GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3118, 23 June 1917, Page 15

GARDEN NOTES

(U.v "Kowhai.")

CHRI'SAHTHKXIUMfI. Ohrysanthcninin plants that have Bniehed flowering should .bo cut back to tho ground. Romo plants may already havo made new growth from tho roote. If this in tho caso tho new growth also should bo cut down -level with, tho ground. In 11, few weeks' strong new shoots will appear, and theso aro tho ones that aro to mako next year's plants. If tho plants cannot bo left where they uro till the new shoots- appear, they may bo lilted, with a pood ball of earth, and planted in a row in a sparo part of the vegetable- garden. Many growers prefer to lift their plants, so that they may at once fork over tho bod anil make a sowing of oats. Tho oats, when dug in as green manure later on, put tho bed into fine condition for tho future plants, and help to provide moisture for tho roots of tho chrysanthemums during dry weather. If thcro has been any trace of rust among chrysanthemum plants, tho stems and leaves should bo carefully removed and burnt. No affected leaves should he left to lie about on tho gardens. DOTJTISE WORK. TJio blue everlasting pea is making rapid growth at present. Every few days there aro strong shoots ready to bo trained into place. See that tho stakes aro quite strong, for tho plant is fast approaching its flowering tcason. An occasional application of weak liquid manure or soot-water after a shower of rain will ibe of great benefit to tho plant. ' Keep tbo vines of swoet peas well trained up their supports. Tho surface of tho soil about the plants should, bo kept loose and free from weeds. Dust soot over hyacinths as they push through tile soil. Slugs aro particularly fond of tho tender tips that first appear. Clumps of bulbs must be kept freo of weeds. Paper-white is already in flower, and polyanthus narcissi aro hurrying along towards breaking into bloom. Dust soot that has been well exposed to the ail , among bulbs to keep away slugs, but. bo sparing with it. A heavy dressing of 6oot may do more harm than Rood. Attend to the staking of wallflowers and stocks. They are top-heavy -plants, ami a strong wind works much havoc with them.

Gather together all stakes that aro not needed at present, sharpen the ends eo that they may be ready for use. and then store them away in a dry place. Outtings of roses, carnations, antirrhinums, pentstemous, etc., may still bo taken. They may be planted in rows m a spare corner of tho garden. Press the earth very firmly round tho base 'of tho cuttings, end havo a layer of sand in tho bottom of tho drills for them to rest on. ■At this time of tho year they aro no furtheV trouble. Tho ground is naturally damp, and tho smi not too hot. When tho ground is -wanted in tho spring, the cuttings -will have developed into nice little plants ready for planting out. For rose-cuttings take shoots that havo borne a. flower. Cut off the faded flower, and use about six inches of the- stem. Remove tho lower leaves, and plant the cutting very firmly in sandy soil. Hose cuttings had better bo struck -where they can remain for a. year. Yiolet plants should be given weak sootwatcr every few weeks. Keep stirring tho surface-soil about the plants. Soot-water— Put. some soot in a bag of coarse material (sugar-bag), and stand it jn water for a few days. When using the liquid for manure dilute it 'with clear ■water till it is tho colour ot weak lea. Not only is this a.- good manure, but it is n, splendid wash with which, to syringe tho loaves of plants. Carrots, onions, and turnips are all benefited 'by applications of soot, or by doses of weak soot-water. Azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, sweet peas, bluo everlasting pea, violets, and frcesJas that are forming their buds should all be Riven soot-water now. Soot-water ii tho safest manure to use for pofrplants,

VEGETABLES. SHALLOTS. The preparing of the bed and the planting of shxllots is one of our most pricing duties in the vegetable garden during the present month. It is usual to plant off-sets or" little, bulbs, and those should bo procured now as soon as -possible. The bed for shallots undergoes much tho samo. preparation as that, for onions. Trench the ground, working into tho bottom spit plenty of decayed rubbish. Mix it thorough* with the soil. Xteturn the top soil, and mil with it some wood or rub-bish-fire nehes. and a dressing of bonedust (about 4 to 6oz. to tho square yard). Blacken tho surface soil-with soot if you have it. licfore planting tho off-sets, make tho surface soil very firm by trampling all over it. This must bo dono only when tho soil is in good working condition. To tramplo over wetlica-vy soil would be the greatest mistake. Old gardeners have a rule that shallots should be pla.nted on tho shortest day, and harvested on the longest day. It is a. fairly safe rule to follow, always provided tho soil, is in good condition for planting. As soon as tho bed is all roadv mark off drille twelve inches apart, Hnd 'havo the offsets eix inches apart in tho rows. Simply press each offset into the ground till the bulb is about holfburicd. Keep the bed free from weeds, and hoe between the rows frequently. Whenever soot is obtainable, blacken tho soil between the rows with, afterwards hoeing it in. PEAR. A further small sowing of peas may bo made. Those that were sown n. few -weeks ago are now several inches high. Begin hoeing between tho rows as soon as tho preen shoots appear above the ground. A's you hoe. draw the earth towards Hit rows. This gives the plants a- gradual earthing-up. Provide bushy sticks or pieces of manuka brush for the tiny plants to rli-ng to until they arc tall enough to fasten to tho slakes. Even at this time of tho year slugs must bo guarded against. Time, boot, nr wood-ashca may he sprinkled along tho rows, but it is better. still to trap tho slugs or to go out hunting for them after dark. . .Sparrows aro always good at finding out where peas have liecn sown. They <lo not always vrait. for tho green shoots to appear, hut dig up and eat the seed. Threads ot black cotton stretched along will generally keep them away. POTATOES. Trtnch and prepare the pround for potatoes whenever opportunity offers, and get in your orders early for seed. It i« aa well to get the seed in time to sprout it before planting. This is done by standing the .-:eed potatoes up on end in shallow boxes in a good light. Tho sprouts thus produced are strong and sturdy. Potatoes that are allowed to sprout whilo they are in bags or heaps produce long weak shoots. Thoso who havo their own seed stored away should look over it frequently to prevent the production of these useless weakly shoots. Potatoes that are stored away for cookiti" should also be frequently looked over, and any pproiits rubbed out. Bad potatoes should bo at once removed.. Those who have » light, well-drained soil, and a position free from frost could make a, small planting of potatoes in twn or three weeks' lime. The seed should be stood up in boxes now tn sprout. This first planting is not always a success, but if it i« the now potatoes nre most enjoyable eo.early in the season. ■ Thoso who havo not yet tried an early planting of potatoes- in their gardens could experiment with just ono row in case of disappointment.

"Garden Notes" next, wnek will contain seasonable notes about:—Rhododendrons, roses; and vegetables.