GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3024, 10 March 1917, Page 15

GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhai.") I I'REESIAS. I'reesiiis nro among tho most charming of the early spring flowers. 'L'Jioir delightful fragrance alouo is sufficient to endow them to all lovers of (lowers, l>iit their beauty of form and their ability to keep fresh over a lengthy period also contribute largely towards their popularity. By planting at different times, and in different ways, one may have froesias in bloom for quito a long time. Coming, as they do, during tho dull days or winter, they are especially welcome, •llio bulbs of the old freesi'a refracta alba are so cheap tlmt they aro within the roach of everyone, and one can still derive nn incredible amount of pleasure out of a box full of this old variety. J.IIO hybrids are wonderfully interesting, and very beautiful, comprising, as they do, such delicate shades of pink, Lavender, primrose, etc. Freesias may bo grown in the open border, in boxes or pots on a. sunny verandah, and in pots and bowls in a sunny -window. ' In the garden freesias like a light sandy soil, enriched with well-rotted manure, thoroughly decayed vegetable rubbish or leafmould, and a little bonedust. The bulbs, should bo placed on a firm bed, and should bo resting on a layer of sand. Iliero should be one inch of soil above them when the planting is finished. Kerosene tins, cut in half and painted dark green, are very suitable for growing frcßsias in. Mnko plenty of holes in the bottom of tho tins, and put a good layor of broken pieces of nots, or some pebbles, for drainage. Til? soil should consist of a mixture of good garden soil, sand, and well-rotted manure, or well-decayed vegetable rubbish. Mix these ingredients together thoroughly with the hands before filling tho tins or I pots. Tho bulbs should 1, be planted' ! iairly dee;i, and they should be one inch apart_ each way. Give the pots a go'oi] watering, and bury them up to their rims in a bed of wood-ashes in a shady place. This will give the bulbs a chance to make good roots before top growth begins. Freesias must have a long period of growth before tho flowering- season; therefore, early planting is most necessary. To ensure good flowers plant large well-ripened bulbs. As 6oon as growth begins freesias reouire plenty of sunshine, and plenty of water, especially soot water. VIOLETS. At this .time of the year violet plants oegm to produce a great number of now leaves. • Old leaves that are at all faded or inclined to decay should be carefully removed before they aro covered by tho rapidly-growing new ones. If they are allowed to remain they are a source of danger to the plants for they harbour, disease, red spider, etc. Plants tlmt have any trace of red spider should be attended to. The leaves should be cut off close to the ground and burnt, and the plants should then be thoroughly watered with' clear water, and sprinkled with flowers of sulphur. PMMKOSES. Primroses aro beginning to wake up after their long summer sleep. New leaves are beginning to peep up from tho plants, ond to grow -with .amazing rapidity. All old or faded loaves- should bo carefully removed. Work a little bonedust into tho soil about thn plants, ancl spread a liglit mnlcb of leaf-mould about them. Plants that are about three vears old should be lifted, broken up, and" the pieces replanted in well-dug soil to which a little thoroughly .decayed vegetable rubbish aiid'sand have been added. If tho soil is deeply worked before primroses are planted, tho plants will sent! their roots down a very long way. This is a great help to them when they tiavo to face a hot, dry summer. CANTERBURY BELLS. Well-grown Canterbury bolls are exceedingly handsome early summer flowers. Plants that aro put out in the autumn have time to produce tall. central spikes and plenty of side-flowering shoots beforo the flowering season. Canterbury bolls do splendidly in town gardens, especially if they can be planted where a little old mortar (powdered) has boon added to tho soil. The most handsome variety to grow is the "cup and saucer" Canterbury boll. VEGETABLES. ROUTINE WORK. Potatoes.—Dig up potatoes as soon as tlio' haulm shows signs 'of withering. Store table .potatoes away from the light as soon as possible. Expose those selected'.for seed for a.few,days "to green." Leeks.—Leeks must; bo kept'well supplied with water. Feed once a week with weak liquid manure (loz. ;.of nitrate of soda in 1 gallon of water), to bo applied after' a good soaking with clear w.ater. Marrows and pumpkins.—Stop tho long runners to induce them to throw .out side growths. Tho . side growths produce plenty of .fruit-bearing flowers. Keep the plants well supplied with water. Cut tho fruit .as soon'as it is ready, leaviDg only one fruit to each vino to ripen for winter. use. French Beans.—A last .email sowing of French .beans may be mado in a sunny spot, shelterod from early frosts. "Dig a trench about 12 inches deep, and fill it in with sis inches of well-rotted"stable manure, or decayed vegetable rubbish, and four inches of good loam and wellrotted stable manuro mixed. .Have the contends of the trench thoroughly wet somo hours before sowing the seed. Sow tho seed, and cover -with a layer of toe earth. Spread manuka brush or dead pea ■haulm over the trench till the seedlings aro np. As the seedlings grow they may. bo earthed up a little. They should be encouraged to grow quickly by constant cultivation and attention to watering. Plants that aro bearing fruit must be kept well watered. After a hot or dusty day the foliage should be syringed with clear water. Keep a look-out for red spider. Onco it becomes established the flowers cease to set. Keep tho pods togularly picked. Tomatoes.—Outdoor . tomatoes aro ripening fast now; Keep all lateral and basal shoots pinched out. Hoe constantly round about tho plants. AVeak liquid manuro ' made from cow manure and soot .should ho applied once a week aftjj'r a good watering. Or Joz. of guano may bo added to every gallon of water used for watering: Guano may be bought at :i seed merchant's, and is therefore within tho Teach of all gardeners.

Cabbage, ciuiliflower, aiul celery spcdlings may still lio planted out. I'irst water Hie ground ttioroiiglily. As soon as it is dry enough nt;nin to work, plant out tlm seedlings. Slindo t.limn from the Run till they are v:oll estaWislied, and do not allow tliein to suffer from dryness at the roots at all, or tho crops will Ira spoilt. It takes a. little trouble to bring winter greens through the hot weather. Watering, constant lioeinsr. and.daily .syringing of tho leaves ;ire all necessary, but il: is seldom that the work goes unrewarded. Hoo daily between.the rows of French beans, peas, carrots, turnips, etc., that aro coming on. Constant liocing keeps croDS growing steadily. Tho following Mods may .bo sown, where necessary.—Cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce. Sow in seed pans in moist, but not wot, soil. ICeep thn pans shaded from thp sun till tho seedlings are up. Carrot: Sow thinlv in drills 12 inches apart. Turnip: Sow in ground that was richly manured for a previous crop. Mnko tho ground very firm, and thoroughly saturate it with vntcr several hours before sowing the soed.. Sow thinly iu drills 12 inches apart. Shade the drills from tho hot sun till the seedlings sye up; then hno con.-tnTi.tly. Silver bent. , Sow in deeply-dup , . fairly rich soil in drills 18 inches'apart. Thin out the seedlings to one foot apart. Gardfin, Notes next: week will contain seasonable notes about: Wiriter-Nqwering sweet pons, early-flowering gladioli, and vegetables. As Sandy Jlagilly was boiling his billy TCe said -to his mato with a moan. "I'm stiff, Fm cold, I'm feeling quite old, And I'm aching right thro' to the lmne." So id his mate, with a smile, "Wait here awhile; Tn my swnp I have, something that's sii.ro To put you right for the rest; of tho: night— • ! ' ■ ; It'o called AN'oods' Great; Peppermint Cure."-Advt.