GARDEN NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 33, 29 October 1920, Page 13

GARDEN NOTES.

THE ROSE G ARDEN. » All roses will now bo njaking rapid growth, especially those where water can be supplied pLentifully. Tliere is one point in particular that ehould be attended to before the growth. gets too large — that Is, the rubbing out of all superiluous growth, such as those that break into severaf sh/ots from or close to . an eye. Select the best one, pointing outward, and rub the rest away. Rub out also those shoots that potn't inward. These are Irkely to cause confusion and an ugl'yshaped bush. S.elect "a nice, even lot of shoots, and those pointing outward ; then each and all get their full share of light and air, and fine blooms will be the result, providiilg other points are favourable. If the mulching or feeding has been attended to, as was previously advised, very little more will be needed, except watering, ontil the disbudding time arrivcs, and that will be very shortly. The disbudding is the removal of all surplus buds. Many roses come in clusters on the end of each shoot. To allow all these to remaiu on would rnean only a bunch of inierlor blooms. If a first-class flower be desired, then all but the centre or crown bud must be removed by pinching out; m any aase, they should be reduced to two or three buds, and these will produce very nice, fair-sired blooms, and of good quality. But for show purposes leave one inly on each shoot. There are manv kinds that do not requTre disbudding, as they show only one buS on each shoot or branch. This operation should oe p,erforrned as soon as the buds can be pinched off with the finger and thumb. Very probably green Tiy will soon be making its appearance. When it does, spray the bush.es with hot soft soap and water, with a little tobaeco water added ; or any of the aphig washes sold at tbe seedsman's. This spraymg helps to checfe . tlsat troui se. some creature the leaf grub, which caii only be removed by hand-picking ' once they are rolled up in the leaf. It is very annoying to find a fine bud that you are lookiug fcrward to as your ideal of a flower cut off in its youth. THE1 VINERY.® The rapid growth of the vines will*. lieceseitate prompt and constant attention by way of disbudding, as it is terni- j ed. This means rubbing out the yqpng, superfluous growth. Select one good stout shoot on each spur — one that is sbowmg a. Bunch of fruit — and rub out i the remaining shqots. Sonie varietieS are rather difficult' in gettmg off ; therefore, in some cases where the sh'oots are inclined to shoot straight up, leave an extra shoot on these spurs until the one selected is tied down to the wire, as they are very liable to pull themselves out at the ba.se, which often happens at lying down ; tflen you will have one to fali back upon. If this should occur, do not be in too great a hurry to tie them down, as there is less risk of breakage if the young growths are left to get i'airly firm before tying down, and even then this should be done by degrees. But remove all surplus* growth as soon as possible. THE FRUIT G ARDEN. Fruit trees on wad ■ should bie carefully gone over, aiici carefully tied or nailed in all vacant spaees, and superfiuous growth removed. Bid in doing so do not wait uptil the trees 1 ave made a lot of growth and cut it. - off by the mraful, as this is a dangerous practice, especially with the pei^jh and apricot, Do it whilst the shoots are young and tender. Then, again, if these strong young shoots- are left, and not checked, they soon monopolise the whole sap at the expense of the weaker growth. It is a very bad practice to leave the fruit in bunches, as one fine large fruit ln much better and worth more than three small ones that would be picked from unthinned fruit. A watehful eye must be kept upon the peaeli for 'leaf curl or blister. Immediately it makes its appearance, pinch off the leaves, burn them, and then spray the trees with Bordeaiu mixture. This is a good wash lor sumiBfr spraving of most fruit trees. WINDOW GARDENING. Sponge ' the foliage plants with tepid water and milk about once a fortnight-. By this means dust and insects are removed, and the plants are kept in better health and have a ftner appearance than if the sponging is neglected. BULBS, ETC. As bulb plants ,go out of flower, which most of them will have done by this, remove them, and leave them out in the garden to ripen, Eeplace with petuhias,

pelargoniums, begonias, lobelias, and simi. lar subjects. .. THE FUCHSIA. I am happy to say that in the*01d /Land this favourite is coming into favour again, not only as a greenhouse plant, but as a bedding and border plant. In a good sunny border outside, in good, rich soil, and made firm, they make fine objects, especially as a centrepiece in a flower bed. Nor have they received the attention they deserve, especially in regard to hybridising and the raising of new varieties, for some time back. Wo have been indebted to Continental growers for a few good uew ones tnat have come out of late. As a green house plant it is h-ard to beat for a long time in the summer months. To get fine specimens care'must'be taken not to let them flower right away, but to attend to pinching out all the points when each shoot has made four or five leaves- or joints. If this is attended to, with a litt-ie feeding after they are ip their flowering pot, grand plants and a fine display of flowers will be the result. Pot on as requir.ed. For very large specimens, such as I have seen, 6ft KTglr and 3ft or 4ft through, they rerjoire a 12in pot, but very fine plants may be grcnvn in lOin pots. They like a rich material ; two parts old turf chopped up, one part good well-rotted manure, one part sand, with some Jeaf mould and a little wood ashes, will grow them to perfectxon.