lo Dec, 1908.] 



Garden Notes. 



759 



Dahlias intended for the culture of exhibition blooms should be planted 

 during December. In the metropolitan district, from the middle until 

 the end of the month is found most suitable for planting green plants 

 from pots. When planted at that time the blooms are produced from mid- 

 March until the cold weather arrives. Care should be taken that no plants 

 harbouring red spider should be permitted to grow near dahlias. In such 

 case the dahlias are sure to be attacked and in normal summer weather it 

 is a most difficult matter to eradicate the pest. 



Chrysanthemums will require to be thinned to a few shoots where large 

 blooms are desired, and the selected shoots tied to stakes. From four 

 to six shoots may be allowed to each strong plant growing in the open 

 ground, while three are sufficient if the plants are weakly. In hot dry 

 positions, a mulching of cool stable manure will materially assist the plants 

 to develop strong sturdy groAvths. Newly planted roses should not be 

 allowed to suffer from drought. A thorough watering, followed by sur- 

 face cultivation when the soil is drying and the application of a mulch of 

 manure immediately, will afford the plants sufficient moisture for several 

 weeks. 



The latest batch of gladioli .should be planted about the middle of the 

 month. The plants will bloom after the heat of summer is over and make 

 a good display during the autumn. A liberal dressing of stable manure, 

 well worked into the soil about eighteen inches below the surface, is most 

 beneficial to gladioli, but no manure should come into actual contact with 

 the corms. 



Kitchen Garden. 



Lateral growths should be removed from tomatoes as they develop. The 

 leading growths should be tied to stakes and, when the fruit is setting 

 freely, water should be applied liberally if the weather is dry and warm. 

 Where the larvae of the tomato moth are noticed to be attacking the young 

 fruit the plants should be thoroughly sprayed with Paris Green or other 

 arsenical wash. Application of spray washes of a poisonous nature should 

 not be applied after the fruit is about half developed. 



Seeds of French beans and various saladings should be sown to pro- 

 vide a succession. The surface should be stirred frequently to con- 

 serve moisture and prevent weeds from growdng. Young crops must be 

 thoroughlv watered as the need arises. 



