\Jovernb<^r 28, 1908. THE 
GARDENING WORLD. 7V 
fira greatly varying districts, and in re- 
,,-d to plants grown under greatly differ- 
n conditions. Sweet Peas on totally 
unanured ground and on ground that 
hi only been ploughed suffered the same 
a those grown on well trenched land 
vh abundance of manure. The ama- 
t r has suffered with the trade grower, 
ad no experience seems to be able to 
vrd off the enemy. 
\s would be expected, the highest. 
„entific authorities have been consulted, 
It no remedy has been discovered, 
thought this fact has been established, 
tit the trouble is physiological and not 
]biological, that is, that it is not caused 
] any fungus or similar parasitic growth 
t the plants. 
Information as to cause or cure that 
m be afforded by any reader would be 
: great boon to the Sweet Pea world, 
lie grower, having been troubled by it 
several years past, has several times 
]d a considerable depth of his ground 
■ rted away and replaced by fresh soil, 
It without avail. In the same instance, 
/ected plants on one side of a brick 
ill grew and intermingled with clean 
ants on the other side without the 
liter suffering any ill effects. In the 
iter’s garden, practically the whole 
llection was attacked in 1907, but in 
e next year not a trace was to be seen 
itil September, when only a few plants 
ffered. No reason, however, could be 
und for this happy state of affairs. 
Some growers might expect that seeds 
ved from “streaky” plants -would pro¬ 
ice “streaky” offspring, but experience 
several cases has proved that this is not 
It may not be generally known to readers 
this journal that the Sweet Pea is being 
rgely used by scientists in experiments 
heredity. Our flower has been chosen 
r this honour chiefly because it is a 
ire seeder and performs its life cycle in 
le year, and above all, is always self- 
rtilised without artificial means being 
.ken to prevent the intrusion of insects. 
11 who are interested in raising 
Bw varieties of Sweet Peas should read 
ime work on Mendelism. By this means 
ley will understand the reasons for many 
icts met with in crossing Sweet Peas, 
hd will learn much concerning the fixity 
nd unfixitv of varieties. At present 
lost Sweet Pea enthusiasts who are of a 
tientific turn of mind, seem to be study- 
tg it in connection with Mendel’s law, 
nd I understand that Mr. Cuthbertson, 
f Messrs. Dobbie and Co., is writing on 
tat subject for publication in next 
ear’s “Sweet Pea Annual.” This should 
e well worth reading. 
G. F. Drayson. 
-- 
ingle Chrysanthemum Sylvia Slade. 
The large flowers of this variety are 
f a rich lake with a white zone round 
he disc and very handsome. Award of 
lerit by the R.H.S., in November, when 
hown by Messrs. W. Wells and Co., 
lerstham, and First-class Certificate 
rom the N.C.S. 
apanese Chrysanthemum Purity. 
The blooms of this exhibition variety 
ary from 7 in. to 8 in. in diameter, and 
re made up of a dense interlacing mass 
t pure white florets. Award of Merit, 
n November, by the R.H.S., when shown 
y Messrs. W. Wells and Co., Merstham. 
The Flower Garden. 
Shrubberies. 
While the weather is calm take the oppor¬ 
tunity to get all fallen leaves cleared out 
of the shrubberies where you do not intend 
to bury them for the benefit of the shrubs. 
By timely thought labour may be lightened. 
If you have just brushed up all the leaves 
from the lawn and then commence to rake 
Fig. i shows how to lay turves on a lawn; 
A, sface to he relaid ; B, shows the edges 
of old turf turned slightly hack; C, C, 
C C, good turf, hut also shows how turf 
should be marked for lifting. 
up those in the shrubbery border on a windy 
day, many leaves will be blown all over the 
grounds again, thus entailing additional 
labour. If the leaves are damp and the 
shrubs dry, it will be a much easier matter 
to clear them away than if they were very 
dry. 
But it is a mistake to take away all leaves 
in gardens where manure is not dug in to 
assist the growth of the shrubs. The sur¬ 
face of the soil may be lightly pointed over 
and the leaves of the trees buried in this 
way; or, if there is plenty of soil available 
in the garden, a thin coating of it may be 
scattered on the leaves. The shrubs and 
trees will be greatly improved if you do 
this. From time to time, the garden paths 
are swept and a sandy soil is gathered up ; 
this matter you should retain in a heap, and 
put it on the leaves on the shrubbery border 
every winter. 
Mending Lawns. 
If there are any bare places on the lawn 
no time should be lost in having the bad 
turf taken up and new put down. 
Now, there is a right and a wrong way 
to patch lawns and many amateurs follow 
the latter. Old lawns are rarely manured, 
and consequently the grass is short and the 
blades small. When new turves are laid 
seme good soil is generally put under them 
with the result that the grass grows strongly 
and shows up in patches on the lawn the 
following summer. 
If new loam is needed use some of poor 
quality and after making it level and firm 
put on a layer of fine ashes 1 in. deep before 
laying the turves. The ashes will prevent 
a too luxuriant growth of grass and so the 
lawn will look the same all over afterwards. 
Fig. 1 shows how the turf should be 
mended. Remove the bad turf from A and 
then turn back the edges of the surround¬ 
ing turf as shown at B. It will be neces¬ 
sary to put a small quantity of soil under 
the edge of the old turf C, -C, C, C, all 
round to make a perfect job of the relaying 
of the space A. 
Both old and new turf should be marked 
for lifting as shown at C. If you mend the 
lawn now the new turf will become estab¬ 
lished by next summer. 
The Mowing Machine. 
There will not be any further use for this 
instrument during this autumn, so it must 
he thoroughly cleaned and stored in a dry 
shed. After cleaning away all soil and 
grass adhering to the different parts of the 
machine, oil the cogwheels and the bearings, 
then with a brush or piece of rag smear 
oil all over the blade, drum and roller, and 
place the machine in a dry shed on boards. 
On no account should any parts of the ma¬ 
chine be allowed to get rusty. 
Hollyhocks. 
Clear away all faded leaves and stems 
of Hollyhocks and burn them forthwith. 
Do not leave a single leaf lying about. 
The Fruit Garden. 
Staking Fruit Trees. 
The prudent gardener will see to it that 
every newly-planted standard fruit tree is 
duly staked, and also rotten stakes replaced 
by new ones. Not only is it advisable to 
stake standard specimens, but smaller ones 
such as bushes and pyramids should also 
be supported at least for three years after 
they are planted. Being held firmly in their 
position against strong winds, the roots take 
a firm hold of the soil. This is not the 
case when the trees are blown to arid fro. 
Fig.- 2 shows how a standard should be 
staked. Of course it is advisable to drive 
in the stake immediatelv the tree is placed 
in the hole and before the roots are covered 
