First Annual Report of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Auckland. (Continued from Nos. 27, 28, & 30.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 32, 25 November 1843, Page 4

First Annual Report of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of Auckland. (Continued from Nos. 27, 28, & 30.)

HORTICULTURE. No country in the world s&ems to be better adapted to Horticulture than New Zealand, the alternations of shower and sunshine that characterize the climate for a great part of the year, cause a most surprising vegetation. All the common fruits and vegetables of Europe flourish in great perfection, and some of the southern climates grow vigorously in the open air. Fruits. There are panted at present in this district, peaches, nectarines, apricots, almonds, figs, lemons, oranges, olives, vines, plums, cherries, mulberries, pears, apples, quinces, walnuts, filberts, and the loquat (mespilus Japonicus). These are all in a healthy state, and many give promise of fruit this season. Jt is doubtful if the orange will ripen its fruit, or the olive, both of which however are in a thriving condition. — They may be planted in June, July, and August, and care should be taken to support them for the first year with stakes until firmly rooted. Orchards. The immediate formation of orchards cannot be too strongly recommended. They' should contain peaches, apples, pears, plums, j and figs, their produce would not .only be agreeable adjuncts to domestic economy, but the apple and pear might be exported, and probably cider and perry might be made for home consumption, or for the above purpose. Vineya/rds. The vine plants brought from Sydney in October, 1840, have already produced grapes, and others procured from differeut sources, and planted subsequently in gardens, have thriven surprisingly. The cultivation of the vine on a large scale is a subject that might be enlarged upon, but as it is expensive, and the return tardy, it is not likely to be attended to in the infancy of a colony, but it should not be lost sight of, and it is to be hoped that some enterprising and competent person may yet undertake it, for there can be no doubt that the volcanic lands in this vicinity I are well adapted for -vineyards,, and fhat good wine might be made from their produce. In the mean time, the experiments carried on in the gardens will show what success may be reasonably anticipated, and ultimately lead to the formation of extensive vineyards. Small Fruits. The gooseberry, red and black currant, have been planted, but it is probable that the climate of this district is not adapted to them, as a long continued high temperature would seem to be unsuited to their habits ; being natives of northern climates, they do not thrive, but probably means may be found to cultivate these national fruits. The same may be said of the raspberry, unless planted in a very moist and shady situation. The strawberry has afforded fine crops in some gardens, but the soil in general appears unsuitable, they generally run too much 'to Jeaf. The Cape gooseberry (jphysalis edulis) is almost indigenous, growing wild in every part of the country, but if cultivated in gardens and trained, would grow to a greater size, and prove a valuable fruit for domestic purposes. It bears nearly throughout the year. Melons of several varieties have been grown in the open air, tho' late in coming to maturity, they were of delicious flavour, but if some were raised in fames in the early jpart of the spring, and planted out, they I would bo much earlier and have a longer season. Culinary Vegetables. The common culinary vegetables of Europe grow in this district in a manner that cannot be surpassed, but much judgment is required in selecting the period for sowing and planting. It may be stated as a general rule, that np seed need be planted in the months of January and February, as the dryness of the season and the attacks of the insects will render the labour futile. The results of the experience of three years are now furnished. Cabbage. Every variety of cabbage may be sown from April to November, but those planted out in the early summer make little progress until invigorated by the autumnal rains. If however seed sown in summer escape the ravages of caterpillars, &c, they will be fit for planting out in April. With good management they may be produced almost throughout the year. Brocoli and Cauliflower may be sown in the latter end of April for a spring crop. They may be also sown in June and July, and planted out in September, and will be ready for use in the summer. The spring crop is particularly fine. Peas may be sown from June to December, but the late sown crop are uncertain ; they are sometimes sown in April, but as they flower in June, they are apt to be nipped by the hoar frosts, they do howevor sometimes succeed at that season.

Beans may be sown in May and June, when a foot high, it is best to cut them down close to the ground, they will then flower in September, and produce plentifully ; if again cut down, they will bear again ; they seem to fee biennial in this climate ; they may •also be sown in September and October. Kidney Beans may be sown from September to November, they bear plentifully, and a species (haricot blanc of the French) produces abundantly, and might be used in their dried state with advantage, as in the south of Europe, in soups and stews, they are very nourishing and palatable ; the scarlet runner does not generally succeed well, but a species, the Lima pole bean, introduced from South America, grows well in a rich soil and in a sheltered situation, and is a very delicious vegetable, being used as the broad bean ; they may be sown in the early part of November, and trained on poles. Carrots may be sown from April to September, but not later with advantage, as they are apt to run to seed ; they grow to a very large size. Turnips may be sown during the same months as the Carrots. Onions, Leeks, &c, may be sown for main crop in September and October. The potatoe onion, which thrives admirably, ought to be planted in June. A species of eschalot, which has almost become indigenous, being cultivated largely by the Natives, grows throughout the year. .Spinach and Beet may be sown from April to October, but not later with advantage. Lettuce may be sown from April to the end of November, they grow during the whole winter. Radish, Cress, &c, may be sown as the above, and grow to a great size. Gourds, Pumpkins. The varieties of these vegetables may be sown in October and November, they grow to an immense size, and as they keep during the winter, are a very useful article for domestic purposes. Vegetable Marrow. This delicious vegetable may be sown from the 1st October to the 10th November ; an abundant crop is produced in the -summer, -when other vegetables are scarce, and the plants cease bearing for a time, but revived by the rains which usually fall in the autumn, they often continue bearing until the month of June. There have been several varieties introduced from Nbrth America, under the name of " Squash," which are very fine. Cucumbers may be sown in rich soil in the same months as the above, and follow the same course, but by the use of hot beds, they might be earlier. Tomatas should be sown in a rich soil, and in a sheltered situation, in October ana November, and to ensure their early ripening, they should be trained to a trellis, they grow to a great size, and continue bearing until affected by frost. Capiscum. The seed of this plant should be sown at the same time, and under the same circumstances as the above. They bear -plentifully, and appear to be perennial in this country. Pot Herbs. These grow luxuriantly during the winter, and are mostly perennial. Sweet | basil however, requires to be sown in October every year, the rest may be propagated by cuttings, from April to August. Flowers. It would be tedious to enumerate the variety of flowers that flourish in this district. It may suffice to say, that in addition j to those cultivated in the open air in Great Britain, many grow here throughout the year, which there require the protection of a green-house. Hardy annuals may be sown at any time except during summer, which is too hot and dry. Tender annuals in September, almost every variety of ornamental shrubs grows from cuttings. ( liaising Seed. From the difficulty that exists of procuring i sound seed, the Committee would urge the necessity of raising all seeds in the colony. It is not merely requisite to select fine plants, but to sow them expressly for that purpose, i so as to ensure the ripening of the seed before the appearance of • the caterpillars in December, these troublesome reptiles seem principally to confine their attacks to the pods and seed vessels of the different vegeti ables ; through which they cut their way, and devour the contents. It may be well therefore, to sow seeds at an early period of the year for the purpose of preserving them, and those that are raised by transplanting, as the cabbage, &c, should be planted out in the winter. Trenching. It may be strongly recommended in the formation of a garden, to trench the ground at least two feet deep, in order to bring up the subsoil, which, when so brought up and exposed, seems to be as favorable to vegetable growth, as the upper soil itself, this is more particularly necessary where fruit trees are planted. ' i