0 
~ NoveMBER 1, 1902. 
the Dahlias which are to be. 
opposite is a counterpart of this with the 
addition of a shade of blue from the Corn- 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
a Ea 97 
oe 
circular pathway, with cross paths leading 
into each. The Palm centre is massed in 
a bed of white Pinks, which are very effec- 
tive. Looking from the centre to the 
western’ plot we see the Ranunculus and 
the Narcissus neatly tied up after their 
blooming, while the ~annual’ Chrysan- 
themums still show their variegated 
colours. . The Roses are in their prime of 
beauty, and the carefully laid soil covers 
The bed 
flowers. Turning to the opposite corner 
-we find an array of Chrysanthemums, 
with little peeps of blue from the modest 
and. dainty little annual Forget-me-nots. 
Goodetia are coming strong for present 
blooming, and in the centre is a vigorous 
plant of Hibiscus splendeus. Yet again 
on the fourth plot we find the same order 
of things. The inner edging of these four 
plots is of Pyrethrum, looking as neat as 
order can make it, giving a pleasing 
variety of light foliage against the pre- . 
dominating dark green of the buffalo grass. 
The two upper grass corners filling up the 
square are centred with Orange trees, 
while the tower complementary corners 
are-set off with Palms. It is rather a pity, 
bythe way, that all the Palms in the gar- 
den should be of one variety. Haif-a- 
dozen others would look equally well and — 
lend a greater charm to the general effect. 
‘Looking from this elevation across to 
the stabling and yard at the extreme end 
of the grounds we see a well-furnished 
kitchen garden of toothsome comestibles, 
looking fresh and. appetising, the sweet, 
young, raw turnips being, we notice, an un- 
deniable temptation, as they always are, 
strange to say, to the children, one of 
whom was affectionately negotiating one 
of these indigestible stolen sweets. 
‘Passing across the lower footpath to the 
sloping walk which. runs straight down 
the western side, we find that an effort is 
being made to cover the great dividing 
galvanized iron fence. In. view of, the 
forest growth of trees cverlooking this 
fence the task of covering it with creepers 
from the garden side is no easy matter. 
The subsoil is no doubt robbed of ‘all ‘its 
nurture by a mass of roots to support the 
growth of trees ; but many of the creepers 
are making a gay effort, and amongst 
them we notice a selection of the Ken- 
nedyas, Clematis, Jasmine, and Passiflora 
Constance Elliot. A brick wall of a 
building is being utilized to display the 
climbing fig (Ficus stipulata), which will 
take some time before its leaves spread 
the superficial area, but will repay all 
attention. Further up the slope we note 
the Banksias, Bougainvilleas, Cobea 
scandeus, - Salanum Jasminoides,  Ste- 
phanotis, and Rhincospermum. 
Here our ramble round the garden 
comes to an end, and we have just 
further to remark that we could hard] 
have believed it possible that within the 
limits of practically one season such a 
complete transformation scene were pos- 
sible. All the paths are beautifully kept, 
and this in itself is no mean undertaking, 
for they must represent a good many yards 
of work to cover, Not a weed is to be 
3K The 
- seen about the place, everything 1s ‘neat 
and clean, with .a choice: collection «-of 
growth, which, going on at its present 
rate, will in'a very few- seisons ‘make 
“ Ranfurly” rank amongst some of ‘the best 
flower gardens of North Adelaide, which 
is saying a good deal. We congratulate 
Mr. Carter, the gardener; whose testi- 
monials from some of the royal gardens of 
England give the key to the secret of Mr. 
Kuhnel’s pretty estate. cert 
tt 
Orchard. 
+ essere 
Ns 
a 
I By “HawrnHorn.” | 
HE arrangement of soil surfaces should 
be seriously engaging the attention of 
fruit-growers at the present season, the object 
being to keep the land clean, sweet, and 
moist. Cultural m2thods naturally de- 
pend on the nature of the soil, the character 
of the tree, and the class of: growth it is 
desirable to promote. Close and open, hot 
andcold, dry and moist, deep andshallowsoils 
all call for different treatment. The warm 
weather and heavy rains that have alternately 
_ prevailed will have the effect of stimulating 
root action, and will- probably result in 
growth of a strong woody character. This 
will be an advantage in the case of young or 
weakly trees, but where weakness rather than 
strength is required in a tree in order to 
make it fruitful it may be necessary to culti- 
vate the soil in such a manner as to cause it 
to dry out somewhat. Dryness will impose 
a check on the root and will lead to the pro- 
duction of weaker and more fruitful wood. 
Many of the orchard trees have now arrived 
at a critical stage of their development. 
' The unfolding of the leaf and flower is now 
proceeding. This process is materially as- 
sisted by the slow and gradual ascent of the 
‘sap. Any excess of moisture at the roots at 
this period would have the effect of sending 
up a quantity of crude sap to the head of the 
tree, already supplied with a sufficiency of 
elaborated sap, and would upset its balance. 
The object in cultivating therefore is to keep 
up a gradual supply of elaborated sap only. 
To enable the tree to set its fruit the soil 
must be kept sweet, warm, and open, and 
when the storing and seed-growing stage is 
reached growth must practically stop. Faulty 
cultivation would result in malformation or 
abortion. After the fruit -is well formed a 
period of active growth ensues, and the tree 
should be cultivated to enable it to sustain a 
healthy growth. 
Great care must be taken in dealing with 
young fruit trees to keep the soil sweet, 
especially if there is a tendency to excessive 
moisture and a low temperature, the roots 
are very near the surface and upon them” 
the head of the tree largely depends for food. 
We wish to ensure a strong, free growth in 
young‘ trees. 
Towards the end of the month, or even 
earlier in dry districts, it will be advisable to 
mulch so that all available moisture may be 
stored up for future use. Weeds and litter 
of every description, provided it is clean’ 
can ‘be utilised for this purpose. Trees that 
have been recently grafted or budded will 
require attention from time to time, to have 
“their ties loosened and superfluous growth 
removed. It is advisable to allow more 
shoots than are actually required to remain 
to act as a screen, and also to take the place 
of others that may be accidently injured. 
All suckers should be promptly removed«as 
they appear by severing them from the: root 
as far as possible below the surface. 
Trees that are found to be bark bound can 
now be lanced, as that operation can be per- 
formed after the sap hasrisen. It will have 
the effect of increasing the flow of sap, thus 
strengthening a weak tree and healing any 
wounds’ that may have been caused by 
gumming, accident or disease. The cuts 
should be made quite perpendicularly. 
Apples, plums, apricots, cherries, and pears 
may be dealt with in this manner. a 
With the approach of warmer weather the 
planting of citrus trees may be proceeded with, 
provided the land has been well and care- 
fully prepared. “Young trees must have a 
clean, loose, moist,” sweet soil, as they re- 
quire to make a free growth towards the 
latter end of summer. The situation must 
be carefully chosen. They must not be ex- 
posed to cold harsh winds, nor must they be 
protected to the exclusion of light and air, 
both of which are highly necessary to their 
heathly development. In a cool district 
they may be’planted at a distance of from 18 
to 24 feet apart. — ; 
The early spring affords an opportunity of 
directing the growth on young fruit trees, re- 
moving shoots in faulty positions, and select- 
ing only those that will ensure the production 
of -a shapely and profitable head. The 
energy of the sap must be well directed. If 
the trees are struggling in a poor soil give 
them a liberal mulch. Look to the stakes 
and see that they are firmly secured. 
Young and weakly trees will benefit by 
their trunks being bandaged as a protection 
from the sun. The bandages, however, must 
not be allowed to go too long without in’ 
spection, as thay offer a lodgment for para- 
sites. Most insects renew their activity at 
this season. The first and wisest precaution 
is to keep the trees in a condition to resist 
their ravages. Every tree should be given 
the fullest opportunity of preserving itself in 
health. It is too often due to the exclusion of 
light and air that they become weak and 
dirty, and a prey to insects and disease. 
See that all dead matter is removed, 
as it also is a fertile source of refuge 
for enemies. Peach trees are particularly 
liable to aphis and leaf curl when placed in 
damp, airless soils. Warmth and sweetness 
are essential to the health and vigour of a 
peach tree. Leaf curl if taken in time can 
be effectually combated witha spray of 
Bordeaux © mixture, summer _ strength. 
Affected leaves should be removed and 
burnt. Aphis is a persistent pest, and will 
only yield to repeated sprayings with tobacco 
water and softsoap. Codlin Moth can be 
treated when the fruit is just set with Paris 
green, London purple, or kerosine emulsion. 
Red spider attacks apples, pears, and plums, 
and is very active in dry weather. A weak 
spray of Bordeaux mixture should be applied. 
Citrus trees that are affected with scale or 
