9 Sept., 1907.] Garden Notes. 543 



The Japanese anemones will thrive and produce their blooms freely 

 under ordinary border conditions. The plants are increased b\ divisions 

 of the crowns, which may be done in autumn or earlv spring. Varieties 

 available in Melbourne are : — A. Japonica, rose ; a double form of the same 

 kind; a. Japonica, alba, white; and Honorine Joubert, and Whirlwind, 

 white, larger and finer than the type. 



Flcwer Garden. 



The breaking of the rough surface left after digging is the most 

 important ground operation at present. Where the soil is heavy and 

 retentive it will be found that a coarse lumpy surface is best attacked 

 while comparatively moist, and after being pulverised a fairly smooth sur- 

 face can be readily maintained in a loose condition and the moisture in 

 the soil conseryed. 



A perennial gardening task is the destruction or prevention of insects 

 and fungi, the work being greatly minimized by attacking the parasites 

 earlv in the season. Flowers of suljphur dusted on plants of roses known 

 to be liable to mildew ; or sulphide of potassium used as a spray wash, at 

 the rate of i oz. to 3 gallons water, against rose mildew and rust on 

 carnations are well known preventives of such fungi. Tobacco or soap 

 washes are effective against aphides, the most general of the insect enemies 

 of garden plants in spring. A most thorough application is necessary, 

 the aim being absolute extinction if possible. 



Beds for the reception of chrysanthemums grown for exhibition should 

 be ready by the end of this month. If properly prepared during winter 

 a digging will be sufficient, the main object being aerating the soil and 

 thoroughly mixing the manure through it. Where a choice of plants is 

 possible, moderately strong and sturdy plants should be selected, avoiding 

 extra large and sappy, or weak and spindly specimens. Of the new varieties 

 grown last season a few of the most promising are: — Richard Seddon, 

 terra-cotta red ; Miss Alexander, rosy cerise, reverse silver ; Mrs. Jas. 

 Whitton, white; Mrs. Bischoffsheim, deep yellow, overlaid with pink and 

 red; Mrs. C. Beckett, white; Valerie Greenham, pink; W. A. Etherington, 

 silvery mauve ; Lady Conyers, rose pink, silvery reverse. Plants of 

 chrysanthemums intended to^ produce large numbers of flowers may be 

 planted at once. Three suckers planted about i foot apart in a triangle, 

 will produce fine large plants before their season of blooming. Carnations 

 should be staked, the growths tied regularly, and an excessive amount of 

 shoots reduced to a few if fine flowers are desired. The buds on the 

 selected shoots should also be thinned, the large terminal bud being selected 

 to remain in most varieties. In many varieties that produce large flowers 

 that invariably lose form by bursting the calices, a secondary bud should be 

 saved, the flower resulting being smaller but of much superior form. 



Seeds of tender plants may be sown in boxes, or in beds if provision is 

 made for sheltering the yonng plants from frost, if necessary. Seeds of 

 dahlia, and a number of annuals that would be killed by frost if raised 

 earlier may be sown at the end of the month. A finely pulverised and firm 

 surface should be prepared for simall seeds, and some light soil, well 

 mixed and sifted should be at hand for covering the seeds. Plants of hardy 

 annuals and perennials raised from seed earlier in the year may be planted 

 out when large enough. Another batch of gladioli may be planted, the 

 Lemoinei varieties, if selected, producing their flowers in December and 

 January. Divisions of dahlia tubers may be planted for early blooming, 

 a piece of the stem with the tuber attached lieing sufficient to produce a 



