GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 132, 28 February 1920, Page 12

GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhai.") FKEESIAS. In spite of the fact that we sec masses of freesia. blooms in the llorists' windows as early is the middle of the winter, we hail tho opening of our own blooms in our spring gardens with he much pleasure as if they' were the first of the season. What a delightful fragrance Btoals through the garden with the opening of the firm few jjuda! There is no mistaking it, although the daphno bush and the violet borders are so prodigal with tTieir soent that the air seems to be already saturated with fragrance. Bulbs that arc planted early in a warm, sheltered spot and in well-drained soil will flower quite' early in the spring, and by planting at different times, and in different ways, one may have freeaias in bloom for quite a loug time.

The bulbs ef the old freesia refracta alba are so cheap that they are within the reaeh of everyone. The hybrids are ■wonderfully interesting and very beautiful, comprising an they do l such delicate shades of iiink, lavender, primrose, etc.

Freesias may be grown in thfc open border, in boxes or pots on a sunny verandah, and in pots and bowls in a cuuny window. In the garden, froesias like a .light, sandy soil, enriched with v,-ell-rotted manure, or thoroughly deeayed vegetable rubbiah. and a little bonedust. The bullm 1 should be placed on a lirm bed, and should be resting on a layer of sand. There should be one inch ot soil above tliem when the planting is finished. Kerosene tins cut in half and painted dark green are very suitable for growing freesias in. Make plenty of holes in the bottom of the tins, and put a good layer of broken nieces of pots, or some pebbles, for drainage. The soil should consist of it mixture of jrood garden soil, sand anfl well-rotted manure, or well-decayed vegetablo rubbish. Mix these ingredients together thoroughly before filling the tins or pots. The bulbs should be planted fairly deep, and they should be one inch apart each way. (rive the pots a food watering, and bury them up to their rimE in » bed of wood ashes in a shady place. This will give the bulbs a chance to make good roots bofore t-op growth begins. Prees/aB must have a long period of growth before the flowering season; therefore early planting is most necessary. To ensure good flowers, plant large, wellripcucil buds. As soon as growth begins freesias require, plenty of sunshine and plenty of water, especially soot water. IiOCTIN'E WOHK. Cuttings of most plants may be taken now, and will root quickly ir planted firmly in sandy trail. Carnations, dowering shrubs, verbenas, petunias, violets, climbing roses, etc., may all be layered. Bulbs that are already in the ground will probablv be started nov; into root notion. This v.-ill give them the necessary long time of growth before (lowering. Whenever it is possible push on with all bulb planting. Ohrvsanthemums need constant supervision. Caterpillars soon e:it away the newly-formed Inids. Ha.nd-picking i.i thconlj reliable v.ay of getting rid of the pest. . Where roses, verbenas, etc.. are showing traces of mildew the.y should be sprayed with lime sulphur, or should have flowers of sulphur dusted on the foliage .early in the morning, while it is hUII vet with dew. Sinking i* a vor; necessary operation at the. present time. Kpetto«a. Mliea arc. malting prlorioun Viow» bsj \iev arc casilv spoilt by wind unless they nro well' staked. Chrysanthemums. dahliaa. cosmos, and even iißtors all need euitahlo

stakes, Some o! the curlier. Machael-. mas daisies are already showing colour. Tlies-e are lovely- flowers. and cau bo-used •with great effect in tho garden, for the ' plants are naturally graceful, and lead readily to artistic arrange* mout. 'alio greatest mistake that can be made is to tie thciu in a bunch to & few upright stakes. A few branches may be trained; upright; others may bo i pulled out sideways, or even bent right ! over to Lhe ground. The more room eaen j branch has, tho more chance has tho bush to show its exquisite beauty when in ilower. Always use neat slakes, and have thein ho placed that they will be effective, but hidden by the plains a« they grow, Bel' idomia lilies are sending up from tho bare ground long, naked stems that have tho Quaintest appearance until the ulowly-opening buds crown them -with bunches of glorious fragrant flowers. Bulbs of nerines have been resting and ripening in the sunshine all through the hot dnys of January. Now, however, tho red-tinted tips of the Ilower buds are peeping out from the dead-looking bulba. A good, soaking of water and a lit-tlo liquid manure will send the red-tinted buds shooting, up en long stems till they, too, open out into bunches of beautiful scarlet flowers. Verbenas, phlox drumraondii, petunias, anj) all creeping plants need pugring down to the ground here and there. Dead flowers should be promptly removed from all plants unless seed is wanted, and I dead leaves should be picked off.

Gaillardia», those moat useful of flowers, have been fiowerinj freely all through the hottest and drieat weather. A little Undid manure given regularly after rain or after a ijood watering will help the plants- to keep up the size and ([uality of their innumerable flowers. .Seed nods must be very promptly removed.

'i'lio old shoots of rambler rosea should be cut out, and the new shoots trained into place. A few Rood Makings ol liquid manure, or a mulch of weli-decayed manure will be beneficial, to the -plants. Watch all ramblers for any trace of mildew on the leaves. If necessary spray the bushes, with concentrated lime sulphur (obtainable /from any seed merchant), using one part of lime sulphur to MO parts of -water. Mix ■•thoroughly before using. J'LOWE'KS l'N BLOOM. This is generally considered one of the dull times'for flowers, but, in well-thought-out gardens there in never really a dull time. At- present there are man;' beautiful flowei-Bin bloom. Amongst them are:— Dahlias, sneciosa lilies, belladonna! liließ, antirrhinums, perennial - Minitowers, coreopsis, gaitlardias, rudbeckias, geraniums, pentstemons, gerhera, early iiichaelnius daisies, phlox drummondii, French and African marigolds, petunias, flowering .erbenas gaura, sweet sultan, sweet scabious, sweet peas, asters, gladioli, and many others. Those -who are unfortunate enough to have bare gardens now should make a note of the above list of flowers, and see that they have,, at least some of them to brighten their gardens during this time next year. VEGETABLES. After the flrßt good. rain, seeds of lettuce, ■ cabbage," and cauliflowers may-bo sown without fear of the resultant plants bolting through' being too dry at the roots A sowing of winter spinach may be made. The plants need deep rooting room, or thoy soon run to seed. Carrots so far. have not, been a great success 'in. .many districts, but a sowing made now".should have better results.

Onions and lien's may abb 'be sown, and a last"solving of French'beans may be made.'

Broccoli, - Brussels sprouts, etc.. -innit be kept-well washed-to keep them-free from aphie. A little nitrate of eoda, 1 ounce in 1 gallon of water, will make the plants grow vigorously, and so help them to rcßiEt diHcaec. Constant hoeing is 'also . a "great aid .to vigorous growth'. ' : '"- '• ■" ■

Don't allow runner beana ' to" run too high, but pinch off the tips of the shoots to keep them within, easy pickinß reach Turnips may be sown in ground that was richly manured for n previous ero" Make the ground very firm, and sow the seed thinly in drills 12 inches apart.

Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable notes about:—Sowing nwcet pens, -routine-work,- and vegetables.