Sept. 4—There was nothing unusual about the two pairs of wooden gales we saw today Route Ferguson, near to the Route Marese:
corner: nor way there anything attractive abet the bamboo fence. We have passed the place hundreds of times and we never suspected that ithe sombre fence was a line of demarcation between a public road and such a charming garden. It 1s another small. garden upon which Croat care and attention as been bestowed and we came away with the impression that the present occupier of the premises will con tinue the good work and make the place still more attractive by adding that. personal touch without which even a well designed place can become just ordinary. An enclosed verandah. the inside colour scheme of which blends perfectly with the foliage of the surrounding trees, {is covered with creepers; wistarias are arrang~ ced at either end and a vine in the centre. A low grass-covered bank extends along the front of the verandah; this is planted with Japanese Junipers, roses and violets while on a terrace hear by we noticed Asparagus sprenger and euonymus growing in green glazed pots, There are not many flower beds in the garden but the fow there are, are attractive: one 1s full of vinea while another at the base of a bird bath, is planted with torenia, petunia and por tulaca, In the bath, we noticed some lifesiike porcelain doves, looking so natural, A line of cedar trees divides the garden into two sections and beautiful evergreen trees are planted in the boundary shrubberies, We saw numerous cedars, Japanese junipers, pines, aucuba, snd Podocarpus: the various shades' of green are most effectively arranged while an occasional Fockery stone. breaks the monotony. There charming section north of the croquet lawn and close to two fine old weeping willow. trees: there, an ornamental. pool has been arranged with an island planted with bamboo plants the centre. A bridge connects the island. with the mainland and Yocks are protruding from small mounds along the mainland edge? some wart trees ave rowing on these mounds. We particularly liked the effect produced by groups of porcelain ducks: one "mammy" was (aking her' brood over the bridge on a visit to another family amongst the bamboo while a fluttering duckling appeared to be annoyed with its for sitting on the mainland and nor ug. family. The "black sheep" a tone duckling was seen far away on the opposite side of the pool, the whole scene was very realistic, We completea our tour of the garden by walking along an enchanting pathway along the boundary, behind the shrubberies and past young walnut. trees. azaleas and other shrubs. We have never sei of expensive trees growing. but their arrangement makes the garden appear much larger than it really and what a number of beautiful views there are! A garden "god" has a building all to itself and if it was placed there to ensure "peace and Plenty" it has done a good job of work as as the garden ie concerned—W.iK.
Sept, 8—Michaclmas daisies have commenced to make their annual display. This common name waz obviously given to the aster owing the fact that most of the species are Autumn blooming and many are in flower on September 29. The plant is also known as Starwort and this would appear to be a more appropyal ne for it. The plant is an easily grown per cnniat and" as some of the species. thrive in shade, it is extremely useful. Furthermore, our ock "of herbaceous perennials Is very limited and the plant is seen under cultivation more often here than in America, where it grows Europe. much attention Is given lant. The: different specie vary consider= ably in height; one, Aster himatateus, is. only 8 few inches high' while Aster tartarleus, 9 ive of China and Siberia, will grow to 3 height of 7 feet. "The Intter species has laval Teaver, very unlike an aster, and. it spreads rapidly here. The China aster Callistephus Hotensis is one of the most popular of garden annuals, As its name implies, It ly native 10 China. When the plant was' introduced into europe by R. P. Incarville, a Jesuit missionary. the Mowers were single, "The plant received much attention from German" florists and humorous improved varieties were raised, these being offered for sale as German asters. Wo stil! see "many. of the old-fashioned high-centred quilled Mowers in gardens; but the type known as the Comet is now more in favour. Comet Asters are characterized by having long narrow nel recurved pelals, the loose open flowers are very attractive. Tt is rather a pity that most of the asters are fo subject to disease: It is seldom that we get a good bed of some of the better types although the more common vane tics appear to thrive fairly well. Stem rot tone of our chief worries; plants are infected with the fungous disease in the seed bed and it is generally caused by the seedlings being kept continually moist, the disease Is not noticed, however, until the plants are tulle frown, when they suddenly" wilt and die, Irreguiarity in moisture. supply causes. "yellow Jeat™ which gives the plant a bleached appear= nice and results in them making only spingsing, growth. The plant bug stunts the terminal buds by puncturing the stem and causes lowers to be imperfect while a very bungey grub attacks the stem below ground Jevel, Bottonta indica is 8 local wild flower closely, allied to the astor and which is worthy of a place in our gardens, The plant may be seer: along most pathways jin the country.—w.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.