IN THE GARDEN

Shannon News, 4 May 1926, Page 4

IN THE GARDEN

The labour of setting out the plants destined for early spring blooming l may now be undertaken. Owing to the lateness of autumn showers, this very necessary work has been delayed. Those who have sown sweet peas in pots or boxes should transplant to their permanent quarters as soon as possible. ATI other plants large enough to handle may with advantage be transferred to the . open border. This will give them a chance to get rooted before the cold weather sets in. Many of , the summer/annuals are ready for removal, having finished their blooming period, and these bare spaces should be refilled in order to keep the garden gay with flowers for as many months in the year as possinß. Violets are producing quite a number of autumn blooms, and early flowering bulbs are already pushing their way through the soil. 1 The Vegetable Garden. In the vegetable garden a few eschallots may be planted; these ate often neglected in private gardens, yet nothing is more useful, especially in the late winter and early spring months, when the fresh leaves may be frequently cut for mixing with salads. At that, time of the year, anything green is much appreciated, and the eschallot is so easily grown, requiring no attention beyond the keeping down of weeds. ' Sow lettuce and radish seeds and lift and store 'all potatoes before the soil gets too wet. Earth up celery beds and leeks, and plailt strawberry beds. Gather all the manure and fallen loaves available; a good stock of manure is a valuable asset to the garden. Delphiniums from Seed. It is difficult to avoid the U3e of extravagant language when writing about the modern delphinium. It is one of those plants which has yielded very readily to the touch of the Hybridist, and the progress made during the past quarter of a century ' is nothing short of marvellous. Not only in the wondrous colour of the blossoms do we mark the improvement in modern types, but in the magnificence of the spike and the size and form of the individual blossoms with their wonderful spreading centres, we can see what has" been done towards the improvement of this beautiful race of perennials. WJien we consider how great a variety may be produced from a single packet of seeds, one sometimes wonders why amateurs do not more often indulge in the fascinating pursuit of raising their own seedlings. Some of my gardening friends * have abandoned the attempt to do this, because as soon as the plants have appeared above the soil, they have been promptly demolished by slugs and snails. The fearful ravages which these pests perpetrate on seedling delphiniums are certainly a force to be reckoned with; but If the grower is prepared to exeicise unceasing vigilance against these foes, there are no other difficulties in the way of getting together a fine stock of plants from seed. One important point to remember is to secure seeds from a reliable source, and when the grower has succeeded in doing this some delightful surprises will result from the seedling plants On account of the damage done by slugs, the seed should always be sown in boxes raised off the ground. Seed sown at the present time will produce fine healthy plants for setting out in the early spring, or seed sowing may be left until spring, the plants then blooming the following

autumn; but the spikes should be cut away as soon as possible, so as to allow the plant to concentrate on the growth of the crowns. A covering of ashes is a good protection during the winter and spring months. Delphiniums are charming when used on a lavish scale as a background to a blue border, and who does not love a large border devoted to various blue-flowered plants? Delphiniums in the background, then blue lupins, grey-blue poppies and blue violas and forget-me-nots. Hedges—Decidutfus and Evergreen. Now that the autumn showers have commenced, the planting of hedges may with advantage be undertaken. Evergreens in particular should be planted while the soil is warm enough to encourage the formation of fibrous roots, which secure the plant against the effects of a dry spring or summer. Generally speaking, ; not enough pains are taken with the planting of hedges, the usual method being to dig holes, set the , plants in, and leave them to take care of themselves. All hedges can be hastened by liberal culture. A good hedge may be obtained in three years, but the plants must have something in the soil to make them grow. The ground should be well dug and manured, placing the plants about nine inches apart. The ground should be kept hoed two feet on . cither side. Allowing weeds a free hand is quite enough to exercise a crippling effect from which the plants never fully recover. Many would like to have holly hedges, but are often deterred by the expense incurreg in the purchase of the . plants. Where this is the case holly and quick can be mixed at the rate of one holly to three quick. In time the holly will crowd out the quick and a good, holly hedge will be formed: or plants of some of the roses suitable for hedges may be used in place of quick. Privet, although making a good hedge, should never be planted where the roots cap find their way into cultivated ground. The privet is like the elm, the roots travel near the surface, forming a. mat of fibres which eat up every b'ff of nourishment obtainable in the soil, rendering it as fine as dust in a dry season. Where tall hedges to form a screen or protection against rough winds ace needed, beech may be used. This is often used in . nurseries where choice rhododendrons and shrubs which arc liable to suffer in severe winters, or acutely feel the effects of icy winds, are a feature. Most of the berberis family are suitable for hedges, and the evergreen' cscallonias, a hedge of Abelia Floribunda, is always beautiful. The common laurestinus may be used with advantage, but where hedges arc planted merely )as a dividing line in the garden, something ornamental should be chosen. Charmingly beautiful are hedges ot Red-letter Day roses, with alternate plants of dark-leaved prunus, or prunus and japonicas. The oldj fashioned rosemary makes a neat, hedge, as does also the ever-sweet lavender.