GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 116, 2 February 1918, Page 15

GARDEN NOTES

IH.v "Kowlwi.")

EARLV FIiOWEIUNCJ SPRING BULBS. Mvery second or third year it becomes ntce.sury UI liit. nareias) buibs. ii letl, in tno ground too ioiis the uuliis become over-crowueu, and unless mey have roomlor lull (levelonnienL cannol be expeetea to Hower Rauaiai-torily. As a rule, buibs are iilij-xl ;i t ; 3 ooii ao the aoliage ripens, and are stored in a cool, dry place tilt planting time comes round usuiu. liut very olien the busy amateur u'anlener lias not time to lift ins bulbs jtiH then, aitu they aro left in the ground'..(lining summer. At approaeii of bulb planting time, however, his thoughts turn oncemoro to tho bulbs which are still awaiting a little necessary attention. Tlie time has now arrived when it is fatal to longer postpone work among them. It is a- wellknown fact that the longer bulbs are in the ground before iloweriug time, the bet. lor. They have then time to make strong and plentiful roots, which' will later- be such a support to l-he flowcts to be produced. Bulbs which have been undisturbed for two or three years should now bo lifted with as little delay aB possible. Those that have already started to make root (should be replanted in their new homewithout. delay. Those that arc still dormant and dry may bo exposed to -full sunlight to be warmed through before being replanted. Thorough ripening of tile bulbs is necessary for successful flower production.. The bnlbs.that are being sunbaked should be covered at night, and then replanted next day. In the meantime, the ground that they are to occupy should ho forked over, and a supply of leaf-mould or decayed vegetable rubbish thoroughly mixed with it. Bonedust at the rate of 40z.-t.o the squaro ynrd may be pricked inti the. top soil. When planting the bulbs on the following day. spread some river sand or fino road grit at the bottom of each hole for tho bulbs to rest on. and. if possible, surround the hulbs with sand before covering with earth. Press the earth firmly round the bulbs. Always avoid mixing fresh manure with the soil' in which bulbs are to be planted. If it is used at all it should be dug in well below the bulbs, or a mulch of well-rotted manure may bo spread over tho surface of tho soil after the planting is finished. In preparing a new site for bulbs the following instructions should be carried out-:—Jtark nut the Bpace. to be occupied by the bulbs, then remove a strip of top soil from one end of the bulb garden, and lav it. aside in a barrow. Now break up thoroughly the sub-soil thus revealed, and mixwith it decayed garden rubbish, or thoroughly rotted stable manure, and plentv of road grit: Heavy clay soils should hove coal .cimlei-s in addition lei plenty of grit. Now remove'tho top soil from the I next strip of garden, and place it oil the first strip of well-worked tub-6oil. Proceed to treat tho second htrip of sub-, soil in the same way as the first was treated, and then, nlace the top soil from the third strip on it.. The last strip of subsoil will bo covered by the top soil that is in the barrow. Now work into the whole of tho top soil some sand, a little wood-ash or rubbish-fire ash. ri'.d somo leaf soil. Hub the leaf soi' to a fine tilth with the bands before adding it to the bed. For manure the following is good;—4oz. of bonedust and loz. of sulphate of potash to tho square yard. A bed that lias been occupied by bulbs for several years may be treated in tho samo way. First dig up the bulbs, sort out the large and the small ones, and spread them out for a sun hath (provided no growth has start-, ed). Any thai have started' growth should be laid under a shady tree, and should be covered with damp sand or woodashes till their garden bed is ready. When planting bulbs, place a layer of river or silver sand for them to rest on, and Bee that they. arc on a firm base. Bulbs dislike standing in cold, stagnant water during winter; hence the need for working tho sub-soil. Bulbs dislike being prodded with the hand fork during weeding operations; hence the need for neat marking sticks. Bulbs like leafmould. sand, and potash. Bulbs like to havo a- long time in which to make their roots; hence the need for early planting. Bulbs that reouirc very parly planting aro:—Paper white, polyanthus-narcissi, snowllakes, snowdropß, crocuses, scillas, chionodoxa, frccyas. Roman bvru-inths, grape hyacinths, and lilium caudidum. ' FREESTAS. Frccsias arc among the most charming of the early spring flowers. Their delightful fragrance alone is eutUciciit to emlea.i' them to all lovers of llowcrs, but their beauty of form and their ability to keep fresh over a lengthy period also contribute largely towards their,. . By, planting ui different'tinies,' and in' different ways, one may havo freeeias in bloom for quite a long time. Coming, as they do, during the dull dayH of late winter, they a-ro especially wolcome. Tho bulbs of tho old freesia-, refraota alba, are sn cheap that they are within the rcaxdt of everyone, mid 0110 can still derive a great amount of pleasure out of a box full of this old variety. The hybrids are wonderfully interesting, and very beautiful, comprising, as they do, such delicato shades of pink, lavender. primroHe, etc. Frecs-ias may bo grown in. Ihe open border, >n boxes or pots on a sunny vcrandi-h and in pots an<l bowls in a sunny window. In tho garden fi-ceaiau like a light, saudy soil, enriched with well-rotted manure, thoroughly decayed vegetable rubbish, or leaf-mould, and a little iionedust. The bulbs should be placed on a firm bed, and should be ritflinst on a layer of sand. There should be ono inch of soil above them when the planting is finished. Kerosene tins, cut in half au:l painted dark green, are very suitable for growing freesias in. JTake plenty of holes in the bottom of tho tins, and put in a. good layer of broken pieces of pots, or some pebbles, for drainage. The soil should consist of a. mixture of good garden soil, sand, and well-rotted manure, or well-decayed vegetable rubbish. Mix theso ingredients together thoroughly with the hands before filling the tins or potH. The bulbU shoulit be planted fairly deep, and they should be one inch apart each way. Hive tho pots a good watering, and bury them, up to their rimß in a- bed or wood-ashes in a shady place. This will give the bulbs a ohanco to make good roots l.cfare top growth begins. Freesia? must have si, long period of growth before the flowering season; therefore, early planting is most necessary. To ensure good flowers, plant large, well-riperfcd bulbs, soon .as growth begins frccsias require plonty of sunshine, and plenty of water, especially soot water. VEGETABLES. The main work in the- vegetable garden at present is persistent, hoeing. Winter greens must bo protected, from tho possibility of dryness at the roots by proper mulching and sufficient watering. Draw tho earth up about tho stems as the plants grow. Savoys, broccoli, etc., may Btill be planted. Plant leeks six inches apart in rows a foot apart, or in shallow trcuches. Tlte soil should be deeply dug and' well enriched with well-rotted manure. 1 As soon as any ground becomes vacant-, clear away the rubbish and burn it. The ground should then be forked over and made firm again by trampling, and a- fresh crop of some sort should be put in. Don't allow ground to be left to the mercy of every weed that chooses to need there. If it is not needed for a further crop at present, sow a crop of oat?, mustard, peas, or turnips to bo dug iu later for green manure. Runner beans should bo kept well trained up their supports. Keen the pods regularly pickcd off French heans and peas. Kven if there are more than can be used in tho hqnisc, pick them, given them away, or etrn bury them: but don't leave them to ripen on the plants. Once plants begin to ripen seed, their season of usefulness is practically over. Wake frfouent s'li.ill sowi"*": or leiluee. endive, and radish. 0«s lettuces should be tied up lo ensure. |i/-ir centres being blenched. Padiphos should I-" town brnndraal in "le'i. fivi" ground, and in a «hndy border. Keep ri. Bb:irp lnot'-ont, for pplii leave;' end sir!" shoots on celery nlnnK and remove them at once. See that, the ninety are well mulched with ivell-rettod manure and leaf po : l mix"''. Water nud liquid manure may be annulled til rmi pi' th" mulch. Before eartViifr up. give ilie planf.o a thorough Rn"k'ig. Favth up a little at a time, ;i"d do net h" in too great a hurry In w">ni-nc» blanching. Oil r.'-iM Vnt'-'i pert will ennlaiu «"n»oraiil(> n«<»a about: (VMinlions. spring-ti'i-vc-inrr hul'n. ar.'l vcetaWes.