June 2, 190S.^ Agrlcultu7'al Gazette of N.S.W. 511> 



Flowers. 



The gardens will now ie(|uire much attention in the way of digging and 

 manuring, and as many bulbs are either dormant or just starting to shoot, 

 and these may be injured during the operation, a good deal of care will be 

 necessary. 



Dahlias, chrysanthemums, &c., will now be dying dow)i and may be cut 

 back considerably until dug up or transplanted later on. Cosmos and zinnia 

 are also past flowering and should be removed to make room for spring 

 flowering plants. Among the best seeds to sow now for an early spring 

 show are the following : — Acrolinium, antirrhinum, aquilegia, calendula, 

 calliopsis, carnation (Marguerite), coreopsis, gaillardia, pansy, polyanthus, 

 forget-me-not, cornflow^er, daisy, dianthus, poppy, stocks, wallflower, leptosyne, 

 and pentstemons. 



A good collection of pentstemons should certainly be planted in every 

 garden, for taking all things into consideration, soil, weather conditions, &(•.,. 

 they produce plenty of blooms for the best part of the year, and oftentimes 

 make a good show when very few other plants are in flower. 



Seedlings of these may be obtained from the city seedsmen. 



Another plant worth growing is the verbena : it makes a splendid show 

 of flowers, and withstands any amount of dry weather. Bouvardias are an 

 acquisition to the garden ; the bloom of this plant should be more appreciated 

 than it is at present, but the fact that this plant will not withstand dry 

 weather may account for its absence in most gardens, especially where 

 there is a limited water supply. 



Roses being, perhaps, the favourite flower in the garden, no doubt many 

 varieties will be planted out, and the present time is a good one for so doing.. 

 In addition to the large number now catalogued by the leading nursery 

 men which are not classed as novelties, and are obtainable in great variety 

 at reasonable rates, there are constantly being added new varieties or 

 novelties which command higher prices. From the lists contained in the 

 catalogues a good selection can be made ; orders should be placed as soon as 

 possible (if this has not already been done) as only a limited stock of some 

 varieties is grown, and by delaying this matter disappointment may result. 

 No time should be lost in getting them planted after they arrive, as no matter 

 how well they are packed, they are better in their permanant position, but 

 before planting, trim the roots w-ith a sharp knife, and cut the branches back 

 to 2 or 3 inches, leaving, say, two or three spurs. 



