Gardening Notes.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2574, 16 April 1887, Page 2

Gardening Notes.

In tlio abeeuoo. of any horticultural journal circulating in this district,, wo intend devoting one of our columns oyery Saturday to the above heading. In doing so we are ondoavoringto supply an acknowledged and long felt want. We beliove a timely hint as to sowing, management, pruning, and propagation of plants will materially enhance the quantity and quality of exhibits at every show held in the Wairarapa, and, as a corollary, be more profitable to the cultivator. It will be our earnest endeavor to supply every information in our power, not only in furnishing-a short paragraph under each heading weekly, hut by answering any questions which are likely to be of general utility or interest, Therefore it is much to be wished that everyone interested will make use of this column in fully ventilating and discussing any topic coming under the heading of Gardening Notes, There is a large number of most desirable plants totally or-partially unknown to garden culture in this district, Ohamcerops fortunei, a magnificent palm, and perfectly hardy, is unknown to our gardens, It is a rarity to see specimens of such shrubs as the Buddleas, Coanotlms, Diosmas, Hibiscus, and varieties of the Magnolia. Where can be found more majestic plants for the decoration of a piece of turf or lawn than the white and red Pampas grass (Gynerium Argentium and'Eosoum), and yet they are conspicuous only by thoir absence. In climbers, the Cle-' matis certainly deserve 'more popularity among amateur florists than they at prosout enjoy. The more recent forms of .herbaceous plants undoser* vedjy. here are tho gampip.' ■ulus ' arid' Delphiniiuns, and tnqso most gorgeous flowering bulbs t-bo Japanese lilies, It would well repay tlio amateur to raise from soed. tho former,_ while bulbs of'tho latter can seryiuan,

• FLOWER OABDKK. During this mouth, the rose shouldbe propagated by cuttings, taken about, six or eight inches long, aud inserted in a shady border, leaving about two eyes above ground, If it is wished to form now-roso borders or beds, ; this is the month in which the work should be done." Strike - ouitinga also of Honeysuckle, Buddleas, Box, Aucubas, etc., in some shaded situation. Plant bulbs of every description, moro particularly the Crocus, Hyacinth, etc As all herbaceous plants die down, a neat stiiltQ should be put to. mark; their . Whereabouts, as a great many valuable plants are yearly destroyed, by.'-being forked out. Tend' to' plants mow in bloom, which includes Rudbeokias, Japanese Anemones, Perennial Asters, Polygonums, Herbaceous, Phloxes and Pentstemons, to maintaiii' a supply of bloom as long , ;ai possible.; The' Chrysanthemum, which should be the main souroe of winter bloom, is almost

extinct in this locality,-but I trust its culture-will be resuseitat&d,. and it- is my intention fowritemore fully on this plant at some future dateV Our Horticultm'al' gooioty wouldlifwell. to discuss the pros and cons, as'to the advisability of holding aCkrysanthemum Show next. encouraging its culture.

; 'THE OBESNHOOSBri i/;";'" is nqwlosing its feeAuiy,: ft \ few Chrysanthemums, be introduced to keep;up of bloom.- Look well to seeffirigs--.cf Calceolaria,": . Cineraria;' • -Mriuia, Mimulus, Pauley, etc.,' potting them on as required.V'Puchgiag done bloom-: ing must be trimmed well into shape, for speoimeiis next soason. Pelargoniums should be carefully pegged out, and pinolied to induco a dense shrubby habit. The uninitiateck can scarcely conceive the pleasure .

. TEE stove;- - Now offers. Luxuriating in a night temperature of about 60 degree Fahrti we find Orchids, amongst which wo numerous Odonto glossums, Cme* pediums, and the old favourite Deimrobium, Mobile etc., ingoorgeotis array;and to be followed by the;, winter floworing Gosnerias, including Gosmer. Librina, Cinhabariua, and varieties. Poiusettea. Fulclierrimc; should now bo moved to tho wannest' end of the stove, and if in good condition a bract measuring twenty inches "in 'teeter should bo obtained. Where Alkmandas, Bbugainvilloas, the cliiiiiug Olerodendrons, and plants of .this description aro grown, they should now havo water gradually with-held from them, so as to assist in maturing the wood, and bringing about the state of rest, This is necessary, or these plants will not cease, growing even in winter. Caladiumsaud other Ariodaceous plants as well as Gloxinias, Achimenes and summer blooming Gesnerias should be approaching the stato of rest, if they have not already done so, They should bo well exposed to tho light, and water gradually with-lield until fully ripe; after which the pots must be laid on tho side, and stored away,, in a perfectly dry warm place until the returning spring.

VEGETABLE GARDEN. Carrots and Beetroot should ba lifted now, and stored in some cool place.. The Beetroot should not be cut or bruised, the leaves can be ,twisted off. Cabbagos and. lettuce' May be planted. Earth up celery and keep it' woll watorod- If slugs are..: trouble,' some use lime and soot. Wood ashto spread along tho rows and worked in among them will be found useful-

rauraoAßDE% Remove Backers from and be arduous in. keeping. downliliti American blight. Ths mo'et effectual and mexpensive method is by ensiling all the affected parts with m'iiidrw' a strong lotion of salt and water, and apply the, same to the., roots . whioh should be" partly bared for,the purpose, as there the main seat of the'pest will be found.' Attend to the storfi>r6om, ventilating it, and picking Out iOl frait wliioh begins to rot. - rihe fruit .should have been spread in thin lasers on clean straw on shelves,-rejecting all that may be ' Grapes in small quantities may be kept', for several months by cutting ofrtbe branoli on. which they grow, and-, inserting .>th'e' end iii a potato, hanging .the whole .dp in a dry position. Prepare ground by digging and strawberries, young fruit trees, and vines. • Y..-.3

_ Nest week I shall, write: it length on vines, and thoir culture in the house, in the unheated glasshouse, and in the open, - ■ :Hopius,