ANSWERS TO PUZZLED GARDENERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 424, 4 August 1928, Page 28

ANSWERS TO PUZZLED GARDENERS

Roses, Mount Eden.—lnquiries: (1) Should roses be planted well below the graft? (2) Should roses be pruned heavily? (3) Is the orangecoloured flowering gum the same as the scarlet? Answer: (1) Roses on no account should be planted too deeply; certainly never near the graft. If this is done it will cause bastard shoots to spring from the graft or bud which will not be true to type. If the plants are well mulched when planted this will keep them moist during the summer and so help the rooting system. (2) Prune lightly newly-planted roses when setting. In many cases the | nurseryman supplying them cuts back necessary growth. Strong and ingrowing shoots may be removed and a heavy pruning given next season. (3) Both gums are supposed to be the same (E. Ficifolia). They are usually raised from seed and the bees sometimes cause the change in colour of the seed produced. All varieties similar to this shads might well be termed hybrids. i Gourd, Birkenhead.—lnquires can he grow gourds in the same ground as last season? Answer: If you have manured the soil last season as stated, it should still be fairly rich and a sowing in the same ground will succeed very well. Dig the ground deeply before sowing and through the growing season give fortnightly doses of liquid cow manure. If the season becomes as dry as last, 'well mulch the soil round the roots with any available rotted vegetation. I thank you for the kind remarks about our column. GARDENING MADE EASY Keep the surface soil free and loose about your plants. A -weekly hoeing will not only keep the soil clear of weeds, and sweet, but will conserve any moisture that may be stored therein. Always cultivate before applying mulch or manure. After applying the latter, fork lightly in, and give a gentle penetrating saturation. Good cultivation is without a doubt one of the few secrets of successful rose culture. Housewives knowing the value of fresh parsley and of having it always at hand should try the following:—Cut the side out of a petrol tin, puch holes in the bottom, put in a layer of stones or broken pottery for drainage, then fill with good, rich soil—say a third each of earth, sand and manure. Plant, seed fairly thickly. It takes a long time to germinate, but the plants will grow rapidly if kept well watered and will stand constant picking. If one can does not supply requirements, two may be planted and used “turn about.” Never fail to mark your rows. Besides looking nice, your garden is much easier handled and cultivated. Two stout stakes and a length of strong cord work wonders in the vegetable garden. After seeing the rows are straight, and you have marked the correct distances apart, proceed with your seed sowing. Sow evenly and thinly. Fine seeds should be mixed with sand to ensure even distribution. The tidy gardener always finishes off his sowing with a final levelling up with the rake. Uneven surfaces are unsightly and tend to condemn you in the eyes of your admiring neighbour. Be tidy.