GARDENING NOTES.

Shannon News, 12 August 1924, Page 4

GARDENING NOTES.

An early start is necessary for the successful garden. Get ail available ground turned, over in readiness foi operations as time and weather conditions permit. The old maxim: “I.eve. j put off till tomorrow, what you can j do to-day” is never more true Inai. ; when applied, to the gardener, who is always at the mercy of the. weathei. I The ground is still too cold tto P cr " j mit of sowings of small seeds, uiness ■ a hot-bed is provided, but in favour- j able, well-drained nlots early potatoes j may be planted and sowings of broad | beans and peas, cabbage, cauliflo'wei, onion and. lettuce• plants, may be sei out, keeping close watch for the troblesome slugs and small birds. All hardy flowering annuals and perennials • may safely be planted for early blooming, including shocks linaTia, godetia, lhrkspur, delphinium, eschscholtzia, amemone, ranunculus, Iceland poppy, primula, malacoides, l antirrhinum, pansy, memesia, These ’ all help to brighten the garden before the tender variety, can be cultivated. Winter is passing, spring is near at hand and our thoughts turn toward the garden. The aim of the true gardener and lover of nature tends towards making every available spot beautiful. To make an attractive _ plot gay and bright with growing plants eireates a desire and a growing tendency to brighten others, which look dull by comparison, until the whole made beautiful ends in .giving pleasure to many, wliile giving also an uplifting influence well worthy the gardener’s efforts. of homes usually has a few nooks that cam be made wonderfully attraetiyc with a \ little time devoted to them, adding a 1 cheeriness to the humblest home. The I indispensable vegetable garden also 1 has its atractions, providing anabundI ance of one of our most necessary 1 foods, which in their freshly gathered state are always nutritious and full flavoured.

Get in Early. The Garden Queen Those fortunate enough to own enbugh garden room to provide rdse beds will find that, their culture a most attractive subject. Much might be written of th e ever popular rose, classed by many as the queen of the garden. Their . easy cultivation presents no serious .difficulties to the amateur. Pruning: operations which commenced from-, now on all throngh August, are sometimes too sparingly carried out, the amateur showing a •decided aversion, to cutting too close, but experiments in this direction will prove conclusively the 1 necessity of doing'so. The plants will make stronger shoots with lefrger blooms. Give the beds a liberal dressing' of stable or farm yard manure, if possible, well liming soil of a heavy nature. Roses are gross feeders and will take all you can give them.

New Varieties. Those who are thinking of planting will find a wide range of varieties to choose from, ati nurseries which specialise in roses? First and foremost among them are the beautiful decorative' varieties, their bewitching colourings, making the choice difficult. Among the recent introductions is “Lorna,” with an entirely new shade of colour, a ttfue vieux rose, semi double and free blooming. It _ was raised by Mr. F. Penn, of Cambridge, and formerly of Otaki, and is sure to become a great favourite when better known. “Sunstar” is another of the same type, which is best described as possessing all the shades of ithe setting sun, with a Hinge of carmine margining the petals, glorious in the bud stage. “Exquisite” is another well worth a place, with its lovely salmon rose, long pointed buds. Among others worthy Of mention is ‘Emma Wright,” a pure organe without shading beautiful ati all stages and a telling colour in the garden, with the added attraction of beautiful glossy foliage, and a metallic sheen. It is not a very robust grower but may be ■ forgiyen on account of its extreme prettiness. “Madame E. Heriot,” with its unique colouring hard to describe, is one that will always hold its own. It is a strong grower, and a continuous bloomer, with one exception to the general rule, that it does not take kindly to hard pruning. A climbing sport of “M ; E. Heriot” of recent introduction will prove a great acquisition, and will make an ideal pillar rose. Among the reds Classed as decorative roses “Hawlmark Crimson,”'Red Letter Day” and “K of K,” are ideal with their rich colourings. “Blackboy” striking a deeper note of colour, "Golden Heriot” “Gorgeous,” Golden Emblem” and “Lady Hillingdon” are all beautiful roses, with yellow and orange shadings, also the single Irish roses, with their exquisite long pointed buds are indispensable. Another old rose which has lately come into favour •is the “Australian Copper,” a briar species of vivid colouring, with predominantly tints of reddish copper. A few of our best exhibition varieties with a wide range of colours are among the following: “Hadley,” “Caroline Testout,” “Hugh Dickson” “Dean Hole,’’ “Margai-et Dickson." “Hamil,” “Miss Wllniott,” “Mrs. Chas. Lamplough," , “Mrs. Henry Morse,” “Mrs. George Shawyer," “Mademoiselle -Louise Crette” and “Frau Karl Druschke.” Climbing; roses- have made rapid strides in recent years, and are growing in popularity. Many 'beautiful species are now obtainable. A difficulty often arises for a suitable place for planting. PeTgolas show blooms off to great advantage, • and are not difficult to construct, often making a refreshing break to a flat garden.

Large lifnljs from Macrocarpa trees prove very effective if, nothing else is available. If'tihe precaution is taken of 1 tarring the butts of the thick uprights, they will last much longer, using .‘the smaller parts of/ limbs as fancy dietates.'Plant the glorious bright coloured varieties and they will strike a dominant feature in the landscape ,

“Flying Colours,” a recent introduction, produces intense large single glowing scarlet blooms. Another

glorious brilliant single scarlet with a yellow centre is “Hiawatha,” blooming in huge clusters. “Scorcher” is another one of recent origin, its unique flaming colour, contrasting a dmirablly• with the green- foliage, ;u:d must be seen to be fully appreciated. “Ruby Alison” is a .semi-double, scarlet with a decided white, eye. Rs rapid growth quickly covers a trellis, also having, the advantage of being in continuous , bloom. ■ The.. “American Pillar,” is another rampant grower, with immense clusters of -single pink blooms with long yellow stamens and white eye,, also possessing ' beautiful glossy foliage which assumes. coppery metallic tints in the late autumn.

, a good companion to the latter is J the - “Blush Rambler,” of much the same type, with colourings of a lovely blush pink, toning towards a lighter shade in the centre. Where this is | seen growing well it is always admir- , ed and presents a very attractive I mass of colour. Among the yellow J ramblers "Emily Cray” and “Shower ; of Gold” please the eye with their I beautiful clusters of yellow blooms. *

“Allister Stella, Gray,” a well-known quickly growing rambler, with orange, centre, shading almost to white on the outside petals is still a very popular rose. "White, Dorothy” and ‘Silver Moon” are among- the best of our white climbefs. Grown among the brighter colours they show to advantage.