GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 181, 26 April 1919, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES

.(By "Kowliai.")

PREPARING TUB GROUND FOR ROSE 3. Roao bushes have had an unhappy tinio this season. in the early pari of the summer there much rniiij during Into- summer ami autumn there has been a Bad lack o[ rain. The lone dry spell following a long wet one has mado most noils like cement, and the artificial waterins that luia' been necessary lias not improved matters. Most gardeners, however, aro optiinistie enough to still liopo for a few good blooms before winter sets ■In. : And now rose-planting time is upon us again, but, unless tlie dry weather breaks 'up it is useless to think of early planting.. The ground where the now roses aro to go should bo; prepared as soon as possible, ami ic'ocnt' rose catalogues should be sent for .no that, u selection of »«w roses may be made. Those gardeners who have a heavy clay noil--, should proeced to -prepare their ground in the following way:—Remove the lop-soil and thoroughly break up tho aubadil., mixing with it horse manure, halfdecayod leaves, road grit, sand, and ashes from a rubbish fire, Too much grit uaiinot be added, because it is such a, splendid thing for keeping a heavy soil open; •' Remember that this is your only oliance of attending to your subsoil, and do t.lio work thoroughly. The top soil can be improved from above ground at any time. ' Bos<!6 cannot thrivo in a, soil that keeps water lying round their roots during win,ter; hence the importance of breaking up ar c(ay subsoil and of making it porous. There iB nothing 'to. bo gained by making the subsoil-too rich, because roses are shallow rooters, and goodness nover comes up, but always v,-fishes further down, and so away from the loots. ... As lung as the subsoil is in good heart and well drained'that is. .all 4llat.is.nec.essarv. Ashes from the rubbish lire and decayed leaves may always .be mixed with the top soil, and when brought in contact with the roots of rosea will encourage the growth of fibrous roots. Freßh manuro should never be allowed to touch tho. roots, but at the time of planting a.'little boncdust may be. . mixed with the soil that, is to cover tho roots/ . A light sandy, soil is; on tho. other hand, too porous, and. stop's ■ must' bo taken to make it retain a certain amount -of .moisture. Remove tho top soil - , and bury coiv or pig anure,. about two feet below the surface of tho. soil. ■■ If a little clay ..nan bo mixed ■ with. ; the soil, that is to qo.ver . the manuro so much the better. This will -make a. nice foundation for the roots of the-rows, and the. clods of ma-' nuro underneath • will prevent the water draining away. too rapidly. The. treatment of the top soil is the same as for heavy soils.' I .cannot impress.upon amateurs too earnestly.- the • importanco of thorough soil, preparation before attempting to grow roses. - • " . ItOHes should bo. planted. only when the soil is friable. Should Vile ground be verywet or sticky planting should bo defered till it is drier. Some gardens are always hopelessly wet during Juno and July, and the owners should .'make a point of plantp inj early; in May.' or of postponing it till spring.- Autumn plantingihaa.an.advantage over spring planting in that the bushes will flower sooner. But if tho noil is a cold, wet one, planting- should he done early while there is still time for the roots to become established before cold weather sets it. Those who have a, well-drained > soil may plant at .almost any timo during, the winter. In planting roses make tho holes wide enough to allow, the roots to be evenly spread out to their full length. So often ■the poor plants'have their roots thrust into holes far-too'small for them. How can they- search' for and obtain food for .the plant when, they -are so cramped?. llefore planting-new -roscß have a good look at the ; i ; oots to. see if they will rest. 911 a flat base. Sometimes it ib neccs- ■ toary to make a. little mound of surface soil in the middle of the. hole for the base ■of the stem, to : rest on, and the roots will go down the sides of the mound und'along tho bottom of'.the hole. ■ Tho. size of-the mound will-depend requirements of the roots. .; The next point to be,.observed is tho condition of. the soil' that .is to-surround the., roots of the rose bushes. It is important .that' it-' Bhould be fine. A':layer should be placed over the roots and pressed firmly 011 to them. Then another layer should be added, and pressed firmly down, and so oh till the hole is filled. The depth of planting can lie' regulated by. the junction of the 'stoclfand' rose proper. ..This should be;-when planted, about two inches' belotf the' 'surface of the soil.' In grafted roses, this' junction .'is • tho .jnost .vulnerable, part of., the plant, and, if 'exposed,- 'a heavy frost may. do unteh; damage to'.the plant.

PLANTS FOR A SHADY GARDEN. > Tho, following plants will. do well' in a shndy garden:—Japanese . anemones, autumn crocuses,- montbretias, Michaelmas daisies, afiiiilegian,- arums, sparaxis, scilla, primroses, i. - narcissi, .doronicums, and hydrangeas. . 'Among " sweet peas tho scarlet, salmon, and orango shades need partial shade. MICHAELMAS, DAISIES.Sorae of the earlier Michaelnins daisies are now over and. tho stems'should bo cut back .at opce.-for dead llo.wer-stalks give a garden a most dr.ear.v appearance. Also,Michaelmas daisies, if allowed to ripen their seed/ will : scot'ter it all over tho garden, causing endless trouble later in the year. . . . .-:■•.■■ Keep up the supply of water and. weak liquid manuro for plants that are still flowering. When picking Michaelmas daisies to take into the lioubo chooso .-branches that havo their• flowers just opening. They will last longer and'scatter their pollen less than those that aro already full blown. * VEGETABLES. ASPARAGUS BEDS. As soon ,as the stems are fully ripeued they should be cut olf close to the ground, ana carried' away. In doing this care must be taken not to drop more berries than can be .helped;' Prick tho surl'aco of-tho soil very lightly, and cover tho bed with a dressing of manuro. On heavy sous use ;a strawy litter, tint on light, sandy soils - ordinary farmyard - manure may be used: ONIONS. | Onions are now ready to be put away. ■ The, /jest method of storing them is to make thenr into ropes as soon as'they' ■ are thoroughly dry. Procure 1 a piece of three-ply rope about three feet long, tio ii. knot at oiie end, and secure it to a hook in Die wall. The rope is then split ■ into three straudß, au ouiou is laid aloii" -each string, the .buib towards the knot! -and.tile tnree 'are plaited together, the tops of the. oniouß going with their respective strings. This process is repeated .till, the rope.is -nearly linished, when the rope and the last three opinion tops aro securely tied together. Enough ropo should bo lett to ntuke a loop to hang the onions up by. CAPE GOOSEBERRIES. In mild districts Cape gooseberry plants will continue to flower aud bear fruit throughout :the winter. Hut it is better lor uiem to be cut back .now, for it' is few: growth that boars the bestC Cover the roots with a good mulch' of--well-decayed vegetable rubbish and wood-asnes Karly 11, Hpringp new growl il will.be produced, which will be capable of bean.ug a heavy crop of fruit at a time .yheii it will ripen well. Do not dig round the roots betoro applying tho mulch. Ounc iir el rVii^" sS may be Ranted out now, piouded they can be given a northerly aspect, or one.where the plantß can tel. every- scrap ol sun and yet be protected from-froßt. p , St'ouiid should bo deeply dug, and tnlto!? ? ve ,Vor)te . < ' inl - 0 i' P'cnt-y oi v,-ell-rotted manure, ashes from a rubbish lire and.a-dressing of boncdust. Make the soil ' Arm before planting out the seedlm-s Should a Blight protection be necessary' use diy muniua blush, or pieces of scrim thiojvii over states, but once the. plnnts ! * lot tlle eet all th » ■ "Garden Notes" next week will contain seasotiabliv notes about:-Swcet pea" flowering verbenas, und vegetables