8 Jan., 1908.] Garden Xotes. 2q 



A nuinbfi- of pests ravage plants of various classes during summer ; 

 among the worst is red spider, which is most destructive m its effect on 

 dahlias, roses, and other genera. The attacks of red spider can be pre- 

 vented in a measure by the removal and destruction of bady infested 

 subjects, such as pansies that have produced their best flowers, and by 

 exercising discretion in planting or sowing seeds of plants of minor value 

 that are liable to be attacked, in iproximity to the more important plants. 

 Red spider is one of the most difficult garden pests to exterminate when 

 established, especially in dry districts where the soil is of a sandy nature 

 and is almost certain to infest French beans, peas, and many other plants 

 that have reached maturity. The leaves of gladioli are also hosts for this 

 pest, especially when ripening, and should be sprayed with a strong soap 

 solution or cut away and burned. Plants allowed to become dry at the 

 roots are verv liable tO' attack. Caterpillars of various moths also attack 

 the foliage and flowers of several important garden plants, in many cases 

 damaging the foliage extensivelv before it is unfolded. When the 

 leaves at the growing point are " rolled " by the caterpillars the onlv means 

 to destroy them is to pinch the shoots. Spraying the plants with Paris 

 Green mixed with lime water at rate of i oz. to 10 gallons wall destroy anv 

 caterpillars feeding on the surfaces of the sprayed plants. Unslaked 

 lime only should be used in preparing the lime water, from | lb. to i lb. 

 being sufficient for 10 gallons. The mixture should be constantly 

 agitated, while being applied in the form of a light mist-like spray, w'hich 

 should reach all parts of the plant to be thoroughlv effective. 



Cannas, perennial phloxes, and other herlMceous genera will require to 

 be watered during dry weather to bring the flowers to perfection. Where 

 the soil has been mulched one good watering is generally sufficient, and in 

 any case sufficient should l>e applied to saturate the area occupied by the 

 roots. Plants clothed with dust should receive a sprinkling overhead to 

 cleanse them. Evening is the proper time for the application, as light 

 overhead sprinklings in hot sunshine are likely to injure delicate foliage. 



Annuals that have finished blooming' should be removed and the soil 

 prepared for other plants to fill the vacancies, observing rotation as far 

 as possible. Winter and spring flowering bulbs are a good succession to 

 annuals, such as stocks, phlox Drummondi, and others. 



During this month seeds of a number of annuals and perennial plants 

 may be sown for transplanting in autumn. In any garden, a portion, 

 even if small, should be reserved as a nursery for raising plants from seeds 

 and cuttings. The important considerations are shelter and a supply of 

 water. In a very limited nursery a quantity of plants can be raised 

 annually if a frame or screen over beds or boxes for raising the plants is 

 provided. The main ad\'antage of sowing seeds in summer is that the 

 plants are readv to set out early in autumn, and make considerable progress 

 before the cold weather sets in. Pansies and Iceland poppies for example 

 raised earlv commence tO' bloo'm in Julv and develop into strong plants 

 that will continue to flower well with a little attention until Christmas. 

 In the dry and warm parts of the State they are generally pest-ridden 

 and it is better to destroy than to attempt to clean them. The soil for 

 seed beds and boxes should be light and porous, and should be firmly 

 pressed or trodden and levelled before sowing the seeds, w^hich should 

 be done thinly and evenlv. The seeds should be covered with sifted soil 



