GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 81, 29 December 1917, Page 13

GARDEN NOTES

. : (By "Kowhai.") December 29. I wisl. all my .readers a Happy Now Year. May tiio coming year bring greater joy in the garden than any previous ouo has done.—'"Kowhai." LAVATERA. Lavateras make a brilliant show in tho summer garden. As tho plants grow fairly tall and bush out in a deligliu ul manner, au ideal placo lor them is at the back of the herbaceous border or among low-growing shrubs. As eoon as flowering timo arrives every plant becomes simply covered with masses of beautiful silken, petalled, clear pink flowers. The cultivation of tlio plants is simple in tho extreme. They seem able to adapt themselves to almost ' any soil, but . will of course givo the best results on well-pre-pared rather rich soil- As there is often some difficulty in transplanting the seedlings, it is advisable to sow the seeds whero the plants are intended to grow. As soon as the seedlings are up, they should be thinned out to at least two feet apart each way. In common with many flowering plants, lavateras are particularly showy when tho plants aro massed. Anions varieties Sutton's Loveliness is i perhaps tho most beautiful, for the colour of tho lovely rose-pink flowers is intensified by the bronzy tint of the leaves and stems. , . Another good variety is Itosea Splendens. LIQUID MANURES. The most satisfactory liquid manure for Jill purposes is made as follows:—Put into au old sugar-bag some cow dung and about a shovelful of soot. Place this in an old tub of water and leave it for a few days. A strong stick should bo laid across tho tub, and the bag of manure suspended from the Btick so that it hangs well in the water. When using the liquid add sufficient clear water to make the manure tho colour of weak tea- _ , Half an ounce of guano in one gallon of water is a very quick acting manure. One ounce of nitrate of soda in one gallon of water is very much used for vegetables. Soot-water is a splendid manure for all purposes, and 13 a very safe one to use for pot plants. It helps to keep wire worms away from plants in the garden. To make, put sot in a Sag of coarse material, and suspend it from a stick placed across a benzine tin in water for a few days. When using the liquid for manure, dilute it irith clear water till it is the colour of weak. tea. Carrots, onions, turnips, celery, azaleas, rhododendrons, camellias, Bweet peas, and carnations are all benefited by doses of weak soot, water.

HOW TO APPLY LIQUID MANHEE. When applying liquid manure take a abort stick round with you and make a little gutter round each plant. Pour the manure slowly into this gutter. It the ground does not quickly absorb the necessary Quantity, pass ?. n ,, t0 f* ext few plant's, give them a little, and then come back to the first. The ground will, by this time, bo ready to drink in some uioro manure. As soon as the necessary quantity has been absorbed, cover the dry earth over the,little gutter. • • In. this way the ground round the plants does not become caked, and the manure, instead of running all over the garden or on the path, passeß down to the rootß, where it is wanted. AXIOMS. Never apply liquid manure to ground that is ury. first saturate with deal' ICever apply liquid manure to plants that are sickly. lii summer apply liquid manure in the evening if possible. Always apply liquid manure weak. Strong manure bums tho roots and does more harm than good. Plants that need liquid manure at present:—Hollyhocks, liliums, scabious, dahlias, gladioli (that havo not bloomed), pansies, violas, asters, carnations (soot water), herbaceous phlox, climbing roses, summer rhubarb, tomatoes {if fruit is set), celery (if the plants have been m tho j ground at least one montli). . ] Give celery io£ of nitrate of aorta in one gallon of water and weak soot water alternately once a week. IKIS XAEitfPHEItI. The Japanese iris, kacmpheri, is tho last' of • a long procession of these beautiful flowers liver since May, when the pretty little iris stylo&a. commenced' :ta long flowering season, tho garden has not been without irises in flower. Those who aro Jucky enough to have a, little stream running through imv prdens, or an artificial . pond. in their grounds, should grow quantities of these beautiful flowers. They like a cool, moist rooting place," but plenty of sunshine.- The Bunuy -sido of a stream'is an ideal ;homo for them. flowers of the Japanese irises ax© larger than those of the English or Spanish varietiei, and they aro wonderfully rich in colouring, when the flowers* aro cut and brought into wo house they are exquisite, eapsoiaiiy it they are arranged gracefully with, some of thdir own foliage,, and they havo the advantage of keeping fresh m water for scrno days. • '• _ It is advisable to cut off all flowering stalks as soon. as the flowers are over. Bv doing so immediately the plants are enabled to produce large flowers for sevew ral "years without being l disturbed or thinned out. '

VEGETABLES. BUTTER BEANS. i These are oven moro delicious than French beans, and a-ro Quite as easily grovra. In appearanco the plants are much the same as French boans, but the pods are more fleshy and are crcamyyellow in .colour. , Butler beans can make" a very uselM winter vegetable If" somo of the pla^t 9 arc allowed to ripen their seed. They ehotild then' bo pulled .up by tho roots, the leaves should bo snipped off, and the plants hung up in & dry shed The beans may bo shelled as they are required, and. are cooked in the eamo way as haricot • beans. - ; routine wouk.

Keep French beans and peas wdl picked. As soon as ono lot "comes in another small sowing should bo made to }jcep up a succession. Don't allow any ground to remain vacant. As soon as ono crop 1 a over prepare the ground and get in the next. Earth up cabbages as they grow. They soon become fop-heavy, ana wind blows them about, loosening the sou irom about their roots. , • ; Keep the hoo going constantly among growing crops. gavoys, broccoli, ete., that to "come in" for the winter, mast not, be allowed to suffer froui drought, where it is possible, t'ivo -Jio J onus plants a good -watering, and then spread a, light mulch about them. If this cannot be done, the hoo must be kept constantly at work providing a foil mulch. _ Shallots —Lift shajlots , ana use the ground for a further sowmp of carrots or French beans. . Peas.—As soon as ono crop of peas io oyer cut down the vines and gather tttem into a heap for burning. If tho ashes aro spread over the -ground and tho soil is lightly forked over, another crop may be put in without delay. Crops that aro coming on should bo well staked. Unless a mulch can be provided the soil should bo kept thoroughly hoed, to provide two or three inches of fine, powdery soil on the surface. Where a further sowing of peas is to be made, plenty of decayed vegetable rubbish should be dug into tie bottom spit. In vory' dry climates it is an advantage to thoroughly Boak this with ■water before returning the soil from the top spit. Turnips.—A further sowing of turnips may be made. Ground that has boon used for an early crop of peas is vory suitable. Before sowing tlio seed fork over tho Ei-ound, soak it with water, and allow the soil to settle again. Hosing must bo strictly attended to as soon as, the seedlings appear, and whenever it is possible water should be given.. Turnips need well-worked, firm roll, moisture, and quick Notes next week will contain seasonable notes alnut dahlias, roatmo work, and vegetables.