GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 28 June 1919, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES

j (By "Kowhai/'J

ANSWERS TO CORIIESPOJiDENTS. "Inquirer," Blenheim.—The 'dead leaves may certainly be cut off Ohrißtmas roses, but' in your distriot it is an advantage to leave some rn the plants to protect tho flowers and young leaves from severe • frosts. Cyclamen: Provided tho- bulbs were, well ripened at tho end o£ last season, they should flower again. You may havo made the potting-soil too rich, or it imay be that the plants have not yet .had time to fill the pots with root*. SCHIZA.HTHTJS. Schizanthus is one- of the j rettiest of the spring and summer-flowering annuals, and ono that is most easily grown. Where bottom heat can-bo supplied seeds may bo sown now to provide spring-flowering plants, but where heat is not to be had. sowing should be delayed till the end of Jul > r < . ' , ' I Tho plants grow into largo spreading I bushes, which »t flowering time hcr.ome a masa of dainty bright-coloured flowers. Ab cut flowers they are delightful, for they last a long time in water, end can bo arranged, lightly and gracefully in tho vases. To provide a succession, 'another sowing maybe made in tho open during October or early in November. Before sowing the seed, dig the soil to a depth of at least oighteen inches, Keeping the top soil to tho top. Work into the soil some leafmould or well-decayed vegetable rubbish,, and some sharp sand. A little bonedust may bo pricked into the surface of the soil, ifauo tho soil firm before sowing tho seed. Schizaiithus Wisetonenßis branches freely, but forms a compact bush simply covered'with exquisite Lutterfiy-liko flowers. There is al3o a dwarf strain which 1b more suitable for gardeus in exposed positions. If some of tho Bcedlinga are. potted up, they make charming decorations for a. verandah or a cool greenhouse.

ROSES. During tho past week work in tlio garden i has been practically at a standstill, and until better weather conditions prevail all planting must cease. To plant trees or aliruba while tho soil is cold and sodden with rain and sleet iB to court failure.; Should plants arrivo from the nursery . while the soil is in this-coudition, they Bhould bo "heeled in" until it iB drier and warmer. In the meantime, roso cata« lo6ucs may still bo studied, and plants may still bo ordered, but with a request that they should not be delivered till planting 'is again possible. In planting roses make the holes wide enough to allow tho roots to bo ovonly spread out to their full length. So often the poor plants have their rootß thrust into holes far too small for them. How can they search for and obtain food for tile plant when they are so kadly cramped? Before planting the'roae trecfl have, a good look at t.ho roots to see if they will rest on a flat base. Sometimes it is necessary to make a little mound of surface soil in the middle of the hole for tho base ofi the stem to rest on, and the roots will go'down the rides of the inound, and so on to the bottom of. the hole. Tho size of the mound will depend upon the requirements <f tho roots. The - next point to be. observed is the condition of the soil that is to mrrou-nd the roots of the rose trceß^' Jt is important that it should be fine. A layer should be placed over the roots, and pressed firmly on to them. Then another layer should bo addei and pressed firmly down, and so on till the hole is filled, taking care to make the soil very firm not only round the trunk of the rosebush,, but also round tho 9ides of the hole. The depth of planting can be regulated by the junction of the stock and the rose proper. . This should be, when planted, about two inches below the surface of the soil, In grafted roses this junction is the most vulnerable point, and, if exposed, a heavy frost may do untold damage to the plant. The following are a few good garden roses:—Ohateau de Clos Vougeot, dark velvety crimson, Edith Port, beautif.ul pink; General Gallien, metallic red, shading to pink and old gold; Hugh Dickson, rich scarlet; Lady Hillingdon. good yellow; Lady Ashtown, rose shading to silvery pink; Lady Roberts, :eddish apricot; Madame Edward Herriott, coral red, shaded yellow at base; Mrs. John -Laing, soft pink; Mrs. Herbert Stevens, white, centre shaded peach; Pharisaer, rose, shading to salmon. PLANTING CURRANTS AND GOOSE- ■ -BERRIES^ Before planting currant and gooseberrV bushes the soil bhould be very deeply dug, and should have a good supply of farmyard manure mixed with it. If farmyard manure is not obtainable, use well-decaycd garden rubbish. Black currants are more moisture-loving than other bush fruits, and appreciate the presence of wcll-docayed vegetation whor* their roots can reach it. Currant and gooseberry bushes should be planted about six feet apart cach way Whero the soil is a heavy one, a little basic slag may be pricked in round established bushes during July, whero the soil is light superphosphate may be used, and should bo applied towards iho end of August. During dry weather biißhes ahould be given the help of a suitable mulch. PRUNING. Gooseberries may bo pruned «s soon a* the leaves begiu to fall. Attention should bo paid to keeping the bueh open in th* ceutro. Badly placed shoots, ana those j that are too near the ground, ahould oe cut right out, Shoots growing towards the ceutro should bo shortened to about three buds. Tho strongest and bestplaced growths of tho preceding season should be lelt untouched,, for theco bear the finest, fruit. Red curratts should have all lateral growths cut back to two buds, and tut* leaders to six or eight buds. \? UT )S Bhoots near the base of tbo tree should be cut out. Black currantß merely have the old wood cut out to the nearest healthy Bhoot, and tho now shoots thinned whero they are too thick. Unlike rod currants, black currant busheß should bo encouraged to produce new shoots from the base of the bushes. With black currants t the* trulV iB borne on the young wood; with red and white currants it is borne on old spurs and on tho base of tho Bhoots'of tho previous year's growth. SPROUTING POTATOES. No time should be lost now in securin/ good potato Reed. Tho early varieties wiu be planted first; therefore, they should bo sprouted without delay. For this purpose 1 hallow boxes wo suitable. Stand tho potatoos up on end in them, taking caro to luivo them right way up, and place the boxes in a sheltered place, and in a strong light. This will encourage the growth of strong, sturdy sprouts.