E. B. COX & Co, Seedsmen, Ete., corner Rundle Street and East Terrace. 
March Number of 
1907 
The Nustralian Gardener 
Flower (arden. 
omy 
VWs Anyone interested in the 
@) budding of roses may be 
able to experiment during 
this month, providi g there 
is sufficient rain to cause 
free growth in the stocks wherevy the 
bark rises easily, A little practise is 
necessary to cut out the wood eyes of 
the scion neatly, so tbat as much as 
possible of the inner layer of bark may 
be exposed, so that it can come in 
contact with the inner bark of the 
stcck. Insert the wood bud in the 
shady side of «he stcck and protect 
with a little cotton, or moss or some- 
thing of the sort, so as to keep the 
bud and budded portion of the stock 
rather moist. Otherwise, if the dry 
weather sets in, the bud may shrivel 
up betore a union is effected. 
During the month roses that have 
been grown in pots may be planted— 
not old pot-bound stuff, but good 
young plants Ifthey are watered now 
and then, and are well looked after, 
they should grow into very satisfac 
tory plants during the remainer of 
the summer and autumn. 
Seenkey padgalea cs 
BY J. CRONIN. 
Tux most important work is the conser- 
vation of moisture in the soil, and the 
application of water where necessary. A, 
frequently stated, there is no more neces- 
sary work during the summer than the 
frequent disturbance and pulverisation of 
the surface, The hoe or cultivator should 
be used as often as possible, especially 
after rain or watering, causing the pro- 
ductlon of an earth mulch 2 or 3 inches 
deep. Established plants will require 
little water under such conditions, except 
during periods of severe heat and drought 
or in exceptionally dry places. 
The value of thorough drainage may 
be seen at this season. Roots of plants 
growing in sweet well drained soil pene- 
trate to a much greater depth than those 
that are growing in soil water logged in 
winter and spring, and are thus enabled 
to acquire moisture and plant food from 
a inuch greater depth and area, being also 
jess liable to suffer from fluctuations of 
temperature. Water should be applied in 
su flicieut quantity to moisten the soil and 
the surface near the plants should be 
either mulched or broken up finely with 
the hoe while drying. 
DauLIAs. 
Newly planted dahlias and other tender 
plants will require special attention in 
watering, shading and cultivating, until 
,horoughly established and growing freely, 
Dahlias should be mulched with long 
manure ad securely staked as growth 
progresses. 
An occasional syringing or overhead 
sprinkling in the evening of days of great 
heat will benefit the plants and also 
check red spider, the principal insect 
enemy of the dahlia. 
CHRYSANTHEMUMS 
grown for exhibition blooms should noy 
be allowed to suffer from lack of moisture 
during hot dry weather. Under ordinary 
weather conditions, if the beds are well 
drained and properly prepared, hoeing 
the surface occasionally is sufficient to 
keep the plants growing steadily. The 
plants will probably produce a bud in the 
points of the shoots, and break into 
lateral growth early in the year. This bud 
is known as the first crown and should 
not be saved, All shoots but the leaders 
should be removed and great care should 
be taken that these are not damaged by 
caterpillars, etc., as on these shoots the 
finest buds are produced. The flower bud 
is rounded, and occupies the centre of the 
shoot, being accompanied on either side 
by growth buds. The latter should be 
removed as early as possible without 
damaging the flower bud, which is known 
as the second crown bud. No liquid 
manure should be applied to plants in. 
prepared beds before the end of last 
month, 
CARNATIONS 
may be increased by layering the growth 
after the flowering period. The layers 
root readily in light soil well supplied 
with moisture Flowering shoots should 
be removed from plants of tree carnations: 
designed to bloom in winter. 
SEEDS 
of pansy and Iceland poppy should be- 
sown to supply plants that will flower in 
winter. A special shade or cold frame 
should be provided and the seed sown in 
light soil in boxes or in shady borders. 
One of the best strains of pansy procurable 
is Bath’s Empress. A fair proportion of 
finely marked fancy varieties of large size 
may be expected. Iceland poppies are 
easily grown, and are specially valuable: 
during winter and spring for garden deco_ 
ration or as cut flowers. A new strain 
producing flowers of different shades of 
pink is advertised, and should be worth a 
trial The colors of the older varieties 
are white, yellow and orange. 
Buss. 
Ground should be prepared for the- 
reception of bulbs and corms of winter 
and blooming plants, such as Narcissi. A 
late batch of corms of gladioli may be 
‘planted for autumn blooming: the ground 
should be deeply worked and well. 
manured for their reception. Gladioli 
that are showing flower spikes should be- 
staked and liberally watered, 
