IN THE GARDEN.

Shannon News, 17 November 1925, Page 4

IN THE GARDEN.

\ * Frequent showers have proved of great benefit to the garden. The soil is easily broken up and is in an ideal condition for planting out seedlings. Dahlias are starting into growth and should be planted in their permanent quarters. Dahlias and chrysanthemums are great autumn bloomers, every garden, however small, should hare a few . Bed of cannas may be planted now. These, with their wonderfully tropical appearance, combined AUth the rich colouring of their blooms ,are a never-failing source of delight in the garden. Their effect is enhanced if bright red or yellow dwarf nasturiiums border them, or the charming scarlet bedding begonias. Cannas like a situation sheltered from rough cutting winds, (they [are .gross feeders, responding quickly to heavy top dressings of manure; they are also easily raised from deed, blooming the second seai son. Keep the blooms of sweet-peas cut close, if allowed to seed, they soon cease blooming; if specially good blooms are wanted give copious dressings of liquid manure; sootwater is much favoured as a means of adding depth of colour to the blooms. Roses will' benefit by applications of liquid manure, these should be disbudded if good blooms are the first consideration. Save the clippings 1 from the lawn, these make an, admirable and easily applied mulching for the roses and dahlias later on in order to conserve moisture.

The Vegetable Garden. The weather has not been too kind lately for the welfare of tomato and cucumber plants, the unusually late frosts taking toll in low # lying districts. Fortunately it is not too late to replant damaged crops. Main crop mangolds, swedes, turnips and carrots may be sown, and all varieties of garden vegetables. Continue plant • ing potatoes. Asparagus beds are ready for cutting , and will benefit, from a sprinkling- of salt, all the shoots should be cut; if inferior ones are left the plants cease throwing up fresh shoots. The Rock Garden. There is scarcely a gardener .who has not a lurking ambition to possess a rock garden." The absence of suit, able" material is often the discouraging factor, deterring many from making the attempt. Rock gardening appeals with singular force to the amateur either as a hobby or pastime. It certainly has many advantages, as a rock" garden can be car. ried out in a limited, space. The initial outlay depends largely on the mater-

ial used, and the distance it has to be conveyed, but the upkeep in after years does not run to a fraction of what bedding plahts usually cost. The display of the rock garden is often greater and the pleasure more satisfying, while the practical work associated with rock plants affords healthy relaxation from business work and worry. The site of the rock garden is of first importance. Whenever possible choose a sunny position in the open, away from high walls and large trees. Some shelter from cold prevailing winds is necessary, but this can be supplied by planting a few hardy shrubs of moderate growth near the rock garden, ' to act as a screen against cutting winds. Tall trees cause too much shade, and the drip from them during wet weather is often fatal to choice rock plants; also the tree roots soon find the good soil, and in a few years will exhaust it. High walls prevent a free circulation of ah*, and cut off much of the natural - supply of rain... A rock garden may be anything from a low, almost flat, series of undulating beds or mounds, up to terraced hills of soil, built up with masses of rock' the latter ir usually too intricate for anyone but ! an expert to manffg'c. Where stone i is scarce the low type of rock garden 1 is best. Many gardens suffer from a 1 surfeit of rock, and it is quite a mistaken idea to suppose that large quantities of rock are necessary. Confine your outline to irregular lines, avoiding anything that * is mathematically correct, make - intervals of stone and soil, and give each bay or projection a touch of character of its own. Do not attempt anything elaborate, simplicity should be the keynote throughout. Suppose the ground is flat, narrow, and of moderate length, then the highest point ynay be at one end or in the centre, but where undulating, follow the natural rise of the ground. The most, particular point is sto strive in .all building and arrangement, to make the rock garden appear a natural feature of the landscape and not as | a forced growth having no sympathy with its surroundings. The building should begin at ground level, with the edges of the first' stones concealed, make everything firm, using what pieces of rock are available in positions where they appear the most effective. ' Artificial stone is often used with good offect, but should only be employed when -natural stone , is not available. The former is usually made with Portland cement .often with small pebbles incorporated, care should be taken that -these blocks do not assume sharply angular shapes. Where a trickle of water can be arranged, or a small stream, | the charm of the rock garden is

greatly-enhanced. The water should i run into a pool, which has been excavated to the required depth and size, and line'd with cement or clay, here, water lilies will flourish, together with marsh and bog plants on the margins. Add some stone to make •the transition from rock 0 water garden less adrupt. Whatever arrangement of laying stone is followed the idea of forming crevices for tfie choider plants should be Kept well jn_ the foreground, and in building pack all spaces between the stones with soil and ram firmly, as scarcely any plant will succeed where it en. counters empty space at the roots. Most alpines thrive best in^ small ere. vices. Cement is often useful in binding small stones together, which is often a great help where a bolder outline is deemed necessary. Where obtainable, good limestone or sandstone is to.be preferred to. anything . else. Crushed limestone is very useful miked with soil, for those plants Which thrive in soil of a gritty .nature., A study should be made of each plant so as to erisure its being placed in a suitable position. Rock Garden Shrubs, Whether the rock garden be large or small, space should be found for a few shrubs, The number of varieties suitable for the purpose- is extensive. Some appeal by the beauty Of their flowers, ethers v by their foliage, while many have the afldL tional charm , /Of bright-cploure'd berries, which often appear at a tirne when flowers ,arp scarce. Slnubs may be had which range frpm a few inches in height, to several feet, while others are of prpsfiate habit and prove invaluable for rambling over stones and down rocky slopes. Weeding of the Rock Garden. In a ■ rock garden, it is never advisable to let the W-eds get, ahead for if 'the rock garden once get p really weedy, an enormous amount of lab r our will have to be bestowed upon it. A regular round of the rqck garden once a fortnight, which in 'tlie case of a smal garden, will only take half an hour, wall effeclively keep tfte rock garden free from weeds. The weeds should be taken out carefully so as not fo damage the roots of the growing plants; an old kitchen fork does: the w really well. After the blooming period of each plant, it is a wise plan to cut off all dead flowers, trimming back any long .straggly lengths of growth. At the end of the autumn there should be a general clearing up. All fallen -leaves, dead flowers and weeds should - be removed, mulching any plants which seem to i require it, finally making it all spick and span for the winter.