GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 10, 6 October 1917, Page 13

GARDEN NOTES

(Bj "Kowhai.")

ANSWERS TO COKKESPOJ»"DEN!rS. "Bluo ' Argentino Pea, ,, Eketahuni, wi'iicri:—"l nuu some bluu peas jU6I two years old!this month, which liowored very well last yc:ir, and wow,' just coming into flowor aeiiiij when Buddcnly they began to droop, aud gradually did. i. cncloso a jpieco Tor you Io look at. and would bo vow jpicueod. i[ you could tell me tho reason why they died." 1!on peas seem to havjj bwn attacked by a root fungus disease. Every scrap of the bush, aud especially the roois, should bo burnt. If any weeds, such, as. docks, sorrel, etc., were growing near they 100 should bo due up and burnt. Kainit. or sulphate of potash worked into the soil checks tho undereround spread of infection. "J.D.," Jlaeterton, eefcs:—"Can you tell me what to do to bulbs that come up and do not flower? Home of ours ha-vo been in he ground for a Dumber of years, and last year I lifted some and planted them again in the autumn. Hardly any (lowered, and dozon3 of tho onr.s, which w«r« not lifted' did not flower pither, -whereas others in ano.ther bed flowered profusely, and are still doing so. If you can/explain the reason I shall lie very grateful." The Bowerjng ot narcissi depends Tory much upon tho proper ripening of the bulbs. It is -as well to lift bulbs every two or three years, for their increapc soon causes them to bo overcrowded. Jtnch. depends upon the lifting being dono at the right- time. This should not be until.tho foliage has did: down naturally, probably about the end of November or early in December. ■ Narcissi have finished flowering nour, but their foliage is doinsr very -important work etoringi up food for next year. It. should on no account be cut or removed till it' has finished this work, but should be left to dip down naturally. The bulbs, when lifted, should be spread on dry, cool shelves to dry, and may then be packed awa.y till planting time. I liko to get -mire back into the ground again during February. They should certainly not be kept out of the ground later than~ March. The soil should not be too rich, and animal manure should not be used. Nice, dean, -vrell--worked Eoil with a little sand in it does very well for narcism. Boned>u6t at the rate of 4oz. to squnre yard should be worked into tho soil at planting ,time. When the time comes round have the ground all ready for tho bulbs before taking them from their bo/efi. Bring out as many ae you think you can plant in one day, and spread, them out. in tho sun till they are warmed through. Then plant e.t once in the nrepared soil, taking care that the bulbs rest on.a firm M. -and, if possible, on a thin layer of sand.

POLTAUTHUS PBntROSEB. Violet borders are no longer so attractive as they, have been during the long winter months. The beautiful fragrant, flowers are over, and. the plants are malting a. strong, thick growth of leaves. It is to the borders of primroses arid polyanthus primroses that we ■ now turn for. flowers and fragrance. It .Iβ a good season lor polyanthus primroses. The plants have appreciated the unlimited amount of moisture they have been able to absorb, and no sooner Mi the Tvanner woather come than they pu6hed up biff flower buds, and opened beautifully fragrant flowers. ' 14c white, cream, and yellow shades are generally considered mo3t showy, but for those -who prefer darker colours .there are .rich shades of' red and crimson. Burin? dry weather polyanthus primrose plants must, be Driven plenty of water. They are thirsty subjects, but given all the water they need, and an occasional dose of soot water, they repay one by producing groat bunches of bloom on good strong stems. Polyanthus primroses aro easily raised from feed. It should be sown now in seed pans. The seed is slow to germinate, and the soil in the pans must he kept moist and shaded, till tho seedlings are up. They ■will be ready for plartvnc out in the autumn, and will be good-sued, flowcrbearintr plants by the following snrine. Old plants may be broken up and replanted ft? Foon as the flowerinir si'n?on id over.. Jtix some leaf Foil and plenl-v of well-rotted manure with the soil, and dig deplv. • After planting, water H'b •plan! 9 very thoroughly,-and spread a light mulch all .about thorn. , The ; best position for polyanthus primroses is one fncirie the south, or oni- whern they will be shaded during. Hip middle of the day.

: : . '.> BOTJTTNE WORK. •liily. of: itho . Valley .—There has not boon much need for watering this eoason, bill should , there be a. fow hot, dry days, tho plants -will ncod this attention. Weak liquid manure should bo givon at regular intervals to keep up the duality of the lovely little flowers. I Fi'ccsias.—Prcesias that aro still flowering in tho garden should be treated iu I,hc same way as Lily of the Valley. Soot water is a. good liquid manure to use for both plants. Those in .pots that have finished flowering; must not be neglected. Continue supplying water lo tho bulbs, but In ever smaller quantities, till tho foliage dies down. 'The pots may thun be- stored away In a. dry placo, with the bulbs still in them, or the bulbe may bo lifted and stored in papor bags. , Sparajis is making a. brilliant display nt present. The bulbs must not be allowed to suffer from want of moisture- at any time during the flowering scnson. Remove all faded flowers to allow tho succeeding flowors to develop and be as lino as the first, lot. Tulips arc now claiming'attention from the gardener. Sla-ke-. and tie in the. flowerKtalks where nerossary. Giic the plants treak doses of soot valer once a, week. Keep anemones well supplied with water. I'riok a. little boncduM, into the soil about, the plants and water it in. The buds come crowding up so last that the flowers need constant, picking to givo those coming on a. , chance to be biK and lonff-atemmed. Any dead loaves should be at once removed.. Turn over rubbish neaps at intervals, and sprinkle limn over to prevent enr smell coming from them. Keep storing weeds, dead flowers, grass clippings, cte., and rotting them down to provide mitnrial for digging into the garden or for mulching.

VEGETABLES. In sowing seeds ol all varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, and 'iettnee.. great care must be Lakeii.to keep the eoU inoist till the 6eedlingt> : aro well up; iiven then the EecdJings must not be allowed to suffer Irom dryness at tho roots at all. When put out into tho garden tlie plants must be kept watered till they are established, and must then be hoed constantly. Should the seedlings bo allowed to suffer from dryness at the roots at any time, tho plants arc liable to bolt.instead of forming hearts. Cabbage, lettuce, etc.. that ere in the garden now, should be syringed thoroughly with clear water as often as possible to keep away aphis. Hoo the ground constantly, and feed with a. weak solntion ot nitrate of soda when the ground is thoroughly saturated with water or rain. Pick off and burn all dead leaTes. ' ' . . ■ Attend to the .prompt thinning out- o[ seedling'carrots, parsnips, etc. Dust soot along tho rows, and hoe frequently. Earth up early potatoes H3 they ffro*. Before earthing up sprinkle a, very little nitrate of soda, round the plants, and water it in. As soon as llio earth, is dry enough again, hoc it. and then eartn up. Try always to do the earthing up wlien- the soil is thoroughly warmed by the 6«n. It should be wither moist, but, uot sufficiently so as to stick to the hoe. and quite -warm. Never earth up when the soil is damp anil told. Continue planting maincrop potatoes. Reeds Hint may be sown this week a.ro I'll! seed irans-Toraalo, celery, cucumber. Cape gooseberry, cabbage, cauli Bower. In the open ground—Beet, onion, radish, carrot, turnip, peas, broad beans, parsnip?, and lettuce. Plant, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce. Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes aoout:-Violets, routine wort,, and vccetoblcß.