GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 119, 13 February 1919, Page 3

GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhai.") MARGUERITE CARNATIONS. Carnations of every description are a oliear delight to everyone. The colours are so beautiful, and the scent is so fragrant, more really cannot be too many grown even in a -small garden. Naturally one hankers after expensive varieties, but quite a large amount of pleasure may be derived from growing quito ordinary varieties. A packet of good seed will supply a number of fine plants, very many of them producing double flowerß. Marguerite carnations are easily raised from seed, ana if sown now and grown on without cneck will flower early in the summer, ana yield quantities of delightful flowers for cutting. Plan; out every seedling and allow it to (lower. Very often the most backward ones make the best flowers. Then, at the end of the season, undesirable varieties may bo rooted out, and the nicest may DC increased by layering or by cuttings. A light sandy soil \*th tt littlo cow manure dug into it suits carnations well. A heavy clay soil should be lightened with horse manure and sand-or road em. When the seedlings are planted out they should be woll watered, and should afterwards have frequent doses ol soot water. Occasional waterings with weak eait water suitß the plants well also. The seed should be well scaupred o\cr the seed pan. because as a rule ncaris every seed germinates. By mixing .me seed with a little Fand before sowing, one is better able to distribute it well. Marguerite carnations form nice compact bushy plants. As'a'rule they break naturally, but should they fail to do so then the top should be nipped'off as Boon as it is three or four inches high, this will, without doubt, cause the plants to "break" and send out a number of strong Bide shooK

EAELY-F£OWERING 'SPRING BULBS. Every second' or third year it hecomes necessary to lift • narcissi bulbs, if leii in the ground too lone the bulbs become overcrowded, and unless they have room for full development cannot bo expecwa to flower satisfactorily. As a rule bulbs aro lifted as soon as the foliage ripens, and are stored in a cool, dry place till planting timo comes round again, But very often the busy amateur gardener has not time to lift his bulbs just then, ana they aro left in tho ground during summer. At the approach of bulb-planting timo, however, his thoughts turn once more to the bulbs, which are still awaiting a little necessary attention. Tho time has now arrived when it is fatal to longer postpone work among them. It is a weukhown fact that the longer bulbs are in the ground before flowering lime the Better. They have then time to make strong and plentiful roots, which will later be such a support tc the flowers to he Produced. Bulbs which have been undißturborl for two or three years should now be lifted with as little delay as possible. Thoeo that have already started to make roots should be replanted at once. Inoso that are'still dormant and dry may be exposed to full sunlight to he warmed through before being replanted. Thoiougn ripening of tho bulbs is necessary for successful flower production. Tho bulbs that are being sun-baked should be ooverett at night, and then replanted next day. In tho meantime tho ground they are to occupy Bhould be forked over, and a supply of leaf-mould or decayed vegetable rubbish tlDronghly mixed with it. Bonedust at the' rate of 1 9 z. to the square yard may be pricked into the top soi. When planting the, bulbs on the follouIhit day spread some river sand or line road'erlt at the'bottom of each hole foi tho bulbs to rest on, and. if possible, surround the bulbs with sand before coveing with early, Press the earth firmly round the bulbs. Always avoid mixing fresh manuro with the Boil in 'which bulbs are to be planted. If it is used at all it should bo dug in -well below the bulbs, or a mulch of well-rotted manure,may bo spread ovor the surface 'of the soil after planting is finished. ■ . In preparing a new site for. bulb t the following instructions Bhould be carried out:-Mark out the space to be. occupied by tho bulbs, then.remove a Btrip of top soil from ouo end of the bulb garden and lay it aside in a barrow. Now break up thoroughly the subsoil thus revealed and mix with it decayed garden rubbish, or thoroughly rottod stable manuro. and plenty of road grit Heavy clay soils, should have cool cinders in addition to plonty of grit. Now remove the top soil from the next strip of garden, and place it on the (lrst strip of woll-worked subsoil. Proceod to treat the second strip, ol Bubsoil in the same way as the ■first was treated, and then place the top soil from the third strip on it. The last strip ot subsoil will be covered by the* top soil that is in the barrow. Now work into tie whole of the top soil some sand, a little wood ash or rubbish-fire ash, and some leaf-soil. Hub tho' leaf-soil to a. fine tilth with the hands beforo adding it to the bed. For manure the following is Bood>407: of'boncdust and loz. of sulphate ot potash to the square yard. A bed that has been occupied by. bulbs for several yoars may be treated in. the same way. First dig up the bulbs, sort out tho largo and tne small ones, and spread them out for a sun bath (prouded no growth has started). Any that have started growth should be laid under a slmdv tree, and should bo covered with damp Band or wood nshes till their garden bed is ready. When planting the bulbs placo a. layer of river or silver sand for them to rest on, and see that they are on a, firm base. Bulbs disliko standing in co d, stagnant water during winter; lience the need for working the subsoil. Bulbs dislike being prodded with the hand fork during weeding operations; hence the need for neat marking sticks. Bulbs like leaf; mould, sand, and potash. Bulbs like to have a long timo in which to make their roots; hence the need for early planting. Bulbs that require very early planting are;— Paper white, polyanthus narcissi, crocuses, snowdrops, snowflakes, scillas, chionodoxa, freesias, Boman hyacinths, grapo hyacinths, and lilium candidum.

VEGETABLES. MARROWS AND PUMPKINS. The vines of marrows anil pumpkins are beginning to run more freely now that the weatuor is warmer. As the season is bo late /this year, every encouragement should be given to the plants so that a sufficient quantity of fruit may bo "pencd for'winter .use. Keep weeds pulled out to allow free accoßS of sun and air. Sunwarmed water should be supplied freely, and vines that are making rank growth and very little fruit should have their tips pinched off to make them throw out laterals. As a rule the laterals bear fruit freely. ' CABBAGES, Keep a sharp lookout for the eggs of the cabbago butterfly during dry, warm weather. Look especially on the undersides of tho leaves. Wash the leaves thoroughly by frequently syringing them with clear wator. This destroys tho eggs before they can hatch out. iEEKS. A good stimulant, for leeks is loz. of nitrate of soda in one gallon of water, applied onco a week after first watering with" clear water. Leeks require an abundance of water and weak liquid manure. . ROUTINE WORK. Cabbage, cauliflower, and celery seedlings nialy still be planted out, first watering tho ground thoroughly some hours before planting. Greens, that are to go through the winter should be planted in firm ground. Conlinuo sowing, where, necessary, 6ceds of carrot, lettuce, radish, endive, cabbage, and cauliflower, Sowings of peas ami French beans may also be made, liury plenty of vegetable rubbish before sowing peas and beans. Keep the hoo at work. Weeds do not grow very big as a rule at this time of tho year, but they make up for their want of size by the fruedom with which tliev produce their seeds. Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notcß about:—Cyclaraen, popular spring-flowering bulbs, and vegetables.