a littlo pricked into the soil about them at any tinw during tho lato autumn, winter, or earl) spring. Well-established plants are just coming into flower, and a little, verj weak liquid manure may be given to them after a good watering, or while tho soil is still -wet from rain. Seeds should be sown now to provide flowering plants for next year. Buy good seed, and buy it if possible in seperate colours. You can more easily arrange a tellingcolour scheme if you know the colour of your plants.

SOWING SEEDS OF BIENNIALS. There are many charming plants among the biennials, and, if wo would havo them 'well represented in our gardens during, the'spring and summor of next year, wo must see "to • the sowing of tho seeds now. Among the plants that , must be-sown now aro (Brompton, Beauty of Nice, and all winterflowering varieties), wallflowers, anemones, aquilegias, primroses, and polyanthus primroses (spring flowering), sweet Williams, and Canterbury bolls (early summer flowering)! AH of these flowers make a great show in their season. It seeds are sown now in seed-pans the seedlings will be ready to plant out in their permanent positions early in tho autumn. VEGETABLES.. Sow this month, where necessary, seeds of:—Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, savoys, and cauliflower. In small gardens just a pinch of seed of each variety will be sufficient. These crops do well' if planted between the rows of late potatoes after they Jiavo been earthed up for the last time. As soon as the earthingup has been finished, dig, if possible, some well-rotted manure into, tho .bottom of the trenches formed by the ridges< The cabbage, broccoli, etc., plants like to root into soil containing' well-rotted manure. When the potatoes are lifted later on, the cabbages; etc., will be far enough advanced to appreciate the eaifli-ing-up they will receive during tho potato digging process. Seeds of pumpkins, marrows, piernelons, cucumbers may be sown in the places prepared for them. Where water is scarce during the summer, it is as well to sink a small drain pipe vertically here and there among the plants. When, in position the tops of tho pipes should be an inch or'two above the level of the soil. If water is poured down these p.pes, one can feel satisfied that it reaches the root? of tho plants where it is wanted, instead of running all over the surrounding ground, where it is wasted. Another advantage of the pipe systerii is that one can supply water to tho roots of the,plants without cak.ng the surface soil. ; Plant ont now:— Tomato plunts, pumpkin, marrow, piemelon, and cucumber plants, cabbage' and cauliflower plants. Potatoes muy ; still be' planted. Keep the soil free and open, and plants will go ahead quickly. ■ .SILVER 'BDET. Keep sliver beet well cut or it will soon go to seed.- As soon as the plants have been pretty well stripped of rhe»r leaves a good watering, a little weak liquid manure, and trequout hoeing will ioon set them, going again.. The following seeds may be sown, this week, w.hero necessary:—Eadish. Sow broadcast in neb, firm ground. Make a. i further small sowing as soon as the previous one appears above ground. Carrot.—Short Horn or Intermediate. Sow thinly in drills twelve inches apart. Turnip.—Sow in ground that was richly manured for a previous crop, or in ground that was manured early in tlio autumn. Make tho ground very firm. Sow thinly in drills 12 inches apart. ( Keep the ground as liioist as possible, and i dust soot over tho seedlings, frequently. ■ Garden Swede.—Saiuo treatment as tor turnips. Sow thinly in drills 18 irichw '. apart, and thin out to G or 8 inches "l in the rows.

Peas—Sow in drills from two to threo' feet apart. Ground should be trenched and manured, and should have wood ashes mixed with. it. Dust bonedust in the drills at tho time of sowing. Soak the peas in warm water for a. few hours before sowing. strands of black thread at the time of sowing, otherwise sparrows will dig up and eat tne seed.

Parsnips.—Sow'in-ground that was well innnured for a previous crop. Work the soil to a lino tilth for a, depth of 18 inches. Any lumps may cause deformed and worthless roots. Work into tho soil fine ashes from,a rubbish (ire, and boncdust Woz. to square yard). Onions.—Make tho soil very firm by treading ou it before sowing. Do this only when the soil is dry. Sow tho seed in drills 12 inches apart. French Beans—Sow in drills 2 feet apart, and have the seeds G inches apart in f.he rows. Dust boncdust in the drills at the time of sowing, and give a slight dressing of superphosphate as soon as tlio plants are a couple of inches high. Runner, Beans.—The soil should bo deeply dug, and tho subsoil well broken up and enriched with decayed manure. Spriuklo boncdust in the'drills at. the tiiiie of sowing tho seed. The seeds should bo from 6' to S: inches apart in tho drill. Stakes imist be provided when Bowing tho eeed. Beet.—A light, sandy soil is the host'

for beot. Sow tho seed in drills 18 inches apart, in ground that was manured for a previous crop. Fresh manure would be most harmful to tho roots. The ground should bo deeply dug, and made firm again before sowing tho seed. Oust bonedust in tho drills at the time of sowing. As soon as tho seedlings arc big enough to handle thin them out. Lettuce—Sow thinly in drills lb inches apart, and thin out to 9 inches in the tows. The ground should be deeply dug, and enriched with well-decayed manure. Dust bonedust in tho drills nt the time of sowing the seed. - Garden Notes next week will contain wasonaMo notes about-.—"Wallflowers, routine work, and vegetables.