THE FLOWER GARDEN.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 179, 30 August 1929, Page 3

THE FLOWER GARDEN.

The weather improved for a few days, but further rain has rendered tnaiiv soils unworkable. From now on, however. tlie temperature of the soil will increase, and with bctter overhead eonditions, work can be pushed on. Coiiiplete the pruning of roses and after giving an application of nianure dig over the beds. Shrubs are not usually considered worth pruning, but tliey shoukl be gone over. It keeps them in sliape and to their allotted space. Lea\-e all early flowering subjects, sucli as flower 011 the wood made during last Summer; these should be pruned after flowering. Hvdrangeas .should be pruned, and manured well if they are to carry good liends of bloom! The planting of ornamental trees, shrubs and roses shoukl not be delayed longer than possible. Tt is not too late for rose planting, but the sooner they are in the better. Our gnrdens would he muc-h improved if larger plantings of shrubs and rosos were made. Tlie planting season for glndioli is here, and every garden should have a fcw dozen. There are many theories as to tlie right sort of nianure to use. but the average soil with a little honedust and slag will nroduce good spikes of bloom. A further planting should he made next moiitli, and even one planting eacb fortnight for the next three months ean he made if bulbs and gr°" nd is availahle. "Where thc stocks of hui 17s are sniall it is best to make onlv one or two plantings, and those fairly early. The Japanese and tlie flag or rhi/.omatrous seclion of iris can be planted now. Seedlings of all kinds can he bedded out; the ground is too wet in many cases, and it will he necessary to wait for a few days. Avoid trending on the ground when it is wet. Tf it is necessary to plant on soft. newlv dug ground use some bonrds to tread on. Seed of many kinds of animals can be sowii now. Wliere there is only a small quantity of seed to sow use pots or nans. Border carnations should be gone over and all bed folia.ge removed ; ifterwards apply a dressing of lime or basic slag. Anemones are now flowering and the blooms should he picked off as soon as over: allow uone to set seed. There is nlerty* of time yct for seeding purnoses. The surface of the anemone and •"•nunculus beds should he stirred. The beds of stocks. cineraria and «+bor things should nlso receive atten•■ion . Chrysanthemum cuttings should be taken wlien availahle. Tlie plants have suffered from the wet, but with warm-

er eonditions should' soon make headway. Autuinn-sown sweet peas should have the hoe around them. Tlie growtlis must be kept trained to tlie supports.