GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3094, 26 May 1917, Page 13

GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhai.") ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Inquirer," Johnsonvillo, writes:— "Could you tell mo tlio best means of keeping a quantity of parsnips in. a pardon where sand is not obtainablo ?' . The parsnips may be stored in a spare corner of the garden. Place a layer of parsnips ou tho ground and cover them with a few inches of eaTth. Add another layer of parsnips, and thou another of earth. PETUNIAS. The present is a good tima for increasing the stock of petunias. Plants that wero cut back some weeks ago havo now a good many young shoots that make excellent cuttings. Petunia cuttings root very easily if they are planted in pans in sandy soil. Keep the soil moderately moist. Plants that have finished flowering should be cut back to within a few inches of tho ground. They will soon throw up a number of now shoots, and will begin flowering quite early in the spring, continuing all through the summer regardless of drought and hot winds. Petunias are invaluable in districts that are subject to summer droughts. I have seen plants go through the hottest and driest summer, . and they were a continuous mass of beautiful flowers. Double-fringed petunias are wonderful, but inclined to bo just a little heavy. Single-fringod petunias are absolutely exquisite. Somo varities have deep yellow throats and veins, others are so rich in colouring and texture that it is.hard to believe that they are not made of velvetj. The colours range from pure white to lavender, pink, rose, and deep purple. Tho flowers are splendid for cutting, for they last well in water. ROUTINE WORK. Polyanthus Primroses.—Break up large roots of polyanthus primroses and plant back strong young pieces. Dig the soil very deeply, for the plants send their roots down to a good depth, and add to it plenty of leaf-mould, well-rotted manure, and sand. It is surprising how much finer and more freely-produced tho flowers are when •well-rotted manure is added to the soil. By dividing' up the plants each year, and replanting the pieces in carefully-prepared and enriched soil, one gets enormous bunches of flowers on long, thick stems. Grown under these conditions, borders of polyanthus primroses make a great show in the spring garden. They are such lovely' flowers, the colours being so pure and dainty, and the scent so delightful. Heliotrope.T-Cuttings of heliotrope may be taken now. Even tiny shoots will root' readily if planted in pots in sandy soil. Where plants run the risk of being "cut" by frost they should be cut back, and should have dead leaves and well-decayed manure heaped about them.

_ Pelargoniums.—Pelargoniums, growing in exposed positions, should bo cut back, and should have dead' leaves heaped about them. Cuttings root ' easily if planted firmly in a sunny position, where frost cannot reach thorn. Place a layer of sand iu the drill for the base of tho cutting to rest on. As soon as growth commences'tho cuttings may bo pinched back to make them "break".freely and grow into bushy specimens. Carnations—Plant out Tooted layers and rooted cuttings of carnations in their permanent' quarters. Begonias (tuberous-rooted).—As soon as frost "cuts" the plants lift tho tubers and spread them for a few days on a shelf, in a shed to dry. They niav then be stored in sand or 'dry earth for the winter.

Perennials.—Pcrenninls that have fin-, ished flowering ■ should be cut back to within a few inches .of the ground. Somo of tho clumps may need lifting and breaking up. Strong pieces from tho outside of the clump should be planted back. ' ■

Dahlias.—As soon as dahlias are over they should bo cut back and tho tubers lifted. ' Thcso may bo stored under a tank or under tho shelter of an overgrcen tree. Each clump of tubors should have tho namo attached to tho stem. Woodashes or soil may then. be heaped over the tubers to keep them plump and firm. The ground where'dahlias have been growing -and flowering all tho summer -will bo much impoverished. It should now be thoroughly turned over, and should have some manuro dug into it. I'ailing manuro, dig in decayed vegetable rubbish and some bonednst. .

Gerbora.—Gerbora plants may bo protected from frost by placing pieces of manuka brush round them. Lobelia.—A number of lobelia plants should bo lifted, planted in tins or boics, and put in a sheltered place till frosts aro over. They will then be ready to follow primroses in the borders in spring. Seedlings.—Seedling pansics, /violas, poppies; larkspurs, godotias, clarkias, sweet scabious, antirrhinums, pentstemons, star of tho veldt, annual gypsophiia, etc., should all be planted out as early a3 possible. Most of tho above will flowor early in October if they are planted 'out now. Labels, etc.—Esamino sticks that are marking tho position of bulbs, etc., to see if they need to bo replaced. Labels should bo looked over and renewed where necessary. Bulbs.—Placo a layer of cow manure over hyacinths' and narcissus (olbus plomis odoratus). It is difficult to got either, of these to flower really well without a winter coating of cow manure. Liliums should have their stems removed, and should: also have a covering of cow manure. Violots:—Keep all runners cut off and work into the soil about the plants a little bonedust or soot every few weeks. Gladioli—The leaves of early flowering gladioli are already several inches high. See that the stakes are ready in place, and keep the clumps quite free from weeds. A little bonedust may be sprinkled in among the green stems. It will soon work down among the corms. Mignonette—Thin out mignonette seedlings till the plants are a foot apart each way. The intervening spaces will soon be filled in, and the flowers will be all the finer when the plants havo plenty of room. • j '.•..'•

Lifting Plants.—A few plants of 6alvia bonfire, pelargoniums, or chrysanthemums may be lifted before they are affectod. by frost, and planted in tins. The Boil is nico and damp now, and eaoh plant may bo lifted with a good ball of earth about the roots. If they are put into the tins at once, and shaded from tho sun for a day or two, the plants will scarcely feel tho movo. Thoy may bo transferred then to a sheltered verandah, sunny window, or. greenhouse, and will go on flowering for some timo. Salvia lifted in this way and kept in tins during tho winter may bo put back into the Harden in. the spring, and will thoh. grow into largo handsome hushes. ' Freesias —Freesias that are well up in pots or boxes should bo moved to a sunny position. Keep them well supplied with tepid water. Plenty of sunshine and; sufficient water are what they need during the next few weeks.

VEGETABLES. Tho following seed- may be sown this week where necessary:— Peas.—Sow in drills from two to three feet apart. The ground should' be trenched and manurod, and should havo wood ashes mixed with it. Dust bonedust in the drills when sowing. Broad Beans—Sow in drills from two to three feet apart. The ground should be deeply dug, and should have a good dressing of lime worked into it.

Carrot (Short Horn).—Sow thinly in well-worked ground in drills, 12 inohes apart. Wqrksome soot and a sprinkling of boncdust into the soil before sowing the seed.

Onions.—Work into the soil plenty of soot, some rubbish firo ash, and a dressinn of boncdust. Make tho soil very firm by treading on it, but take caro not to tread when it is very wet. Sow tho seed in drills 12 inches apart. Lettuce.—Sow thinly in drills 15 inches apart, in a sunny part of the garden. The ground should be deeply dug, well' enriched with well-decayed manure, and made'firm again. Cabbage and Cauliflower (early varieties).—Same treatment as for lettuce. Dust soot alone tho rows of vesetablo seedlings at every opportunity.' Keep a sharp look-out for slugs. Watering with a weak solution of 6alt—loz. in 1 gallon of water—helps to keep thorn in check. iHoe' on warm sunny days. 'Make the earth firm round cabbage, broccoli, etc,

plants nffc.r heavy wind. Reop booing between tlio plants and enrthmj tlicm. up. Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about lilac, myrtle, Michaelmas daisies, and vegetables.