GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 247, 12 July 1919, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES

» . (By "Kowhai.")

PItIMBOSES. Those who were unable to break iip old primrose roots iu the autumn may still do so with every hope of a good supply of flowers in the spring. The old roots, if left in the same place for more than two or three years, yield short-stemmed, unsatisfactory flowers. Tho best position for primroses is a semi-shaded ono. They will quite well right out in .the sun, but they aro at their best in the semi-shade. Especially is this so with the common palo yellow variety. When grown in the sun tho colour is apt to bo rather faded, but in Bemi-shado (preferably whero they loso the midday lun) the colour is. a beautiful clear pale yellow, Just slightly tinged with groen. Tho stems, too, aro much longer on the flowers grown in partial shade. By careful cultivation one can have quite largo flowers on very long stems. Primroseß are then much more valuable as cut flowers, for not only are they moro beautiful, but also they are so much easier to arrange in bowls. A big .flat glass bowl filled with those dainty fragrant flowers and a few of thoir own leaves is a sight that is absolutely satisfying to lovers of the beautiful. . Primroses may bo grown in a variety of ways. They mako splendid spring edgings for gardens, they are useful for the rock garden, they may bo grown in grass, or in clusters round the roots of flowering trees such as flowering almonds, or they may bo grown on sloping banks. A bank of primroses of every imaginable colour is indeed a beautiful sight, especially if it be edged with a narrow strip of well-mown green grass. The primroses should be planted in groups or drifts of all one colour. In preparing tho ground mix with it a good supply of leaf mould, or well-rotted vegetable matter, a littlo' well rotted manure, and a sprinkling of ashes from a rubbish fire. As soon as tho plants are growing well, prick in amongst them a slight dressing of bonedust. Polyanthus primroses aro even more showy than primroses, and tho treatment for them is the same. Both priihroßos and polyanthus primroseß aro caßily raised from seed. Those who have a frame or a greenhouso could sow seed now in shallow pans, or it may be sown out of doors in Seplember or Octobor. Tho seedlings will flower tho following spring. Eoots planted now will flower this spring. KOTJTINE WORK. Whenever tho weather is suitablo proceed with tho tidying up of tho shrubbery. All weeds should bo pulled out, and dead leaves should bo raked up. If it is possible bury the dead leaves when forking over the" soil between the shrubs. A Bpade should not bo used too near shrubß, for it destroys Biirfaco roots. This is especially so with rhododendrons and azaleas. llemove dead branches, and branches that arc overhanging tho paths, but do not prune flowering trees and shrubs during winter. This should bo done directly flowering iB over. A dressing of bonodust may be pricked in round the shrubs while the ground is being forked over. Lcnvo the surface soil fairly rough during tho next few weeks so that wiud, rain, and frost can "weather" it. Where now borders arc to bo made they should bo trenched thrco feet deep, and should have plenty of well-decayed manuro or well-decayed vegetable rubbish buried about a foot below iho surface soil. Heavy soils should bo lightened by the addition of horse manure and coarso grit. Light soilß should havo cow or pig manure added to them if possible. Leave tho soil quite rough until the borders are needed for planting. There ib not much advantage in planting now until tho cud of the month except in sheltered localities where tho soil is well drained. Lawns infested with weeds should be attended to now. ltemove the weeds and give tho lawn a good dressing with "lawn Band." Where lawns ure very bad it may lie necessary to repeat the dressing of "lawn sand" once a month. A dressing of , basic sing or bonedust at the rate of <loz. to the cquaro yard will improve all lawns. The edges should be trimmed, all weeds should be pulled away, and the soil about the rootß should be kept clean and well 1 hoed.

Protect hyacinth and narcissi buds from attacks of slugs. See that neat stakes aro driven in round clumps of narcissi, hyacinths, and tulips. In sonic gardens it is already necessary to support the leaves and iiowcriiig stems, for they aro well forward, polyanthus narcissi and paper white being already in flower. It is pathcl;e to sec these dainty spring flowers bcaien down into the mud by rough winds and heavy rain. Christmas roses will need staking and tying up uiilcbs the plants have a sufficient supply of leaves to keep tho llowcriiisr stems in an upright position.Chrysanthemum cuttings may bo taken whenever they arc available. Choose short, thick ones from the outside of tho plants. They may bo inserted firmly in a. sheltered pari of the garden, or they may he put into boxes in a cold frame. The old rootß may he lifted to give tho bed a chance of being trenched and manured, but Hhould not yet be destroyed. They may bo planted closo together in a trench in a spare part of the garden, in case a further supply of cuttings iB needed. Continue planting rosef and flowering trees and shrubs whenever the weather is favourable. Hoots ot most perennials and seedlings of hardy annuals may be planted out during suitable weather. Make a sowing of antirrhinums, sweet scabious, pentstemous, uaiißies, violas, marguerito carnations, and of such hardy annuals as candytuft, phlox dru.mmondii, mignonette, annual gypsophila, godetia, schizanthus, salpiglossis, cornflowers, and stocks. The seed may be sown in the open in suuny corners, or in boxes on a sunny verandah. Where a fresh supply of tuberous-rooted begonias is needed for summer bedding, seed may be sown now in gentle heat. If tho Beedlings are encouraged to make good steady growth, they will make fine flowering plants for the late-summer and antuann. CEA3IOTHUS. Ceanothuses are- very Bltowy shrubs which ilowor about October. Most of tho varieties have blue flowers, and during flowering time tho bushes are literally a sheet of gloriouß blue. Ccanothus Azureus is a very beautiful variety, bearing, as its namo indicates, light blue flowers. The pink variety, Ccanothus Albert Pittet, is also a delightful shrub, and is a change from tho many blue varieties. But one of tho most attractive varieties is, perhaps, Ccanothus Voitchiamfß, which bears bright blue flowers in the greatest profusion. It grows into a very large shrub. Ceanothuses may bo grown <ib shrubs, or they may be trained against walls or fences, They aro showy and attractive however grown. A good rich loamy soil is suitable for their cultivation. Pruning Bhould be dono as soon as tko flowering is over. , VEGETABLES. PEAS. In the vegetable garden a further sowing of peas may be made. Do not sow when the ground is sodden with rain; wait till tho soil is more friable. Before sowing, soak the seed in warm water for a few hours. -Sprinkle a little bonedust and*wood ash in. the drills at tho time of sowing. Peas that are coming on should be kept well trained to their stakes. Blacken the noil between tho rows with soot occasionally, for it is a grand fertiliser. Hoe wheu«ver the soil is iu a suitable condition. BKOAD BEANS. WTieje necessary a further sowing of .broad beans may be made. Attend to the cultivation of those that are already growing. Staking is most important. Push tho earth towards the stems when hoeing between tho rows. SEED POTATOES. Seed potatoes should be procured and-set up o" end in shallow boxes to sprout. Place tho boxes in tho shelter -of <t shed or a verandah, and in a 6trong light. By placing them in a strong light ouo gets the short thick shoot that is so desirable. It is considered an advantage to chango tho variety every three or four years, and in ordor to find out which varieties suit your particular locality and soil, it is as well to have two or three experimental rows every year. Seed may be saved from the variety that shows tho greatest promiEo.

CARROTS AND PARSNIPS. Carrot and parsnip seed may bo sprouted in damp sand in readiness for sowing in tils' garden towards tlio end of tho month. For this purpose shallow trays or boxes are needed. Have the sand thoroughly moi6t but not wet, mix the seed thoroughly with tho damp sand, cover the trayß with a newspaper, and stand them on a warm Bhclt (in the' kitchen, for example) until the seed has sprouted. Should the sand become dry during tho process it must again bo carefully moistened. Tho sprouted seed and damp sand are then sown in tho drills in the ordinary way. ROUTINE WORK. Push on with the trenching and manuring of all plots, and tako*this opportunity of digging in a soil fumigant rach as Vaporlte. Keep beans and peas trained to their supports. Do not leave decaying leaves or stumps of broccoli. and cabbago lying about. Gather .them up and burn them. Bend- a leaf over cauliflowers to protect the flowers from bad weather. Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about:—Begonias, routino work, and vegetables.