GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 269, 9 August 1919, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES

(By -Kowhai.")

HOW TO MAKE A HOT-BED. Tho hot-bed is made of fresh horse inanuro and litter, This should bo formed into a compact heap, the manuro and litter being well mixod during the forking process. Tho heap should be turned over in a day or two, and should then bo left till fomentation takes place. A Hat bed should, then be built, its shape and size corresponding with that of the framo. The bed should bo big enough to protrude on overy sUlo about eighteen inches beyond tho frame. Before placing the framo in position tho bed should bo iirmly trodden down. Place the frame on tho bed, and push a pointed stick well down into tho middlo of it. In a few days' timo pull out the stick. If it is not too hot to hold comfortably in the hand, tho framo iB then ready for seeds. If tho seeds aro to bo sown on the bed, a lew inches of fine soil should be spread all over it, but if seed pans are to be used, a thin layer of cinders should bo spread for them to rest on,

Seed pans should not be too doep, as a great depth, of earth holds too much, moißturo, and is apt to become sour. Three or four inches of earth is deep enough for seedlings, and warm air can pcuetrato this depth. Ilavo the pans thoroughly clean, attend to the drainage and iheu three ports flli them with a mixture of garth, sand, ashes from a "wood or a rubbish firo, and a little leaf-mould. Mix up the ingredients thoroughly with tho hands before putting the mixture into tho puns. An hour or two betoro towing the seeds water tho pans with tepid water. Cover tho seed with tho merest sprinkling of Hue earth. If seeds are very small, mix thorn in a, saucer with a littlo lino earth or sand. They will then he more ovouly distributed over tho seed pan. Never sow seeds thiclily, or tho seedlings will come up crowded together, and will run ■up into weak, spindly plants. Those that aro well distributed over the seed pan, and thinly sown, have a chauco to grow into sturdy plants that will inalco stronir growth from the start. Also, one Is saved the necessity of pricking out thb seedlings into another box before planting them out in tho garden. Once' tho seedliugi aro up ventilation should be strictly attended to. and remember that ventilation should be given on the opposite sido from the wind which iB blowing. At night, sacks may ho spread over the sash to conserve tho heat. Many gardeners in towns cannot manago a hot-bed, but by using a frame even without ono soedlings can bo had much curlier than if the seeds aro sown in tho open, . . A framo is almost indispensahlo In a gordeu. By its help tender annualß such as cosmos, asters, lobelia, uemesia, French and African marigolds, zinnias, saipiglossis, nicotiana, etc., may bo had ready to plant out as soon as all danger of frost is over. Among vegetables, too, such tender subjects as tomatoes, celery, marrows, ouctunbers, and melons may he sown now, and stronir seedlings will bo ready for planting out quite oarly. This earlier planting means an earlier flowering or fruiting season, and tho plants, moreover, aro put into the ground whilo tho Boil is still damp from winter rains, and before tho hot weather has sot in. They aro not so likjdy to bo checked by transplanting then, and they have a chance also to bouonin well established before they are forced to battlo against drought and hot winds.

Soeds that may bo sown in frames now ill's:—Agoraluin, antirrhinum (snapdragon), asters, coroopsis, cineraria, clarkia, cosmos, dahlias (single and collarette), heliotrope, lobelia, nicotiana, nemesia, marigold (French and African), plilox drummondii, parisles, petunias, snlpiglossis, salvia, schizanthus, and zinnias. Among vegetable- seeds: Tomatoes, celery, marrows, cucumbers, and melons. As soon aii this first lot of seedlings is removed from the hot-bed to a cold frame or sheltered ,s.P°t to "harden off," their places may bo taken by the following seeds:Anomono, aqnilegia, carnation, Canterbury boll, pontstemon, primrose, polyanthus primrose, Kico slocks, Brompton 6tocks, wallllowers, and violas.

AZALEAS. Before many wcoks are over azaleas will bo opening their beautiful flowers, for thoy are among the earließt of tho springflowering shrubs. Tho plants, as a rule, aro most generous with their flowers, every branch becoming laden with dainty fragile-looking blossoms. The white varieties, especially those with double and Bomi-doublo llowers, are lovely, and should be largely grown. Among the varieties with coloured flowers, too, aro to bo found many treasures. Among theno are:—President, salmon pink, with largo flowers; Talisman (£cml;(ioublo). salmon pink, bordered with white; Thiusncldl (double), bright pink with carmine spots. Two good white ones are:—Alba plena and Fidlor's ' white. Among Japanese azaleas: Beni-Eongc, orange red; Kabi-llenge. salmon; lii-Rcngc, yellow. Azaleas are quite hardy provided they are sheltered from heavy frosts <ind from soorohiug winds. As the plants aro fairly dwarf thoy may often bo sheltered by taller-growing shrubs. To be really successful with azaleas, peat should bo nd<led to the soil, and, if tho soil be heavy, a good proportion of sand. Tho Hoil must be deeply worked before the plants arc put in, because, although they aro moisture loving, they aro also very impatient of stagnant, water lying about their roots. During summer, a mulch of decayed leaves or vegetable rubbish should be spread round tho plants to protect the roots from drought. CAMELLIAS. Camellias aro already in flower in sheltered positions. A littlo stimulant administered now will be a groat help to the plants during their long flowering season. Snot-water is tho best manure for camellias, and may be given to them onco a week. Or guano may be given at tho rato of loz. to 1 gallon of water. A good way of manuring tho trees, also, is to put a ring of cow manure round them, about a yard from tho trunk, and to pour water iiiMide this l-inir from time to time. Thero aro many beautiful new variotica nmong onmelliaß, especially among tho single oucs, a-nd their bundles of yellow stauions add much to their charm.

GYPSOPHILA. Old gypsophila plants should he given a good* mulch of well-decayed manure early in the sprlnsr- But it manure cannot bo had, prick in a dressing of bonedust and use a mulch of decayed vegetable rcabish. The new shoots will push their way through this mulch, and will bo all the stronger for the extra food supplied. Gypsophila. is so lovely and so indispensable for mixing with sweet peas, etfl., in bowls and vases, that a good supply should always bo grown. Plants that are well treated will last for many years,' and will (lower well every year. But it is always Bate to mako a fresh sowing of seefl, The seedlings should bo planted out as soon as they are big enough to handlo. ns the older the plants the more difficult they are to transplant. The soil where gypsonliila is to he crown should be very deeply worked, fdr tho plants send their roots down to a great depth. This deep-rooting habit makes them invaluable for hot, dry districts whero the soil is very light or sandy. VEGETABLES, Seeds that may be sown this week, weather and soil permitting, arc:— Radish-French breakfast. Sow broadcast in rich, ilrm ground, and in a warm, sunny position. Short Born or Nan toe JTorn Carrot.Sow thinly in drills 12 inches apart. Turnip-Early Snowball, or Early White Stonfc. Sow In ground that was richly mannred tor a previous crop of greens, or in ground that was manured early in tho autumn. Make tho ground very firm. Sow thinly in drills 12 inches apart. Peas—Sow in drills from two to three feet apart. ' Ground should bo trenched and manured, and should have wood ashes mixed with it. Dust bonedust in tho drills at the time of sowing, fioak peas in warm water for a few hours before sowing. Broad Boanß.—Same treatment as for peas. Lettuce-Sow thinly in pans for transplanting later on. Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about:—Michaelmas daisies, sowing sweet peas, and vegetables.