GARDEN NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 36, 19 November 1920, Page 13

GARDEN NOTES.

THE LAWN. Lawns should have a good rolling after rain. It is wise to run the lawn mower over the lawn regularly, as by so doing the danger of daisy-seeding is removed. Neglect in this will not only increase the daisies, but spoil one's labour to keep a nice and presentable lawn. During the time bedding ont is in progress it oftm happens that minor matters get in arrears, but as soon as this is done no time should be lost in getting things up-to-date. THE VEGETABLE G ARDEN. The main crop of celery may be got out now as fast as convenient. There are several ways of growing fine heads of celery. There is the single-row system, and useful celery may be grown in double or treble rows in trenches. As for the single row, this should be dug out one foot deep, and one foot wide for the row, and so on for two or three rows, but the bottom spit turned up and a liberal supply of manure added at the same time. Leeks are planted in a similar manner. Asparagus must be kept cut regularly, as growth demands, and none left to grow up whilst cutting is in progress, but all should be cut as it appears until you are prepared to stop cutting, and this should take place not later than the first week of January, for if some are left to grow up and make large tops the cutting will be spoiled for the season. Care should he taken to see that no young seedlings from the previous year's ripe seed tops are allowed to grow up amongst the permanent plants, or in a short time the beds will get demoralised and spoiled. SeaJrale is at this time of the year very liaible to send up large seekl spikes. These should all be removed by cutting, and this should be just below the crown; then, instead of one bad crown, three or four good ones will form at the top of each st-em for the next season's use. Glqbe Artichokes. — As soon as the heads are past being fit for use — and that is when they show flower like a huge Scotch thistle — is the time to remove them, before they are a drag upon the plant. THE FLOWER GARDEN. Pot now chrysanthemums, zonal pelargoniums, and other plants for winter blooming. Chrysanthemums, after potting, should be fixed in their summer quarters, and the tops of the stakes made secure against winds, but the final potting should not take place before the five or six-inch pots are well filled with roots. Care must be taken that this is not overdone, or the plants will suffer by being pot or rootbound. THE ROSE GARDEN. The requirements in the rose garden just now are various. Look over the bushes to see that no curled leaves are about. Whenever you see a leaf curled up, do not hesitate to give it a good squeeze, for you are almost sure to find something go squash, indicating that you have put an end to a fat caterpillar. If these are left long in their seclu!.»ibn they will have the centre out of one of your. pet rosebuds. Another point requiring attention is as to suckers. If they come up at all, they will assuredly come up at this season. The early spring is always the worst time for suckers. If they are on the stem, rub them off ; if they come up from the roots, pull them up. Do not cut them off under the surface, or they will come up as had or worse than before. By giving them a good sharp jerk they are pulled out right at the base, and are not likely to trouble you again. In the case of roses on their own roots "this will not be required, as the young shoots or suokers that appear will make fine flowering wood for another seaeon and many will flower the same season. The thinning-out of superfluous growth should also be attended to. Remove cross shoots. Select only those that point outwards, and if you require really first-class blooma you must harden your heart and rub out a lot of the surplus shoots, retaining only a few of the most promising growths. From six to eight good, strong shoots are quite sufficient for really good blooms, Some will say : "What a waste of good material." This may he so if quantity is the object, but not so for good blooms, and, aiter all, nine out of every ten, I feel sure, would have more pride in one beautiful flower than in a basketful of inferior quality.