THE GARDEN.

Shannon News, 17 February 1925, Page 4

THE GARDEN.

With-the continued spell of hot dry weather garden plants generally are needing a little moisture, especially the dahlias. These plants are rapidly developing, throwing out numerous sides shoots ladlen with promising-look. ins buds. Keep all weeds down and apply liquid manure twice a week, it the green caterpillar should appear in any quantity, a timely spraying must be made, with some arsenic of lead preparation, these pests feed on the buds, and half-opened blooms, thereby x-uining a large number, of flowers. Dahlias which have not been cut back are in full bloom, and will prove rather disappointing unless well supplied with moisture. Sow seeds of all hardy annuals and perennials in boxes or pans near the shelter of a shady wall or tree.

If the soil is kept in a moist condl. tion on the surface, the seeds will germinate rapidly, and sturdy plants will then be available for autumn planting. Perrenials such as geum, gail. lardia, antirrihnum, lupin, delphinium, pansies, dianthus, wali. flower, and many others of a hardy nature. Anuals should include nemesia, stocks, godetia, cornflower, clarkia, larkspur, poppies, linaria, es.chs. choltzia, and mignonette. The new hybrid friezias, seed of which may be obtained now, will bloom in late spring if sown at the present time. They are easily raised and prove very interest. in.g, with usually a good range of col. ours. Sow Sweet Peas. This is the best month to make sow. ings of sweet peas if they are wanted for exhibtlon purposes. If they are sown later they are rarely in time for the summer shows, which are timed to catch the best roses. Adopt the trench system if large blooms are wanted for exliibting, digging out at least two feet of soil, saving the top spit to replace on top, after the trench has been filled with well-rotted farm-yard manure.

Soak the ground well with water be fore .sowing, and it is also advisable to make a small chipping on one of the round sides of the seed, being careful to only peel the surface skin. Do not plant closer than one foot apart and keep the soil moist until the seed germinates. Procure good seed from a reliable firm, the following are among the leading exhibition varieties, Royal Scott, hawl mark lavender, sunset, re. nown, Annie Ireland, warrior, gloriosa, picture, bunty, Colne Valley, charity, George Shawyer, these are all large flowering varieties, producing waved blooms of the true Spencer type. Among the 1924 novelties which should be well worth cultivating are President Harding and tangerine. President Harding is described as a brilliant cerise, suffused with orane. Tangerine as the name indicates Is a rich orange and would be a welcome addition am one" sweet peas. Vegetables. In the vegetable garden little can b e done beyond spraying tomato, cauliflower, and cabbage plants, hoeing and watering all growing plants where possible. A New Marguerite. Lovers of the ox_eye daisy type of flower, will welcome the new white Marguerite (Chrysanthemum" Maximum). This new specie differs from other varieties in this class, by its deeply laciniated and fringed petals, which add a touch of distinction to the plant. Other types of maximum chrysanthemum have broad petals of great substance, and have always proved popular as a perennial border plant on account of their extreme hardiness, easy cultivation, and the long-lasting qualities of their blooms. The new fringed variety will be doubly welcomed as the plant when in full bloom is wonderfully attractive, the flowers presenting a very dainty ele. gant appearance. The plant grows into a compact bush, with a low habit of growth, narrow leaves, the blooms being carried on long upright stems. Flowers of purest white, with large centre disc of lemon, which are produced in profusion during the summer and autumn months, the individual blooms measuring from three to four inches across. Knipliofias. Among our many hardly herbaceous perennial!?, blooming at the present time, none are more attractive than our knipliofias. These plants are know under a variety of names, which include, tritoma, red.hot poker and torch lily. The newer varieties are not so well known as the original (kniphofia aloides) which is wellknown and a great favourite, producing glorious flame-coloured flowers for from three to four months, the flower stems often attaining a height of from seven to eight feet. Among those flowering at a similar time and of the same height is Egypt (sulphur yellow) Em. press Ibright scarlet). Triumph and maxima are deep yellow in colour, with torchlight a bright striking flame colour.

Among those ranging from one and a-liali: to three feet in height are burchellii with orange flowers, while an attractive variety goes under the name of modesta, and northiae with yellow flowers. These plants are sometimes used as subjects for the wild garden, but are really much too valuable for that purpose. For making a splash or colour against a too sombre background they prove invaluable, grouped to display the lower growing varieties in the foreground. Their culture is not a matter of much difficulty, a s they succeed in any ordinary good garden soil, and are usualy propagated by divison of the root stock. In a few years time they grow into large clumps, which need very little atten. tion, while grown in the borders, In company with gaillardias they appear to great advantage.