GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 312, 21 September 1918, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES

,(Dy "Kowhni.")

STAR OF THE VELDT. Star of tho Veldt is a charming littlo annual. The plants . are dwarf-growing, and .the gay-coloured flowers are produced with the greatest freedom. It is a splendid subject- for filling in spaces left bare. by early-flowerinj bulbs such , as crocuses, chiouodoxa, and early narcissi, Tor the plants begiu flowering when they are .very small, and with care may be kept flowering over a long period. As tho name implies, tho plant comes to us from South Africa. The dainty daisy-like flowers arc bright orange-yellow in colour, with dark centres, aud when grown in masses the plants make a most brilliant . display. Besides the original golden-yellow flower, we have also tne beautiful hybrids. These include flowers of various shades, such as creamy-white, buff, salmon, and every possible shadp of yellow. Plants from seed sown in the autumn are already in. bloom, and the de-licately-coloured flowers open up in profusion every morning at the first touch of the sun's rays. Seed should be 60wn ■now, either in seed nans or broadcast in the garden. The seedlings should bo thinned out to a* least six inches apart eanh- way, for the plants have a delightful branching habit, and soon cover the intervening spaces. If the seedlings are left overcrowded, the plants are unable, to branch out to their full extent, and their beauty of habit is necessarily marred. • ■ An open sunny nosition is necessary for Star of the Veldt, but, as the stems of the plants are exceedingly brittle, they should be oiveu, if possible, nrotectiVn from high winds. With regard to f«il, I find that the need a mo'V- ;t0 amount or root u'*-:sture. The adnivrn to the soil of sofiie well-rojted manure or well-de-caved vegetable matter, and a little river sand, will be a help to the plants. During dry weather they will be greatly benefited by an occasional good soaking of water.

POLYANTHUS PRIMROSES. Polyanthus, primroses arc now mailing a brilliant show in the garden. Where the plants are well grown, they make one ot the most showy borders that it is possible I*o have. The yellow shades are the most effective, and specialists have so improved the strains that, with ordinary treatment, one is able to have long, thick stems bearing huge bunches ot large and brilliant flowers. Some of the white.varieties are charming, especially those that have a brilliant orango eye. During dry hot Weather the plants should be given a thorough watering occasionally. To keep up the quality of the flowers, all faded ones should be promptly removed. Some of the finest /lowers should be allowed to go to seed, for one often gets new and good varieties in this way. Polyanthus primroses are easily, raised from seed. Get good seed from a grower who specialises in these plants, and sow it in shallow pans tilled with sandy soil. The seedlings should be planted out into deeply-dug, well-enriched soil. liATHYRUS PUBESOENS. The Argentine pea (lathyrus pubescens) is fast becoming a mass of glorious blue, for the flower buds are forming and opening in quick succession. ■ The supports against which the plants are growing should. be examined to see if they arc stronz- enough to withstand the equinoctial gales. Water should be supplied to the plants as often as it is necessary, and where possible a mulch of well-decayed manuro should'be snvead round the plants. Soot water is i' splendid manure for the Argentine pea, and greatly improves the colour of the flowers. FLAG IRISES. Flag irises arc now opening their glorious blue flowers. See that the roots have sufficient water, and an occasional dose of weak liquid manure or soot water. White flag irises arc very dainty, but the flowers are so easily damaged by wind that plants should be grown in a sheltered position. ••' ARUMS. In most districts arums wore badly cut by frost, so much so that clumps are still very short of leaves, and in many, eases the fast opening (lowers have a naked appearance. A thorough watering, followed by a little weak nitrate of soda (Joi. in one gallon of water), will help the growth of leaves. If a mulch of wellrotted vegetation is spread round them, and plenty of water is provided, the clumps will soon present their usual handsome appearance. .WALLFLOWERS. Wallflowers are filling the garden with fragrance Just now, and the rich colour.", of tho flowers, especially the "blood red" shades, are a continual delight to the eye. Stout stakes should be, provided for each iplant, for equinoctial pales vn.-y be expected.at any time now. Sow seeds in sccd-pans to provide plants for next year's display. Some people root out their plants as e'oon «s tho flowering season, is over, but if they.are cut well back, and a, mulch of well-decayed manure is spread round them, they soon put forth new growth and develop, by the following spring, into large and handsome bushes.' FEEESIAS, ETC. Fi'cesias, anemones, hyacinths', and pansies are all flowcri'is well npw, and all love a good drink of clear' water, followed by ono of soot "water. Seeds of freesias, anemoneß, and pansies may be sown now in seed-pans in sandy soil. Keep faded flowers picked off pansy plants. ' VIOLETS. The flowering season- of violets is nearly over. Already the stems arc not so thick, while the flowers arc smaller and paler in colour. Strong yoiing suckers aro shooting out from beneath the crowns of tho plants. Peg down as many as aro needed for new plants. Keep cultivating the soil about violet plants, and work in a little boncdust and soot alternately. During the- next few weeks .plants will bo storing up focd for the following season. . Keep.a strict -watch for red spider. VEGETABLES. SHALLOTS. Shallots may Btill be planted, llnvc tho ground dee,ply dug aud well enriched with manure and soot. Simply push the bulbs well into the soil, but do not make any attempt to bury them. Examine tho bulbs frequently to sec if they have been loosened, and if they have, push them firmly flown. Roots soon form, and then the only attention that is needed is frequent hoeing between the rows. Keep weeds pulled out, and supply water if necessary. BRUSSELS SPROUTS. Where th'.'se are to be growu the ground should be prepared at soon as possible. It should .bo deeply dug and rich. , In small gardeus it iB better to buy a, few plants from a reliable grower, and a dwarf variety Bhould be chosen. Whero soed in.la.be sown it should be done now, cither in seed-pans pr in seed-beds'in. the open. See that the seedlings are. never allowed to suffer from drought. Oontinuo flowing the following seeds where necessary :— •• ■ ' Lettuces-Sow in drills 18 inches apart. Thin out. the seedlings In. ono foot apart. Beet.—Sow in drillß 15 inches apa.rt. Tho best eoII for beet is a, light but rich one. As manuro freshly added to the soil may spoil the roots, ueo ground that was richly manured for a. previous crop. The soil should be made" firm before sowing the seed. Sprinkle a little bonedust or superphosphate in tho drills at the time of sowing the seed. . Onions.—.Make the soil very firm by treading, on it beforo sowing. Do this only when the soil is dry. Blacken the soil with soot, several times before sowing the seed. Dust superphosphate in the drills at Hh time of flowing. Sow the seed in drills 12 inches apart. . Brown Spanish and James's Keeping are the best for keeping. . Radish.—Sow broadcast in rich, firm ground, and in a sunny position. Oarrot.-Sow thinly in drills 12 inches apart. Tnrnip.-Early Snowball or Early White Stone. Sow in ground that was richly manured for a previous crop of greens, or in ground that was manured early, ju the autumn. Mako the ground very firm. Sow thinly in drills 12 inches apart. Peas.-Sow in drills from two to three feet apart. Ground, should be trenched and manured, and should have wood ashes mixed with it. Dust boncdust, in tho drills at '.he lime .of sowing. Parsnips-Sow in ground that was well manured for a previous crop. Work the soil to a line tilth for a depth of at least 18 inches. Any lumps may cause deformed and-worthless roots. Work into the soil ashes from a rubbish fire, and a dressin" of boncdust. Garden' Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about :-I)ahlios, annuals for, present sowing, and vegetables.