GARDENING NOTES.

Shannon News, 28 April 1925, Page 4

GARDENING NOTES.

Seeds of hardy annuals and peien nials may still be sown, also sweet peas. Set out plants of annuals and perennials from early sowings, Permanent quarters , where they will become well established before the ground gets too cold. All bulbous subjectmay still be planted, including 1 Hums, anemones, and ra'nancmes, also au , varieties, of the iris family. Top dress I 1 gardens and lawns with basic slag it not already done. Chrysanthemums intended for exhibition will be needing copious dressings of liquid manure, keep the soil stirred around the plants, this is necessary for the general well being of the plant. Protect all blooms from rough wather, it canvas coverings are not available, cut benzine tins off lengthways, insert two stakes on either side of the plant, sloping them outwards, set the tm on top of these pulling it taut with the aid of the stakes. By making use of this method, a good many plants can be quickly covered and uncovered as becomes necessary. The Vegetable Garden.

Seeds of lettuce, cabbage, onion, and cauliflower may be sown for early spring use. Chose early varieties ot both cabbage a'nd califlower. Tidy up generally and burn all refuse, top dressing where necessary. Plant strawberries. Michaelmas Daisies (Perennial Asters).

Michaelmas daisies (sometimes called starworts) are now in full bloom, filling a most important place in the hardy flower borders. They are very suitable for all cut flower work, and church decorations, also lighting up the borders and shrubberies with masse of blossoms throughout the autumn months, the latter varieties blooming well on into the early winter months when flowers are generally scarce. The graceful small foliaged varieties are of great value where light cloudy effects are required in the border, long borders, drives, shrubberies and hedge rows should be planted liberally with breadths of miehaelmas daisies to obtain fine colour effects in the autumn. The dwarfer varieties deserve prominent positions in the choice border and rock garden. The miehaelmas daisy is of the easiest culture, thriving in all soils and situations, unharmed by the most severe weather, they are specially valuable used as pot plants for indoor decorations. The newer varieties are a great improvement on old varieties, and are as yet little known. Perhaps [ the largest and best of these is King I George, which produces immense flowers measuring three inches in diameter, with broad florets of a rich violet blue with golden disc, the general effect of the plant, when in full' bloom is delightful. Perry's favourite is a lovely soft pink with golden centre, a most decorative variety for border display. The Ericoide varieties hav e fresh green heath like foilage, and produce small v dainty flowers borne on long graceful arching stems, their colours include silvery mauve, white, rosy mauve, pink and blush golden. A variety named Bar's pink is the finest pink miehaelmas daisy yet raised. Producing large open bright rose pink, semi-double flowers, with a showy gold a'nd bronze centre, a greatly admired plant wherever seen, and when better known will pr.ove a very popular a'nd welcome addition to this section of hardy perennial plants. Nymphaea's (Water Lilies) Of all phases of modern gardening none is more charming and attractive than water gardening, and of all plants used in this connection none is more beautiful and important than the Water Lily. Many rare species cf Nymphaea inhabit the fresh waters of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia, but few of them are suitable for cultivation in colder climates, except the common white water lily (Nymphaea Alba) of our lakes and ponds, and its rose coloured variety (Nymphaea alba rubra) often called the Swedish water lily. Other species include (the large white water lily) the gem of our aquatics, other hybrids of recent introduction include some beautiful vermilion red shades, also rosy pinks, and a good yellow with' large flowers, which goes under the name of Moorei. The culture of the water lily is not a difficult matter, if given a sunny position, as they do not flower freely until the water is well warmed by the sun. Hence it is much better to have a pond varying from one to three feet deep, most varities succeed best in shallow water, although many erroneously labour under the impression that water lilies can only be grown in deep water, the large white water lily accommodates itself to any depth oi water with success. In many localities where the subsoils are of a clayey nature ponds are quickly and easily

made, after the style of the dams which are provided for watering stock on many farms, providing some richer soil is used on ,the'top of the clay, as most of the hardy water lilies grow by means of rhizomes which spread about among the mud emitting long fleshy roots, As received for planting they usually consist of a short piece of rhizome with a growing point. The > best method is to plant this in an open wicker basket, using good loam with a little well rotted cow manure, sufficient room being left on the top of the basket for a couple of fairly heavy stones to keep it from floating when placed in the water. If the rhizomes should be very weak and small it is better to grow them in small tubs for a time, until strong enough to put out in the pond. The water in the tubs should not be changed, but only added to, to make good any loss by evaporation. In subsequent years water lilies give little trouble,-the .strongest growers will in time become a mass of "crowns" with the result that many of the leaves in the centre of the mass will be pushed above the water, often hiding- the flowers, fewer flowers ara produced when this condition arises. The remedy is.to thin out the crowns, an operation obviously only possible in comparatively shallow water. The best time to work is just when growth is commencing in spring, and the young leaves can be seen rising to the surface. A sharp spade is a suitable tool, with which to cut through the rhizome at some convenient place behind the growing point. When the water becomes muddy, a little practice will enable the operator to find the crowned rhizomes by feeling about with the spade. A strong rake is usually necessary to wrench the separated portion out of the mud. There is sometimes hesitation about having a tank" or pond deep enough for water lilies on account of danger to children, but th'ere is a way of constructing either, which minimises the danger. This is to have the outer portion for a yard or two, only a foot deep, this also provides a way of having plants in pots, that thrive in shallow water.