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(AT [ALL RIGHTS RXSZRVILD.1…

IrHE MARVELLOUS ELDERBERRY.…

I QUAINT POACHING DEVICES.…

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I S THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN.…

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I S THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN. 1 In 's infinite book of secrecy ? In Nature's inftnhc book of secrecy /n\ l? A Httle I can read.—t??ony ? <??o?a?ro. /?\ Ferns.-Evergreen ferns have no distinct resting season, but a period of less activity for a few weeks in mid-winter is very bene- ficial to the plants. This is done by giving slightly less water, and lowering the tem- perature of the house a few degrees. Chrysanthemums.—After flowering, select the plants from which cuttings are required. Cut down the old stems to within about one foot of the base. Stand the pots in a light position on a cool greenhouse stage, or in a. frost-proof frame. If an abundance of cuttings are growing from the base, thiD these to ensure sturdy shoots. » » Protecting Plants from Frost.—Those with various plants, rooted cuttings, or otherwise, in cold frames often find it difficult to pro- tect them adequately from frost. The fault made too often by the experienced and inex- perienced is that of ignoring the need for a double protection, so 11 as to have it always dry. Damp or wet coverings tend to lower the temperature of the warmth conserved within the frame and expose the occupants of the frame more readily to danger from frosts. Place a thick covering of straw or bracken directly over the plants beneath the lights during a period of prolonged frost. » Compost for Chrysanthemum Cuttings.— It is desirable to mix and store the soil un- der cover for 10 days or a fortnight before required for use. Use two parts of loam to one part of decayed leaf-mould, passed through a sieve with a half-inch mesh. Add one peck of coarse silversand to each bushel of soil, and a little powdered charcoal and wood ash. Turn over and mix several times before required for use. < Lapagria rosea.—In mid-winter this climber flowers freely in the. cool or cold greenhouse. Hanging frcm the slender twining growths, the red and white, bell- shaped blossoms attract attention, whether trained, to pillars and rafters or on the back wall of the house. It is desirable, when pre- paring a compost of soil. to add a good pro- portion of peat The Lapageria is best pro- pagated by layering; bend down a growth or two, on which there are no flowers, now. •» A Fine Orchid.—Cypripedium insigne is one of the few orchids which can be grown very successfully in an ordinary greenhouse which contains a variety of plants. With a minimum night temperature between 40 de- grees and 50 degress Fahrenheit, the plants flower freely from October to January. In- dividual flowers last in good condition from six weeks to two months, sometimes longer, whilst when cut for table decoration we have kept them for a month, giving fresh water, with a knob or two of charcoal in the vase, and cutting off the base of the stalk-once a week. < Standard Briers.—Purchase or collect from the hedgerows a few briers suitable to bud as standard roses next July or August. The Goo.t'6 Rue.—This grows 3t to 4 feet Mgh, and is a -valuable plant for planting now in mixed flowlr borders. Increase is by division of the clumps. The Goat's Rue thrives in ordinary soil, which should be dug deeply and manured. The variety Her Majesty rose, is an improvement upon offici- nalis, and Niobe, white, should be cultivated in preference to officinalis alba. A Tall Hedge.—A question often asked is, What can be planted to form a screen quickly? The Lombardy Poplar, Populus nigra fastigiata, is without doubt the best tree for the purpose. Quite large trees of it transplant readily, and thrive in most soils and smoky districts. They are upright in growth and form a hedge without clipping, so do not overhang surrounding plants, and the roots do not spread unduly in the ground. < Peas in the Open.—The round-seeded varieties which it is usual to sow in autumn may be expected to pass through an ordi- nary winter unharmed without any protec. tion, but whenever a mild period is followed by sudden and severe frost a light covering with bushy sticks or bracken is advisable. ♦ Drumhead Kale.—Where the heads have attained full size cutting may now be done, but instead of throwing away the stem allow this to remain undisturbed. If we get a mild period it will not be long before these are well furnished with useful sprouts. Ashes from Coal Fire.—These make a capi- tal path for kitchen gardens. A depth of not more than three inches will allow wheel- barrows to be run over a path even during a very wet period, while during the summer weeds give very little trouble, especially if the rake is frequently used during dry weather. «• • • Renovating Old Vines.—New life and vigour can often be given to old vines by renovating the border now, in removing all old soil, or the greater part of it, and re- placing it with fresh; also by training a new rod to replace the existing one. Ope method of obtaining a new rod is, when Eruning, to cut the lowest spur back fairly hard if it is somewhat lengthy. Thia will give rise ordinarily to the formation of a bud not far from the main stem, from which a strong shoot will arise. Failing this, the shoot which springs from the lowest spur, after pruning, should be retained intact throughout the growing season and en- couraged to make strong growth by the re- moval of lateral growths, also by affording plenty of light and air. <J Border Chryeanthemums.-With the idea of securing good cuttings for propagation during March and early April, lift a few clumps of border chrysanthemums new. Place these in shallow boxes of good soil and stand in a cold frame for a few weeks. During February bring them into a cool greenhouse if one is available, where hand- ling will be easier. Label each clump care- fully to make sure of cuttings being taken from all the sorts; some invariably develop suckers much more freely than others. Perennial S-a r'flowers.-F<)r the flower bor ders and the supply of flowers for cutting from August to Ootober, the Helianthuaes are popular. They thrive in most soils and positions if the ground is deeply dug and manured. The perennial sunflowers have thick roots, each of which is terminated by a crown or growth by means of which in- crease is easy and rapid. A selection for pre- sent planting includes: single-flowered—Miss Mellish, maximum and Rev. Wolley Dod: double-fiowered-rigidus semi-plenus, Etoile d'Or and Meteor. All have rich yellow flowers. • • Apples.—Where summer pruning was done and the leading growths were left unpruned it will now be time to give them attention. Cut out any lateral growths missed at the same time. Older trees which have iarge overgrown spurs may have these thinned, and even TemoTed in some instances, but only one here and there should be taken completely out. ♦ Lime for Fruit Trees.—All the stone fruits need a proper proportion of lime in the soii or they will fail to produce satisfactory crops. This is proved by their failure to set and swell the fruits in a favourable year. A' dressing of finely-slaked lime, spread ovet the surface soil at the rate of four to cit ounces, may be applied and forked in lightly. during the winter. • Cordon Pears.—The planting of these itii positions which are restricted with regard to space may be commended. Cordons often produce the finest fruits, some of the best pears having been secured from such trees. Glou Morceau is a suitable late sort; also Doyenne du Cornice, which is the finest pear we have. Others are Triomphe de Vienne, Emile d'Heyst and Beurre Rauce. ♦ Swed,e-,v.-Lif-t at least a portion of these, and store in a box for use later in the win- ter, when the tOots in the garden are lrozen through. » Broad Beans.—Plant from seeds sown last month will now be showing above the ground. When the state of the soil allows, draw a little fine soil to the rows as a pro- tection from severe frost. Ridging Soil.—Where trenching or ordi- nary double-digging cannot be practised. get all vacant ground ridged up before the end of the year. Soil thus treated and left untii spring is usually in grand condition for carrots or other deep-rooting crops. ♦ Spring Cal)bage.-Plints of spring cab- bage have made exceptionally good growth. The mild weather, together with rains, have caused new leaves to develop at a rapid rate. Such leaves, being far more tender than others, should have a light covering of straw or hay during severe weather.

IIMITATING NATURE. I

OLD CLOTHES. I

I WONDERS OF PRICING. I

THE POULTRY YARD.

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