INTERESTING GARDEN TOPICS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10059, 29 January 1909, Page 4

INTERESTING GARDEN TOPICS.

(BT jAiTES GEBBIE.)

Notwithstanding that there are numerous localities suited to the cultivation of the strawberry this fruit is not cultivated to the extent it was formerly. At one time Oamaru could supply its own demand. Now we have to rely on Waimate and elsewhere for our supplies. For a number of years past the strawberry plant has been subject to a fungoid disease, which may account for its having dropped out of general cultivation. Within the last few years several varieties have been introduced into the Dominion which appear to be disease resisting. The latest introduction which has come under my notice is one called Melba, raised in Australia. A small-bed of these in Mr Edwards' nursery has done remarkably well this season, and reports from otheT parts of the district are very satisfactory. The plants are 6trong growers, very prolific, and the fruit is of large size and fine flavor. Strawberry plants may be put in when the runners are sufficiently rooted. If planted during the autumn a fair crop may be expected next season. They are generally cultivated ; n rows, the runners being removed as soon as they appear unless increase is wanted. The American system is to grow in beds about three feet wide and allow them to become matted. The trouble with this method is keeping down the weeds. The plantations should be Tenewed every three or four years. Romneya Coulteri, known also as the Californian tree poppy is flowering magnificently in several gardens. A paTticluarly fine specimen, with hundreds rf buds and expanded blossoms may be seen in Mr Hill's garden (Thames street). The large white crimped Bowel's, about six inches in diameter, never fail to attract attention. Another good specimen is to be seen in Mr Edwards' nursery. Coquet street. It is a native of California, and there are two varieties in cultivation, one being more floriferous than the other. It is an easily-grown shrub and well worthy of a place in the most select collections. The first time I saw this shrub in bloom was about- 27 years ago in Dunedin. A gentleman introduced a plant of it from Hobart under the name of Cistus grandiilora, and under that name it was cultivated for several years. It sends up annually a number of stray shoots from the root 6, and upon these the flowers are produced. When flowering is past, if a number of these shoots were removed it would allow the young growths to ripen their wood properly, thus ensuring a greater profusion of bloom next season. Double petunias have always been favorites with me, and no doubt others have a weakness for them also. Double petunias were obtained by fecundating the singles with the pollen o"f the doubles (the doubles lacking some of the organs necessary to seed production). The seedlings grown from such seed ran back to_a large percentage of simdes, and from 25 to 30 per cent of doubles was the highest ever expected. Now a German seed grower, F. Roemer. of Quedlinburgh. has raised a double variety, having perfectly-formed pistils. These can be fecundated with thenown pollen or with pollen of other fine doubles, and if this operation is done properly the seed pods will develop and produce seed. Such seeds will produce from 60 to TO per cent, of fine doubles. In doubleness and coloring these new petunias are said to be similar to the old strain of best double-fringed petunias. Concordia petunia is the name given to this novelty. Petunias, both single and double variety, are showy plants in beds and borders,"also for pot culture in the window or greenhouse. Of simple culture and freedom of bloom there are few plants to equal them. Dead Flowers.—The production of seed pods on a plant shortens the longevity of its beauty, as may be seen in the sweet pea, single dahlia, and a few other wellknown plants. Unless the blooms of the dahlias are removed as they begin to fade their beauty will be short-lived — two or three weeks at- the longest. Remove the withering blooms and they will continue flowering until frost nips the buds. Sweet peas shoujd be cut freely and with plenty of moisture at the roots their flowering oeriod will be prolonged for a considerable time. So with many other plants, annuals especially. It is important that they shall be removed early and regularly. The rule should be to cut off every flower as soon as it has passed the zenith of its beauty, so as to prevent- seed formation. A plant' 6 beauty is considerably marred by allowing seed pods, or dead and decaying flowers, to remain. The time devoted" to this operation by the grower will be amply repaid. A few evenings ago mention was made in the Mail of some large gooseberries, weighing a quarter of a pound. Looking up a record of large gooseberries. I find that in 1852 the largest and heaviest was Banks' London, which reached the weight of 57dwt- 7gr, in 1864 56dwt lgr; Snowdrop, 24dwt: Drill. 32d\vt: Thumper, oOjdwt. Careless. Freedom, Clayton, Catherine, Telegraph, and Thumper each weighed 50d\vt ana over. These are all Lancashire varieties, and are obtainable in the Dominion. Our climate is uu-siirpas.-ed for producing in abundance all kinds of small fruits, and of these gooseberries are the most popular for the cottage garden. Young and old never tire of spending a considerable time in a plantation of vipe gooseberries.