FOR THE WOMAN GARDENER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1940, Page 9

FOR THE WOMAN GARDENER

SOME USEFUL HINTS. The yellowing foliage of spring bulbs is a disfigurement in a bed or border of new seedlings, but if the bulbs are lifted carefully with a fork so that the bulbs are not cut and the foliage is undamaged, they can be transferred to a shady corner of the garden and left there till the foliage is completely withered. They may then be cleaned and stored until next planting time. Stocky side shoots (or “lateral growths,” as they are called) of antirrhinums (snap-dragons) will strike readily if' planted in light, sandy soil and kept moist. Other plants which will root easily from shoots are begonias; bouvardias, dahlias, fuchsias, carnations, coleus, geraniums, pelargoniums, and verbenas. Now that the spring blooming of the roses is finished and the dead blooms and seed-pods removed, give the roots a generous application of liquid manure. This will allow the bushes to produce good blooms throughout the summer months. Mustard and cress are health-giving salad vegetables that can be grown easily in boxes or pots. As cress is

slower growing than mustard, sow the cress a week earlier. Rich, light soil, frequent waterings (waste water from the kitchen can be used), and shade during hot weather are necessary to ensure quick, crisp growth. If the seeds are sown thickly every fortnight a continuous supply of salad flavouring arid garnishing is assured the whole year round. The “budding” of roses on to briar stocks is interesting work for the enthusiastic rose-grower, and is a good means of increasing the stock of rose trees. The buds are best grafted on to well-rooted briars (if these are unprocurable, healthy rose bushes can be substituted). With a. sharp knife cut the bark straight across the stem of the briar and make another cut downward from the middle, sufficiently long to take the bud comfortably. The cut is like the letter T. Cut the briar top off above the budded stem when the operation is completed. When growth begins and the bud begins to swell, the binding can be removed gradually. (Both briar stock and the bush from which the bud is taken should be well watered the day before the budding takes place.) When azaleas have finished flowering, give them a mulch of old dairy manure, lawn clippings, peatmoss, or similiar moisture-holding material to

keep the roots cool and moist. Avoid artificial fertilisers and lime. When arranging nasturtiums or pansies, try using a large soup plate and a small tumbler. Place the tumbler in the centre of the plate, fill both with water, and arrange the flowers. Few shrubs respond better to good treatment than, the fuchsia, that oldfashioned favourite found, at one time, in every garden. They can be induced to grow standard fashion on single stems by pinching in unshapely branches and the leading growth, leaving a compact, bushy head on a straight stem, or, if a short, stocky shrub is desired, the young plants can be cut back hard, which will induce them to shoot near the ground. They can be trimmed after each flowering period. Pot-grown specimens can be had any time, or the plants can be propagated by cuttings. They need little attention during growth. For best results make the soil rich with well-decayed organic manure before planting, shelter them from wind, give them plenty of water during growth, a mulch in summer, and an occasional application of weak liquid manure. They make excellent pot plants for bush-house or verandah. There are three varieties, single, double, and hybrids. These shrubs do well in shady places. One good habit to cultivate is that of dusting the soil over with lime every time it is dug over. Not only is the soil made sweeter and more porous, but the lime helps to free plant food from manures, increases fertility, deepens the colours of the flowers, and eliminates insect pests.