THE GARDEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1004, 21 June 1930, Page 32

THE GARDEN

By

LEONARD A. GRIFFITHS, F.R H.S.

“The organism of a plant is as wonderful and mysterious as that of a •man.” —II. TV’. Sargent.

STR A WBER RIES—GROW YOUR OWN Although the straw berry can be grown in quite a diversity of soils, it does best in a deep loam well enriched with manure. This ground should be dug over quite deeply, at the same time working in a liberal layer of manure. Sandy soils will produce good berries, provided they are not too deficient in humus When planting, select strong plants—not old ones, but vigorous, thrifty runner plants of the previous season’s growth. The plant must be set so that the roots are well covered, and the surface is just flush with the crown. Be sure, however, that the crown is quite free and uncovered. There are several methods of distances to plant, but by setting the plants one foot apart in rows with two feet between each row, good results will be attained. To* obtain sturdy plants and an abundant crop of goodsized berries, all runners should be cut aw'ay as they form, none being allowed to rest. By doing this the yield will not be quite so heavy at first, but the advantage will be reaped later on. Cultivation is one of the secrets of success with strawberries. A crust must never be allowed to form on the ground after a rain, and the whole sui’face must be kept stirred, especially in dry weather. Cultivation conserves the moisture of the soil, and a crust wastes it. A growing strawbery plant needs moisture, and must have it if it is to continue to be a growing strawberry plant. If watering has to be resorted to make a hollow round each plant, so that the water will be held and go directly to the roots. When the water has seeped away, draw a little dry soil over the damp soil to form a dust mulch, and so check evaporation. When planting be sure that the ground is moist, as the plants will get a quicker root hold than when planted in dry soft. Weeds must be kept down and consequently cultivation must be made a fairly continuous process. There are many excellent varieties of strawberries to plant, and choice of kinds has more to do with the success of this berry than any other kind of fruit. A variety may do well on one soil, and be a failure in some other place. The variety Melba has proved a good doer in most soils, but if the plants are purchased from a reliable nurseryman he is in a good position to advise on this important factor, whereby the home gardener may cultivate the best varieties to suit his conditions.

PANSIES FOR SPRING FLOWERING Pansies are easily grown. They thrive under average garden conditions. What is more charming than a bed of pansies in bloom? With a little extra c-are in cultural conditions, and in selecting choice varieties, your pansy bed will give unbounded satisfaction. Lime is helpful in sweetening the soil and in making the plant food available. Manures should be added to enrich the soil, but do not apply the manure and the lime too closely together Allow at least three weeks bet'ween Old cow manure is very good, so is stable manure, well rotted and incorporated with the soil. There are suitable prepared fertilisers which are specific plant foods. Into the well-worked enriched soil plant the seedlings firmly, giving a good watering; then loosen the top soil and place a mulching of old strawy manure. The newer strains not only produce an abundance of large blooms of rich colouring, but they are very hardy, too. Pansies are quite easily grown from seed. They also root readily from cuttings of established plants. Keep the ground nicely tilled betweeu plants, removing all weeds. Pansies like plenty of manure. A good liquid manure is Floraphos, 5 oz. to every gallop of water. Sulphate of ammonia is also useful in the same proportions. The ground should be moist when adding the liquid manure. Do not apply the sulphate of ammonia to the foliage, as there is danger of burning. By giving liquid manure as the plants come Into bloom, the best results will be obtained. Some of the newer varieties include Goliath, golden yellow, dark eye; Blue Border, Gem. Remember pansies amply repay any attention bestowed on them. SHASTA DAISY Among the many bright flowers that make the garden gay throughout the year, white ones are always attractive. When one comes to think of it, how few in numbers white flowers are! Among these Shasta daisies stand out as some of the best, not only for garden decoration, but also for picking, and can be relied upon to produce cut flowers for nine months in the year. Two types are procurable, the large flowering type with flowers up to four inches across on three feet stems. The other type has small flowers about the size of a shilling. Shastas will grow in any soil and a little shade suits them very well. A rich soil Is necessary If they are to produce the largest flowers. Divide up the old plants after flowering in the spring. Small pieces should be inserted and will quickly make large plants. Watering is important and must never be neglected. Divide up the plants every other year.

BRIEF VIOLET HINTS

Who does not love violets? The flowers stand ujj so gracefully, yet so modestly, amid the glossy green foxiage; they seem to have a special charm as borders to our garden beds Withal, the fragrance is so rich —and the flowers appear in winter when they are most welcome —that opportunitj should be taken in the present planting season to enrich our gardens with these delightful plants. As violets give best results when replanted every two years, those who have these charming flowers growing will be glad of this reminder; those who are not as yet growing violets will also appreciate these hints, thus enabling the present planting opportunity to be availed of. SUNNY POSITION BEST Contrary to a widely accepted notion, violets should be planted in an open, sunny position. Too often these plants are grown in the shade, where they fail to reveal their full beauty or fragrance. For soil preparation, give the ground a good dressing of lime, forking it in about a foi'tnight later. Nice, friable well enriched sox! Is best for violets. Be careful not to apply the lime and manure together. Allow at least three weeks or a month between. Stable or cow manure is splendid when obtainable. There are other manures containing essential plant foods obtainable from plant stores. Allow about 12 inches between each plant, set firmly, loosen the "Top soil, and give good watering. When the plants send out runners these should be removed or the plants will soon be exhausted. SOME GOOD VARIETIES Varieties of violets are being constantly improved. Here are some good varieties which are now obtainable:— Admiral Avellan: Reddish purple, known as the red violet. Princess of Wales: Lovely blooms of deep violet colour; strong, sweet perfume, long stems. Odorata sulphurea: Flowers small, clear sulphur yellow.

GREEN MANURES

Yoxi must have the garden soil rich with constant applications of manures and fertilisers. Green refuse is really invaluable for soil that is inclined to be dry and sandy, as it supplies the necessary humus. Lawn cuttings, soft green, such as cabbage leaves, vegetable tops or vine leaves should be collected and put into a hole made for the purpose and mixed with stable or cow manure. Very soon it assimilates with the manure, then it will prove a very great help in the garden. -Even without the manure the soft green stuff is good, but naturally it is better as a mixture. Some weeds can be added to the pit, but not those that are hard to kill. A noxious weed which has joints that refuse to stop sprouting should be burnt.

ORCHARD INSTRUCTION

At the ui-gent request of several fruit growers, the Auckland Provincial Fruit Growers’ Council, Limited, has made preliminary arrangements with Mr. L. Paynter, senior orchard instructor at Auckland, to deliver a series of practical talks on topical orchard subjects. It is suggested that four or more talks may be given between the end of July and Christmas,

either in the afternoons or evenings, whichever may be decided by the class at its first meeting. It is proposed that the class should meet once a month. A number of interested people have already handed their names in as willing to attend. Those who may wish to join up should forward their names and addresses to Mr. George A. Green, secretary of the Auckland Provincial Fruit Growei’s’ Council, Limited, 1G Aratonga Avenue, One Tree Hill, Auckland.

SHRUBS TO PLANT NOW

There is much satisfaction in planting shrubs. With ordinary attention the shrubs grow nicely and become permanent garden adornments. Here are a few of the many excellent shrubs which can be planted at the present time: Arbutus unedo (Irish strawberry tree). Abutilon (Chinese lantern), m variety, some nice sorts include aureum, variegata, Sawitzi, Sydney Belle, vexillarium. Auracaria excelsa (Norfolk Island Pine). Berberis in variety. B. Darwinii and Wilsonae are both very good. Buddlea is that sturdy rapid growing shrub, a favourite in every garden. There are several varieties of merit. Callistemon is the familiar Australian Native Bottle-brush. Suitable for shrubberies or as a hedge. C. lanceolatus (lance leaved) has scarlet blooms. There are many other good varieties. Camellias are well known and appreciated. A wide range of varieties in many colours. Ceanothus: rapid growing, handsome foliage, blue flowers in spring. C. divaricatus should be in every garden. Cestrum: A deciduous shrub flowering in summer. Choisya ternata (Mexican Orange Flower): Evergreen shrub, 4ft, white flowers, sweetly scented. Clethra arborea (the Lily of the Valley tree). Cotoneaster: Deciduous shrub, 6ft. C. Simonsii, small white flowers followed by red berries. Crataegus (Hawthorn): .There are both deciduous and evergreen varieties. C. crenulata is evergreen, so is pyracantha augustfolia. the latter has white flowers in spring, followed by orange berries in autumn. Eugenia Smithii, also Acmena florabunda: Handsome Australian native shrub. evergreen, producing edible berries. Suitable for lawn specimen or for hedges. Other shrubs which are also commended are as follow: —Crotalaria Laburnifolia (Bird Flower) Duranta; Edwardsia microphylla; Eriostemon nerifolium: Escallonia macrantha; Guava; Genistra (broom) Andreana, floridus; Grevillea robusta (Silky Oak); G. rosmarinafolia; Habrothamnus elegans (excellent for hedge).

DON’T USE CASTOR OIL FOR FERNS

It is not advisable to apply castor oil to the roots of palms or ferns to Increase growth, or to their foliage to secure development. There is no element of plant growth in oil. If you apply it to the roots of a plant it repels moisture and disease is almost sure to set in; while if the leaves are treated their pores will be clogged by it and very soon the effect will be seen in yellow foliage. To encourage growth make use of reliable fertilisers. To give the foliage a glossy look, wash with water containing a little sweet milk.