IN THE GARDEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1922, Page 11

IN THE GARDEN.

AMONG THE VEGETABLES. (By “Agricola.”) 'So many meh of affairs who are enthusiastic amateur gardeners in the limited time at their disposal welcome the opportunity afforded by the lengthening days to devote an hour in the bracing atmosphere and early quiet of a fine spring morning, or in the dewy freshness of eventide, in assiduous attention to the ever recurring duties that the well ordered garden insistently demands. Gardening, with all its bewitching attractions, would at once be shorn of its charms were there not something to be continually cared for, and when it iis considered that many of the plants we cultivate are grown under artificial conditions as to root-room and other surroundings, the wonder is that they thrive fis they do in the majority of gardens. Were the culture of plants a thing of one idea, and that so simple that the mere announcing of it would be tantamount to its full eonprehension and development, then farewell to emulation and honourable rivalries, and good-bye to that increasing perseverance that only receives its just reward when, after surmounting an obstacle, it results in objects of interest and beauty unknown before. ASPARAGUS. Asparagus beds will now be in full profit, and should continue so until December. Care must be exercised when cutting the “sticks,” otherwise many of ’ the fresh shoots that are coming up under the surface will be destroyed. Pull up any weeds that appear in the beds and give liquid manure occasionally. CAULIFLOWER. When cauliflowers are turning in two of the inner leaves should be snapped, but not broken oil, and folded across the heads to protect them from sunburn. It is at this stage of development that liquid manure, if applied twice weekly, will greatly assist in the formation of good solid heads. Copious waterings must also be given in dry weather and keep the beds clear of weeds. Later plantings should receive every possible attention, the aim being to encourage a steady and unchecked growth at all times. The soil about them must be kept moist and frequently stirred drawing- it up about the stems with the hoe as the plants develop. A liquid stimulant, if given occasionally, will greatly conduce to their well-doing, and a mulch of short, strawy manure, or even lawn mowings, applied during a hot, drv spell will benefit them considerably. When cauliflowers are maturing too rapidly for the household weeds, lift the plants, leaving the soil attached to the roots, and suspend them, head downwards in a cool, dark, and dry cellar or shed, syringing them lightly each evening. With this treatment they will remain in good condition for several days. CELERY. Although it is scarcely possible to employ too much rotten manure when preparing the trenches, its exorbitant use 'is not necessary to procure celery of good sample. Moreover, in these days of motor-vehicles, stable manure is a scarce and expensive commodity. Therefore the majority of cultivators, especially those resident in towns, who are fortunate enough to possess a supply, will be compelled, of necessity, to use it sparingly. On these circumstances an approved fertiliser, such hs bone-dust, may be used in conjunction with the animal manure, and the combination of these two substances will conduce to satisfactory results, if the plants receive proper treatment in other ways. The trenches should be eighteen inches wide at the bottom, twelve inches deep, and four feet from, centre to centre. Break up the bottom soil of each trench, and on top of this place a six inch layer of manure, and return about four inches of the soil that was dug out. Over the surface of this sprinkle a dressing of -bone-dust, evenly, at the rate of one pound to every* four yards of trench. Mix the fertiliser with the surface soil thoroughly and lift the plants carefully from the bed or ’>ox and set them out along the centre of the trench, sik or nine inches apart, according to variety, and water them in as planted so that there may be no check. Water must be given with a liberal hand in dry weather, but earthing up should not be done until the plants are large enough for use, as growth practically ceases when earthing is done. The present is a suitable’ time to plant for an early supply. ONIONS. The process of thinning should be gradual, so as to allow a number of the plants to attain a size suitable for using as spring onions. Destroy all weeds that appear on the bed, and keep the surface soil loose by frequent shallow' Autumn sown onions should also receive this attention, and any that are showing signs of flowering should be pulled for present fuse. PICKLING ONIONS.

The small bulbs of white or straw coloured varieties that are grown for keeping are frequently used for pickling, but the larger sorts, such as Ailsa Craig or giant rocca arc unsuitable. The proper and mostly used kinds, however, are tint Queen, bartletta, or nocera, all of which possess evenness of size and the proper texture of flesh. The seed should be sown on a rather poor piece of ground, making this fine on the surface. Sow the seed thickly, but evenly in shallow drills, about twelve inches apart, coyer lightly and firm the bed by treading or beating it over with the back of the spade. Thinning will not be required, hut all weeds should be destroyed. When the seed, is sown very shallow, the bulbs will be round; if on the other hand it is sown an inch deep, the produce will be oval shaped.

THE FLOWER GARDEN. DAHLIAS. Tubers that were stored during the w inter and have since been planted in ! temporary positions to sprout should I be dug up when the shoots appear, and | pieces of tuber containing one or two strong growths may be severed from the clump for planting in their flowering quarters-. Dahlias do best in a deep rooting medium, and whether placed at the back of herbaceous borders -or in chimps by themselves, the soil should be thoroughly enriched with lotted manure, that ■from the, c®W for

preference, or decayed vegetable refuse and a liberal -dressing of bone-dust. They may be planted in the shrubbery, where space exists and such plants will furnish a supply of cut blooms-, besides being very effective in combination with the shrubs. The plants will require staking in good time, otherwise the growths would soon break off when under the influence of a heavy gale. During hot weather, dahlias obtain much benefit from a mulch, which improves the flowering and saves labour in watering. In one of the larger gardens adjacent to New Plymouth a harvest of superb blooms are secured each year by planting dahlias at the base of a bush-clad slope in an accumulation of alluvial soil that has been washed down by the rains from the slope above. Salvia patens makes a good companion for the dahlia. These plants require rich soil, and if grown in poor ground are likely to drop their flowers prematurely.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS. Chrysanthemums are the brightest and most varied of all late autumn and early winten flowers. During their period of beauty which extends over four months of the ysar, they seem to overshadow all others, and public interest in them is attested by the large number of visitors attending the exhibitions held all over the Dominion. At these shows the different varieties can be seen, and selections made with the object of procuring plants for liotne cultivation. Perhaps the most valuable quality they possess is their 'wonderful durability of blooming and. although they cannot boast of great fragrance. they diffuse a subtle, aromatic odour all their oWp. Young plants may now be obtained at the nurs? 1 for growing on during slimmer. Cuttings that were planted in early spring should now he well rooted and forward enough for planting out in soil that has been well dug and manured, either with rotted dung or decayed vegetable rubbish and leaf-soil, applying also a dressing of bone-dust around the base of each planting. Pinch out the top when each plant is about twelve inches high. GENERAL. A considerable amount of work will be required to keep beds and borders smart and tidy. Many plants will irenuire staking and tying very frequently, and the hoe must be freely used to keep down weeds and loosen the soil. The faded blooms of pansies and violets should be picked off as soon as this condition is Reached. The plant.® will then display their beautv for a much longer period than would be the case if the plants were allowed to seed. Sweet peas, larkspur, linaria, nigella, miffnonette. verbena and others, when flowering, should also receive this timelr attention. Antirrhinum will give an additional display if the seed vessels are removed a« soon as the plants have gone out of bloom. Anemone seed may be sown now td produce plants for next year. Keep a sham look-out for the rosemaggot, and wherever a. curled up leaf can be seen, pinch it between the finger and thumb, it being impossible to reach the maggot by means of an insecticide. Spread a light mulch over carnation beds, and give the shoots support as growth proceeds. Watch for green-fl v and syringe the plants if necessary ' with warm soapy water, or an approved insecticide, also eiye the plants a good soaking -occasionally with soot water. Lilium stems should be supported with stakes, as otherwise they are like--llv to bend over, especiallv when wet. Spread a mulch of decayed manure around the plants. Mowings from the lawn may be profitably disposed of by lightly forking or hoeing the material under, or spreading it over the surface of flower beds and borders, particularly those that are occupied by roses, carnations, pansies and violas.