GARDEN NOTES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 24, 23 October 1920, Page 14

GARDEN NOTES

(By "Kowhai.") ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. "Nitrate of Scda.'-Kltrato of mils, may be Ufeii dry. iiivl should be lightly pricked into the' soil about caboage, .cauliMower, and lettuce, etc., plants, using it at the rate of loz. to 1 yard run. The plants will not, of course, get the use of it until rain has dissolved it and carried it to tho roots. At this timo of the year it ia better to dissolve the nitrate tlrst, using J or loz. to 1 gallon of water. It is better to begin „iYilh Joz. to 1 kkilon of water. Then, aa the plants crow, Increase the strength to loz. to 1 Ballon ojf water. Boiore applying the solution, water tho planU thoroughly, and then, while tho soil is still wet. give the plisflta about a cupful each of tins solution, filtrate of soda in (solution may rtlas be given directly after rain. Never Eive it to plants wiicn the soil is dry. Oaubages, cauliflowers, lettuces, and all greens may bo given nitrate of soda once a tortnight. Potatoes • may have a dose just before they are earthed up. Pumpkins, marrows, and cucumbers* may be given ouo-doBO to.induce them to make quick growth, but no more, or they will mute leaf growth at the expense ot fruit. A - truto of soda is not, nt a rule, used witll root crops, such as carrotß, parsnips, etc.

CARNATIONS. I Seedling carnations and rooted cuttings I should have the tops nipped on them to make them branch out from the base. If this is neglected the tiny, plant* will .often run up into a long tip (lowcni s. stcni, and will so Mhaubt themselves m the effort that they will be a long time recovering. Old soot that has been we 1 exposed to the air should be lightly dust, ed over all .carnation plants an wot water should be given to those th.it "o already flower tag, or are going to nower. he watered a eo, occas.onalb. iitif vwv weak salt water. Carnations I knowiiVlike salt and soot and their liking for salt ma es them plants'for aeawde gardens. V.eii.ronn plan that are about te flower need « little special attention just now. in the t°heae r ,' and will have a ~ to m that develop will be much liner. SCIIIZANTIIUS. This is a charming little annual that preadlng bushes, and are no,v a maw of tVof and\ L ,Vleafaoil have been added. For-seaside gardens, sclizuithua k sileiidid, the plants doing well c\et n Jure .and. but they should be planted Kir v close about one loot apart each wiy) ad should be protected from strong wind Seeds may still be sown for adsplay in summer, or seedlings may be purchased now. VEGETABLES,

Now that the'weather lias at last become warmer, and the soil has warmed 'un, there is work lor every minute ot daylight, whilo during the evening stugß and snails should receive the drastic treatment they deserve. After eecing the rapidity with which thoy can account lor whole rows of tender.seedlings, the average gardener has little mercy left for these pests. But hard work in a vegetable garden seldom goes unrewarded, lor vegetables are wonderfully responsive, and quickly Bhow their appreciation of good treatment. Seedlines that arc well

through the ground may have a little superphosphate uprinkled about them. This will be hoed in, and the Jirst shower will carry it to the roots.' It is a quickacting manure, and gives the plants a good start. Thinning out should be attended to as soon aB the seedlings are big enough to handle. Give the rows, a gtood watering as soon as this process is completed. Soot need novcr be wasted. Sprinkled along the rows of Bce'dlings and hoed in, il. is a valuable fertiliser. SEEDS TO BE 60WN.

SEEDS TO BE 60WN. Radish—Sow broadcast in rich firm soil. Carrot (Short Horn or Interincdiate).Sow thinly in drills 12 inches apart. Turnip—Sow in ground that was richly. manured for a previous crop, or in grounai that-was minuted earlv in the autumn. Make the aoil very firm, and sow thinly in drills 12 inches apart* Keep the ground 43 moiet as possible, and dust soot ovel tho seedlings frequently. Garden Swede-Same treatment as for turnips. Sow thinly iu drills 18 inches apart, and thin out'to 6or 8 inches m the 'rows. • Pens.—Sow in drills from two to three feet apart. Ground should be trenched and manured and should have woodaßhes mixed with it. Dust bonedust in the drills when Bowing. Soak the peas m warm water for a fow hours before sowing. Provide strands of black cottoit, aB •btherwiso sparrows will dig up and cat the seed. • Parsnips-Sow in ground that was well manured for a previous crop. Work the soil to a fine tilth for a. depfch of-.eigliteeri inches', for any bumps may cause deformed and worthless roots. Onions.-Mako the soil very nrm by treading on it before sowing. Sow the seed in drills twelve inches apart in deep-ly-dug, well-enriched soil. , , French lieaiiß.-'jow in drills two feet apart, and have the seeds six inches apart in the rows. Dust bonedust-in the drills at tho time of sowing, and give a slight dressing of superphosphate as soon as tne plants are a couple of inches high. Beet.-A light sandy soil is the beat ono for beet Sow the seed iu drills eighteen Inches apart in ground that v was manured for a previous crop. Preen manure would be harmful to the roots, lne ground should be deeply dug and made firm again before sowing the seed. Dust bonedust in the drills at the time of towing As soon as the seedlings are big enough to handle, thin them out. Seeds of cabbages', savoys, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflowers should be sown this month. Great care musl.be taken to prevent the seedlings suilcring from drought at any time Sow secau of pumpkins, marrows, pie melons, and cucumbers.

SALADS. Tho sowing of salad's should be attended to without delay, for with the approach of warmer weather we begin to thiuk of such delights as cold spring lamb or ox tongue with a dainty salad. Salads must be grown 'i.uickly i» te aioyablc: therefore the soil should be well prepared and rich, and hoeing between the rows must be almost a daily occu-, patiou. ENDIVE. Endive is ono of the hardiest of.salad vegetables. Plants from seed sown m the autumn have come through the winter well and are now ready for blanching. This is done by tying tne leaves closmy up together with rania. Do not tie all the plants up at once. A few may be done every two or three weeks. Endive likes a deeply-dug, fairly rich Boil, A pinch of seed sown at mtervalß ol about six weeks will keep a constant supply ql plants in the garden.' LETTUCE. Lettuce seed, at this time of tho year, should be sown in drills in the garden. Sow two or three seeds at intervals of a foot in'the drills, and have the dri la about eighteen incheß apart. It all the seeds germinate, cut out the surplus plants. The soil should be fairly rich and deeply dug, but should be mane firm again before tho Beed ib sown, lcr lettuces "heart" more uuickly if grown in firm soil. Both the seeds and the seedlings need protection tram sparrows. Busy amateur gardeners will linn that it is a great saving of time ana labour to make a simply of wiro netting protective rames to place over their drills until vegetable seedlings are sufficiently advanced to bo free from tho attacks of birds. MUSTAItI) AND CI!E«S. Mustard and cress are uuickly grown saladb. Tho seed may be sown cither in nrepared beds in the garden, or in boxes on a sunny verandah. As is necessary lor all eala'ds, the soil must be lairly rich and thoroughly worked, for quick growth ia essential. Before sowing, make the soil firm. Sow the seed broadcast and rather thick. Do not cover it witn soil, but immediately water the bed thoroughly Cover the bed with brush or 60ine light material till the seed germinates. KADIoIIES. Ono must still look for a warm, sunny comer Tor radißhcs. Have the soil deeply worked, rich, and firm. Once the seedlings are up, keep them well watered and well fed with weak liquid manure. Garden Notes next week will contain seasonable uoteß about begonias, heliotrope and vegetables.

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