10 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER. 
Portuguese Laurel (Laurus Lusitanicus). 
This magnificent tree shown in full bloom, with long racemes of flowers, snowy white, 
6 to 8 inches in length, is usually grown as a shrub, but the subject of this illustra- 
is some 25 feet in height—undoubtedly the finest of its kind in the State. 
. The Flower Garden. 
Notes for the Month. 
There should be no lack of color in the 
garden in January. We are now being 
rewarded for the year’s labors by a wealth 
and profusion of bloom. We have but 
to maintain it through the hot trying 
months to follow. ‘The operation of 
watering has become tedious and mono- 
tonous in the extreme, but if anything 
can afford us consolation it is the magical 
“ffect it has on the drooping flower and 
flagging leaf after Llistering sun and 
withering wind have done their worst. 
There is often a lull towards evening, and 
in the softening light that follows the 
sunset, in the moisture laden atmosphere 
we have credited, when the cooling spray 
of the hose has called back the color to 
to the plants with an additional intensity, 
and caused a perfumed incense to ascend 
from every flower, we are permitted to 
enjoy those rare moments of peaceful 
enjoyment. Moments worth waiting, 
worth striving for. 
January 1, 1910 
a SE a, 
— Dahlias and Cannas. — 
Dahlias and Cannas are a host in them- 
selves for decorative purposes, but the: 
luxuriant growth and wealth of blooms. 
we desire above all things in them can 
only be encouraged and maintained by 
liberal supplies of water. In the case of 
. of the former, where the soil has not been 
well enriched frequent supplies of liquid 
manure should be given. Dahlias must 
be secured to stout stakes, one to each. 
stem ; their effect is spoilt at once if they 
are allowed to flop. With summer 
annuals it is better to rely on close. 
planting, by which they support each 
other, and due attention to strengthen- 
ing growth by pinching than to have the- 
garden bristling with stakes. 
— Cuttings. — 
Cuttings can now be taken of phloxes, 
verbenas, antirrhiniums, pentstemons,. 
lantanas, pelargoniums, petunias, and the- 
side shoots of pansies and hollyhocks 
Choose nice short-pointed wood for 
cuttings. 
— Carnations and Verbenas, — 
Carnations and verbenas can be layered 
now to to increase them. 
— Sowing Seed. — 
Seeds of Balsam, Begonias, Calceo- 
larias, Cineraria, Cyclamen, Gloxinia, 
Primnla, Pansy, and Phlox may be sown 
this month. 
— The Seed Vessels. — 
If seed vessels are to be saved they 
must be carefully watched as the ripening 
season approaches, but if a prolonged 
period of bloom is desired the plants 
should be relieved of all dead flowers. 
— Bulb Planting. — 
The planting of bulbs that have been. 
lifted may be begun within the next few 
weeks, Many varicties are positively 
injured by remaining too long out of the 
ground. 
— The Lawn, — 
The lawn should be frequently mown, 
so that the growth will be kept close and 
fine and even, Give them manure occa- 
sionally to stimulate the growth. An 
occasional sprinkling of wood ashes is 
said to be very beneficial. 
