HORTICULTURE.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 16, 2 July 1920, Page 13

HORTICULTURE.

Towards the end of winter we quite naturally begin to think of the coming spring and seed sowing, which must inevitably lead to the question, "What seeds do we require." Those who have glass houses, and especially those with some artificial heat, always look forward to some early sowin.gs and must soon begin their preparations, as the weeks pass very swiftly by. Sweet peas are one of the fi st things to be thought of, as the seeds germinate rather slowly. Those who have autumn sown plants and those who rely wholly on outside sowing have plenty of time yet, but others can sow in pots at any time from now on if they desire good spring plants. For those who do not require great numbers two or three seeds may be sown in three or four inch pots in which they may remain until a fair size, but when large numbers are required the small pcts, which can be got from the nurserymen, are more suitable ds they take less space and give very little labour. Use soil made rich with well rotted manure, but avoid fresh artificial manures as they frequently rot the seeds and dissappointment follows. With a little artificial warmth some early tomatoes may also be sown, as they are as important as fiowers, but with them it must be remembered that there is a very great difierence in early and late varieties, so don't forget to ask your seedsman for early sorts. Generally speaking early sowing/ is for early blooming, but it is also desirable for some autumn-flowering apnuals which are naturally late flowering in this district and can be hurried on with advantag.e, such as cosmeas, which sometimes are just getting to their best when frost comes. It will be found that such be accelerated by early sowing. Experienca only however, will teach us what and when to sow as some things sown too early bloom prematurely. Anemones may be sown early, and if transplanted and attended to will start to bloom in the autumn giving some blooms all through the winter if fairly treated, and blooming profusely in early spring.' Freesias which here must be grown und^' glass, give excellent results from seed. The writer's practice has been to sow the seed at the end of July or beginning of August in boxes, about four inches- deep, two feet long, and 15 inches wide, kept in an unheated glass-house, and from each of such boxes has been able to cut up to about 150 stems, commencing in May and cor tinuing up to September, as the seeds germinate irregularly. The hardy yeliow coreopsis grandiflora, which is so useful for cuttings, may also be started soon unless you have self-sown plants as we are always ready for it as soon as we can get it. Also gallardias which with their large crimson and yellow fiowers are equally prized. And a little lobelia if you can keep it from the frost, as we ^1 like it early.