GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 252, 18 July 1919, Page 16

GARDEN NOTES

6 ■ (By "Kowhai.") BEGONIAS. Those who are including begonias among their cummer bedding schemes musi attend to the raising of the plants now. Tuberous-rooted begonias are easily raised from seed, and il it is sown now. the seedlings should be ready for planting outas soon as all danger of frost is over. To ensure germination, a certain amount of heat is necessary, but those who have not a greenhouse can easily get the requisite Heat by making a hot-Ucd. Xac seed-pans should be filled with the following mixture:-Two parts soil, I parts leafI soil, and 1 part sand. Water this well, ami then scatter the seeds very finely and evenly over the surface. It is a help to mix ihc seed witn sand before scattering I it, as this ensures a thinner and more even distribution. Do not cover with soil at all. Cover the pan with a.sheet of, glass and then a i-nect of paper. lie-' move these when germination takes place. , Tho seedlings niay be transplanted, as soon as they get their first pair ot trim, leaves, into boxes containing:-Koil 2 parts, leaf-soil 2 parts, sand 1 part, and a little dried cow manure. Harden off the seedlings by degrees, and endeavour to get short, sturdy growths. Those 1 who already have tubers should Btarl them into growth. This may be done in the following way:—Fill shallow boxes with a mixture of soil, leaf-soil,, and sand, water it thoroughly, and allow) it to drain. Bury the tubers in this to about half their depth, and havo them about ,one ilich apart. The shoots may be takeu as cuttings, and rooted in a warm moist propagating frame. Filirousrooted begonias arc always largely used for bedding purposes, and cuttings may bo taken now. The old plants ore cut well back, and new growths soon appear. Those are the ones 'for cuttings. Make tho cut just below a- joint, remove tho lower leaves, and plant the cuttings firmly in very sandy soil. A Utile bottom heat is necessary. If a portion of the old stem, or "lied." can be secured, the cuttings will root very easily, especially if they are "struck" in pure sand. As soon as growth begins, they must be transplanted into soil containing leaf-soil, sand. 11. little cow manure, and a dressing of woodashes. Heed, also, may be sown in gentle heat. Tuberous-rooted begonias are so lovely, and so eaßily grown that they should he used largely for filling in empty spaces in the summer borders. They will grow in the suu or ■in the shade, in a wet, heavy soil, or in a dry, sandy oue. But the ideal position for them is a semishaded one, and the soil should be a mixture of good soil, leaf-mould, old decayed manure, and sand. Tho best way to obtain a good stock for bedding-out purposes is to buy a few good named varieties, and to' increase from these. In this way it is easier to regulate one's colour schemes. The plants very much appreciate a mulch of well-decayed manuro during summer, and, in dry weather, plentiful supplies of water. As soon as frost cuts ■the plantß, the tubers should be lifted and spread on a dry shelf in a shed for a few days to dry. They may then be stored in sand or dry earth for the winter. .) Among singlc-tlowcring varieties ■ tho following are goodi-Challengcr, rich deep crimson; Countess Brovulow, beautiful vellow; Ladp Farquhar, Balmon pink; Magnificent, scarlet; Damo Blanche, and -Mont Blanc, white. Doubuv-flowcring varictics:-Oountees of Zetland, white; Dulio of Fife, deep salmon; Duke of Portland, rich crimson; Bcnnhaw ltussell, brilliant scarlet; Mrs. French, pale primrose. HOUTINE WORK. Perennials that were not. cut back in the autumu may still be attended to, and they will then be ready for lifting and dividing, as soon as the soil fs in a suitable condition. Stiekß that are marking the position Of bulbs should be examined to see if they need renewing. Labels should be looked at r.n see if the names of bulbs, roses, carnations, etc., have become obliterated. Seed-pans" may bo prepared. Benzinetins cut in half answer this purpose well. These should have the ragged edgeo neatly hammered in, and should then be thoroughly cleansed. Make hohv in the bottom for drainage, and about three-parts-fill the pans with a mixture of soil mid .river-sand. If these are prepared now and stored in a dry place, tho work at seed-sowing time will be considerably lessened. During the long evenings, seed and plant catalogues may be studied, lists made out, and orders sent in. Stakes should be overhauled, and tho ends sharpened -in readiness for driving them into the ground. Sweet-pea fences should be 'put into thorough order. Once tho next few w*cks are over the vines will make very rapid growth. Any decaying leaves should at once, bo removed from violets. Clumps of bulbs should be kept free from weeds. Already paper white and polyanthus narcissi are in .flower, and, with the help of violptß and daphne, are filling the gardens with fragrance. Hyacinths need close watching jUBt now. Already the earliest kinds are pushing their way up through their mulch of cow manure, and they must ho carefully guarded from slugs. Whcro cow manure is obtainable, a good coating should bo spread over or around clumps of liliums and hyacinths, 't is wonderful what a difference it makes to tho future spikeß of bloom. _ Roses and flowering- shrubs may still ho planted wherever tho soil is friable. Do not plant when it is very wet. The present is a good time to apply a dressing •of ground-limo round plum, poach, nectarine, etc., trees. Stone fruits appreciate the presence of lime in the soil about them. VEGETABLES. Seetja that may bo sown this week are:— Peas, broad beanß, and carrots, In the open ground a further sowing of peas and broad beans may be made. The ground should be trenched, and should have well-decayed manure or vegetable rubbish buried about a foot below the surface soil. Sprinkle a littles boncdust in tho drills at tho time of sowing the seeds. If peas are. soaked in wiirm water for it few hours before sowing, they will come up all tho sooner. It iB as well to put threads of black cotton along the rows as soon as tho seed iB sown. This pro- ; tocts it from sparrows. Dust Boot or lime along tho rows at tho first Blgn of a green shoot. ■ ■ ' - CAR-ROTS. On well-drained soils a small sowing of carrots may be ma'dc. Carrots should bo grown.in ground that was.richly manured for peas or Borne green crop last Beason. The soil should be. finely worked to a depth of one foot. It iB a good plan to place a layer (about Jin., thick) of dry woodashes in tho drills at the time of sowing. Drop the- seed into tho ashes, and just cover with ■ very fine earth. Press- the earth lightly but firmly with tho back of tho hand after covering the seed. SEEDS IN PANS. Where necessary small sowings of cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuco may be made in seed-pans. Those who have a frame or a greenhouse to supply bottom heat may make a Bowing of tomato aud Oape gooßoborry. PLANTS. Plants of cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce may be put in the ground, provided the soil is in good condition. The ground should bo trenched and manured in preparation for them. Mix a littlo bonodust in the bottom of each hole at tho time of planting. Cut tho eiid of the tap-root off cabbage and cauliflower plants (o encourage the growth of fibrous roots. Press the earth very firmly round each plant. ROOTS. Roots of rhubarb, horse radish, shallots, and garlic may all be planted. "Garden Notes" next week will contain seasonable notes about:—Rose-pruning, routine work, and vegetables. . NERVOUS~HEADACHES. A feeling as of a light bandWbout the head is often i'olt in addition to the pain of a headache that is caused by nervous exhaustion. Tho acho is generally in the back of the head, rarely in the forehead, and is often accompanied by dizziness. The way lo stop this sort of headacho is to stop the cause of it. Overwork, worry, and failure of the blood to properly nourish tho nerves arc the .most common causes. Hart and a tonic for the blood and nerves will cause the headache to disappear in most cases. To remain a nervous sufferer may bo unnecessary, if you are willing to help yourself. "Dr. Williams' Pink Pills mid the good, pure blood which they give, fresh air, nourishing food, and a fair observance of the laws of health will help to restore tlio strength and health of .your nerves. Live tip lo theso conditions and tho nerves, brains, stomach, kidneys, heart and liver will keep in perfect working order. Anything that von can do lo build up your general ■licnll.h will strengthen your nerves. You will lind Dr. Williams' Vir.k Pills a great help. Free, from alcohol or any harmful or habit-form ine drug tlii'y start to work at once cleansing and enriching the blood, strenallii'iiinj,' the stoiimcli and carrying nouri.shnienl to every nerve, tissue, and liny cell throughout I be body. Wliv not i'lmioso health now bv giving Dr. Williams' Pink Tills 1. I rial? ' Y«n will ?el llieiu at your nearest choiuisl nl .is. ; per box, six boxes Ills. (id. .\ valuable linoklet, "Diseases of the Nervous System," will bo son! free on iinpliealioii'lo the Dr. Williams' Medicine Co., flox Sl-l t1.1'.0., Welliiigton.-Advt.