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Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3100, 2 June 1917, Page 13

MICHAELMAS DAISIES. When woll-erown, Michaelmas daisies are a perfect glory in tho autumn garden. The plants are very hardy and increase rapidly. Old roots should now bo lifted and brokon up, strong Pieces Irom tho outsido being planted back again. Every year there is some addition to the ranks of these beautiful (lowers. Gardeners can obtain now quite a. collection of plants. Almost every shade of lavender and purple is represented, the flowers varying also in sizo, and tho bushes in height and habit. White Michaelmas daisies are always beautiful, and may be had with either email or largo flowers,' Several shades of pink are also obtainable. Michaelmas daisies like a fairly rioh soil; with plenty of well-decayed manure, or well-decayed vegetable rubbish mixed with it. Old bushes should bo lifted and broken up every- two years. Early in January a little bonedust should bo pricked into the soil about the plants, and if possible a mulch of woll-decayed ■ manure should be snread round them. .The following varieties aro all , beautiful:—Brilliant. bright-crimson, climax, large clear blue, Hon. .Edith Gibbs, pale blue, flowers, branching habit; Mrs. T. G. Day. rosy pink; Mrs. 6. T. Wright, rosy purple; Rosy Morn, brilliant pink; St. Edwin, large soft pink; William Marshall, clear mauve. . The following extract is taken from a copy of "Tho Garden";—" The thanks of all lovers of autiunii flowers are due : to those enthusiasts who must have given much of their timo and patience to bring about such a great improvement in this indispensable race of hardy plants. It'seems but a few years ago since the plants were considered of such little importance that it was seldom they were given much prominence, their chief use in many instances beino; to block out unsightly corners, and to dump them down in the shrubbery -wherever .they could be placed without much trou'blo. This course waa to a certain extent understandable on account of the inferior .quality of the then known varieties. But poor asi they were in comparison with some popular varieties today, they had not a. chance to show what effect they were'' capable of producing, as there were few who thought it worth while to dovoto a littlo timo with tho spade, and least of all anything in tho shape of manure, to their surroundings." This haphazard method has, however, altered with the' improvement of the race, and, even in places; where they wero slow to import .tho new additions, tho effect of well-dug and manured ground became evident on tho old 6tock when, in responding to the demand for tho moro gorgeous of hardy plants, si fow wore made uso of to fill in the background of a nowly-mado border, which was, of courso, duly prepared in a proper manner. At Kew, in addition to tho position usually allotted to them in tho herbaceous border, tho opportunity of massing them alono and in conjunction with the bordor chrysanthemum has been seized, tho result boing an effect equal to any of tho season, aa' both flower at tho same timo, and tho bright colours of tho chrysanthemum, > especially tho Masse family, are seen to great advantage among the bluo and violet shades of the daisies. ' '•• For this or any other sohomo of planting to be successful it must be undorall Michaelmas daisies appreciate a good, deep soil that haß been woll enriched with mannro, as they aro very vigorous in their root action. They must have nuiplo space, so that cacli shoot may appear to tho best advantage. It is a poor method to have a plant tied in tho middle like a wheat sheaf; tho beauty in such a specimen is completely .lost. '• This is bosidos a most wasteful practice, as, instead of each main stem having vigorous side shoots ilown, to tho.ground, thero is nothing irorth cutting but inferior bunches at tho top. From a well-grown plant, ono to threo shoots neatly staked out will jivo a far better return in a moro jraceful manner than threo times' their number badly grown and overcrowded. Ellis method'entails a severe thinninglilt of the shoots in early spring, which nay perhaps appeal - rather wasteful to;hose who have not as yet experienced ho effect in tho autumn. Onoe it is ,iiod, kowovor, tho Buporiority of tho

sjii-ays that are available for (ratting will iilono render the oM bimchiug-up procosa a thing of tho past. VEGETABLES. SILVER BEET. In eiimiy, well-drained gardens roots of hi Ivor beet ni.-i.r still bo planted out for spring , use. At this tuno of tho year planting should bo dono ouly when the soil is friable, : -that is, when it will cruinblo jn tho linnds. Silver beot likes a rich, dnoply-worked foil, and an open, snimy position. A part of the garden where plenty of vegetable niattor hne been dug. in recently snita it well. Later on tho beet plants nmy bo lifted, and potatoes or so.mo other root crap can take thoir place. All tiro hoeing and stirring up of the soil that is necessary for the succeSKiW cultivation of silver beet ivill help to put it into fmo condition for tho root crop t<) follow. Those who already have* a. .crop of this useful vegetable coining on Bhould hasten ita growth as much jis ptwsible. Hoe \rheneyev tho soil is in b<vml condition, and (,'ivo jiitrato of soda (lViz. in ono gallon of water) at regular intervals. Garden Notes next wAok lull contain seasonable notes about! , ' lilinms, dellihimims, an<[ r-egetablce., Mr. R. A. Nieol has u special notice to the gnrdening public thart ho is removing his seed store to new premises, Courtonny Place (opp. liod's, butoher). Woods' Great Peppermint! Cure For Coughs and Colds, mjver tails. .

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