S Feb., 1907.] Garden Notes. 



103 



Gladioli flowering and other types : — Florence Vaughan. ^radame Crozv. 

 Papa, Paul Lorenz, Edouard Andre, Alice Guilfovie, Queen (Konigin) 

 Charlotte, Emilie Lorenz. Souvenir de Antoine Crozv. Sou\enir de President 

 Carnot, L. E. Bally, Doyen Jean Lihaud. 



Flo^ver Garden. 



Dahlias, chrysanthemums, and other plants that bloom during autumn 

 will require special attention during February, if the best results art,' 

 desired. Dahlias planted about end of December will begin to bloom 

 about end of March if unchecked in their growth. The growths will 

 need to be thinned if exhibition blooms are desired, about eight shoots 

 being enough to leave. These should be securely tied to stakes as growth 

 advances. When the buds appear, they also need thinning, and may be 

 *' timed " to produce the blooms at intervals by selection of buds of varv- 

 ing size. The largest bloom is generally developed from the central bud 

 of the shoot, but there is nothing like the need of sa\ing " crown " buds 

 on the dahlia as there is on chrysanthemums. In the latter case, if the 

 crow^n bud is lost, all hope of the shoot producing a first-class flower is 

 gone; but the dahlia will produce good flowers from almost any bud 

 when well-grown. Where the plants are not growing satisfactorih , 

 although watered, a solution of nitrate of soda, or sulphate of ammonia, 

 used at rate, of i oz. to 6 gallons of water, will probablv be of benefit. 

 The plants must be forced to grow freelv this month to produce good 

 flowers in season. 



Chrysanthemums grown for large blooms produce their late crown buds 

 this month. The.se must be "saved" as soon as the shoots surrounding 

 the buds can be safelv removed. The flower bud is placed in. the centre 

 of the point of the shoot, and is'easilv distinguished from the growth buds. 

 A brighter-coloured and more refined bloom is developed on the second 

 crown bud than on those produced earlier. The larvae of a number of 

 small moths attack the buds in most places. A rolled leaf is an indication 

 of their presence, and they should be carefullv sought for and destroyed. 

 A light dressing of> some complete manure may be applied and lightly 

 worked betw-een the plants about the end of the month. Peru\-ian guano 

 is one of the best manures for the purpose. 



'Roses mav be pruned lightly and started into free growth by application 

 of water. The plants, when, so treated during Februar\\, produce good 

 blooms early in autumn, and if supplied with some liquid manure, or 

 quick-acting artificial manure, will often give more satisfaction than in 

 spring. This is particularlv the case with plants of the tea and hybrid tea 

 sections. In summer pruning of roses, the plants should not be beheaded 

 as in wdnter, a thinning of the weakly and very soft shoots and light 

 topping of the remainder being all that is necessary. As much foliage 

 as possible should be saved ; and where mildew and aphis are usually 

 found to attack the plants, a spraving with liver of sulphur or " nikoteen "' 

 should be applied on the first appearance of either. Dusting with 

 flowers of sulphur is a substitute for spraying with liver of sulphur 

 (sulphide of potassium) against mildew. 



Carnation lavers should be kept moist. Strong young plants will 

 thus be a.vailable for planting earlv in autumn, and will become well 

 established before the ground becomes cold in winter. Fine flowers may 

 "be expected from such plants in spring. 



