GARDENING NOTES.

Shannon News, 26 May 1925, Page 4

GARDENING NOTES.

The soaking rains have proved of great advantage to the garden, and a great deal of work can now be got on with. The subsoil has had a good soaking and the planting and transplanting of shrubs may be safely accomplished. Plants-of primroses and polyanthus may be lifted and divided, also violets. Paeonies, where necessary, are best lifted now, although these plants give of their best when they are allowed to remain undisturbed, but give them a good top-dressing of manure. Irises of the Kaempferi, Gcrmanica, and Flag species may be lifted and divided; provide them with some good rich soil with manure added for specially good results. All narcissi and daffodils still out of the ground should be planted at once. Gladioli seed sav<fli this season may be sown in the open ground now. The Vegetable Garden. Mulch rhubarb beds with a good layer of stable or cow manure, also apply some superphosphate at the -rate of a handful to each plant, -hate sown carrots have made good growth and should be thinned out. The lower leaves should be pulled off plants of Brussels sprouts; this induces the “buttons” to form quicker. There is spares room now in most gardens and vacant plots could be sown with mustard seed, which is cheap, and the crop dug in, in about six to eight weeks’ time; this will materially improve the spring crops. Roses.

Climbing and rambler roses should have the long growths tied in, and the old growths .which have flowered, should be cut away. The autumn show of bedding roses has been fine this season, and varieties which have done well should be noted and increased where possible, even if it means doing away with some less perpetual flowering varieties. A rose which blooms for many months is much to be preferred, as a bedding subject, to one that only blooms one month out of the twelve. In rose growing there are two things which must always be remembered. First, the rose is a gross feeder and requires a large amount of nourishment to come to perfection; secondly, a healthy condition of the roots is necessary. Basic slag is a good manure for roses, and should be applied now. For many years slag has been scarce and high in price, _ but it has now reached a, more reasonable figure, and rose growers cannot do better than secure a supply, and apply as soon as possible. Ten ounces to each plant is not too much and should be scattered on the soil, immediately mixing it with the first two or threg inches of top soil. If just thrown down and left for a l'ew days it will be found to have run together, thereby decreasing its value, as it cannot be. broken i into powder again. Also use i a little sulphate of iron for the roses; this is perhaps useful, not so much as ;a manure as an antiseptic, but- at the same time iron is very necessary to the plant, and intensifies the colour of the blooms. It has been claimed that sulphate of iron prevents loss of nitrogen through the winter months, but care should be taken in applying it as it is dangerous if used in excess. Half an ounce is quite sufficient for each rose tree, and it should be applied now to obtain the full benefit. Colour in the Garden.

Colour is gradually receding from the garden; frosts have blackened the dahlias and all the tender annuals. The chrysanthemum holds pride of place, and it is at this time that the garden most fully appreciates these beautiful autumn flowers, which add prolonged lingering touches of brightness while most things are preparing for their winter rest. A few beautiful autumn foliage trees are yet loath to part with their bright leaves, and the bright red berries of solanum are won-: derfully decorative; this shrub is also known as the Jerusalem cherry. Old blooms of scabious, antirrhinums and rudbekia bicolour are braving the elements. The latter with its wonderfully attractive embossed centre and gold and brown petals has been in constant bloom since early spring. Early flowering ericas are rapidly developing pretty pink buds, and a few blooms are also to be found on plants of the charming blue winter iris. A few lovely berries linger on the ■ spindle tree, while dainty blooms from the iceland poppies in orange and yellow daily make their appearance. Occasionally a rose bud peeps forth from the rose borders, and is made much of by the gardener, who perforce must await the coming of spring to once more fill the garden with a not or colour and subtle sweet perfume.

Anemone Coronana. To have fine healthy plants and magnificent blooms of these poplar spring flowers, the writer has found that they are best grown from, ' rasing a batch each year. Seed be sown in spring or autumn and is best rubbed through sand to separate it Cover lightly with fine soil. Anemones are shallow rooters but gross feeders, and when well treated they do not take long to bloom. A well-dug loamy piece of ground suits them admirably with free access to the morning sunshine. When the seedlings are ready for transplanting prepare a trench from eight to nine incnes deep and fill with cow manure if possible, tramp down and fill up with good soil, setting out the young seedlings six inches apart. It is very desirable that a good strain of seed be procured, as there is nothing so annoying and disappointing to the gardener, who has scrupulously provided his seedlings with everything necessary, to be finally rewarded with inferior blooms and still more inferior washed out colourings.