IN THE GARDEN

Shannon News, 8 January 1926, Page 4

IN THE GARDEN

At this season of the year the garden-;, is apt to get neglected, weeds are not appearing so quickly and tRe garden is often left to take care of itself, but at no time is it so important to keep the surface soil well loosened, use a Dutch hoe and keep a good surface tillage among the plants, being careful at the same time not to disturb the roots. The results will be apparent in healthier growth with better crops. This surface tillage applies equally to all growing things whether fruit, flowers, or vegetables, being particularly valuable where water is not available during tke hot dry weather. Mulch the trees and shrubs that were planted out last season. Any vegetable matter will do, or lawn grass clippings, this will be of great assistance to them during the dry spell. Some may need watering, especially the rhododendrons which root near the surface. In cases where the first crop of roses are over cut the wood back to half its length, and with occasional liquid dressings of manure some good blooms from, the second growth will result in the autumn. Dahlias are growing freely and should be staked, three stakes should be allowed each plant, keeping the growths tied in with lengths of raffia as they advance in height. This method secures the plant from swaying backwards and forwards with the wind. To grow dahlias successfully they should only have one stem, pinch out the top as soon as it is about six Inches high. The plant will then branch out and three or four of the strongest shoots should be selected and the rest cut away. When watering has been resorted to among the bedding annuals, the soil will need a weekly stirring with the 1 hoe, this helps to retain the moisture and admits air more freely to the roots. Uiirysanthemums respond readily to cultivation, and budding, watering and feeding must be attended to if good*.exhibition blooms are required. The Vegetable Garden.

Gardening during the hot dry 'months is not attractive, but if a supply of fresh vegetables is needed for winter • and early spring months, it is imperative*that a certain amount be clone. As;the early potatoes are dug plants of savoy cabbage, late cauliflower etc., should be set in and these roust be kept watered until well rooted, also plant celery and leeks, and keep all growing crops well loosened with the hoe. If not already done sow a few rows Of swedes for wintor use. A few pumpkins and marrows could still be sown, and a few tomato plants set in to follow the eaily ones for late use. Continue sowing of beans and lettuce if a shady place be available and plenty of moisture. Dahlias. The end of the planting season is now at hand and those wishing to add a few more to their collections should do so without further delay. Dahlias are now a largely grown and popular garden flower and there are ■ nvany beautiful varieties on the marI ket. The standard of a good dahlia has altered in recent years, the outstanding feature of merit being a long stiff upright stem which holds the bloom erect. This feature renders them more decorative for garden display. Many of the giant decorative are among this type, a conspicuous ar.d very desirable variety being King i of Autumn, beautiful in form and colouring. Mrs Ernest Cant, Big Ben and Defiance are also good. The Paeony type, is very effective for garden display owing to their free flowering qualities, immense size of biooms, and length of flower stems. Among the most popular are Orangeman, Gorgeous, Autumn Tints, Goblin, Fan Tan and London. The Cactus dahlia is perhaps the most popular of all and the newer varieties are wonderfully goood. Mammoth, Champion. Mrs C. A. Gillatt, Silver Hill Park, F. W. Fellows and Pierroit are all splendid exhibition varieties. The Collarettes and single types are largely grown for cut flower work, they embrace a wide range of delightful colourings. Dahlias planted now] and given a little attention in the way of watering and mulching until ' the autumn rains set in amply repay | with a wealth of bloom until the first frosts appear. In large borders they ae indispensable, taking up space and effectually keeping down weeds. Bulbs. Where the ground is not too hard to commence operations, the beds for the narcissi family should be prepared in readiness for planting. Soma growers maintain that the bulbs should be planted again as soon as they show signs of being well dried off, after the lifting, planting them in January. This applies to those intended for the exhibition table, others prefer* to wait until March, but in any case the operation should not be delayed beyond that peribd. There are many other things requiring attention at that time however, and it convenient to get the narcissi in their Dermanent quarters in January, so

much the better. Perfect drainage is i the one great essintial. In heavy soils where the water does not get away too quickly, the bed should be raised several inches, and if specially good results are looked for dig out the soil to a depth of three feet, well loosen the soil at the bottom and put in some good turf mixed with broken bones and cow manure. Do not put any of the latter too near the surface, as the bulbs must not come in contact with the manure. Of course good bulbs may be grown without digging out to the depth mentioned especially where the soil is lighter and the clay a greater distance below the surface, but on heavy clay soils it is advisable to follow J out the above directions. Plant the bulbs about four inches deep. After the bed is formed and the bulbs planted very little attention is required beyond occasional weedings and a little, top dressing of basic slag -when the buds have formed. The majority

of the new varieties are prohibitive in price to the ordinary amateur, but there are many well worth growing on a cheaper scale. Among the trumpets, Admiral Makaroff, Cleopatra, King Alfred,, King Norton, Lord Roberts and Leiden Jar are all good and moderately priced. oGod white trumpets are to be had in Alice Knights, Lady Audrey, Madame de Graft, and Mrs R. Sydenham. In the Incompar&bilis section there are large numbers to choose from with varying lengths of cup. Among the lowpriced and also popular ones are Bernadino, Gloria Mundi, Homespun, Lemon Queen, Noble, Magog Improved, Fleetwing, Great Warley, and Southern Queen. The Giant Leedsii are very desirable and good exhibition blooms at a low price may be procured from Maggie May, Priscilla, Ermine, Capella, and Longfellow. A few of the small cupped Barrii should be grown, they are dainty and charmis i; for all cut flower work. The PCetaz are great favourites, one of the most showy being Admiration, Jaune-a-Merveille and Lucrece are also good. A few of the double rose-flow-ered daffodils should be included. Ihose interested in early flowering vaiieties for market purposes should grow Golden Spur a very early yellow trumpet, Princeps the earliest blcolour, Glorious, Grand Soleil d'Or and Paper White are all good early polyanthus varieties. To obtain early blooms, shelter from cold winds, a sunny site and good drainage are required. ■