Garden Notes. 769 



GARDEN NOTES. 



By J. Cronin. 

 Flower Garden. 



Owing to the abnormally dry and warm weather conditions that 

 prevailed during March and April, causing in many garden subjects 

 an extended season of growth and consequent unusual softness of 

 wood, a portion of the work usually performed during June could not 

 be proceeded with. 



This applied especially to pruning and planting, and no time 

 should now be lost in overtaking such arrears. 



During the autumn, many strong growing varieties of roses, 

 especially teas and hybrid teas, have pushed out strong shoots from the 

 old wood, in many cases from wood several years of age. These shoots 

 are often sacrificed under the impression that they will neither ripen 

 sufficiently to produce good blooms, nor eventually form well shaped 

 and properly balanced heads. This idea is incorrect, as it is from 

 such shoots properly managed that the best results are obtained. 

 These shoots are simply fresh channels through which the sap flows 

 freely, the cause of their appearance usually being the hardening of 

 the bark in the smaller shoots, and the checks produced by previous 

 prunings and breaks preventing an easy passage for the sap and 

 extension of the head of the plant. 



All weak and old wood should be entirely cut away, and the 

 strong growths that are in a good position allowed to remain and 

 slightly stopped. This topping will produce bud development well 

 down the shoots, to which buds the shoots may be cut later before 

 growth properly commences. 



Weakly growing plants generally require to be pruned much 

 more closely than those of stronger growth and to be well thinned 

 also, care being taken to preserve a well balanced head. 



The planting of deciduous trees, plants and shrubs should be 

 hastened, so that they may be set and established before growth 

 commences in spring, and where the roots have been damaged in the 

 lifting the plant must be cut back well to insure vigorous growth. 



Manuring and digging beds and borders should be hurried on, 

 and beds prepared where special subjects are to be grown. Roses, 

 chrysanthemums, dahlias, carnations, etc., to produce the best results 

 apart from general border decoration, should each be grown separately 

 in beds, as at certain times special attention is needed as watering, or 

 withholding water to produce ripened growths, feeding, etc., as well 

 as specially prepared soil and manures. 



