VALUABLE VEGETABLES

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 36, 12 February 1931, Page 21

VALUABLE VEGETABLES

PUMPKINS, CELERY, LEEKS

SOME USEFUL: HINTS

NOTICE TO READERS. This column is intended principally for gardeners with small plots, and the aim is to make It as practical and useful as possible. Inquiries on any matter of gardenIng interest will be welcomed. The rule for. correspondence is that all communications must be accompanied by the name and address of the writer, not for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. This rulo will be strictly adhered to. This is your column—make use of it.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. PJV.B."—AII the cutting necessary to your roses at the present time is to remove any old flowering stems. Tbo second crop or flowers should be coming away now. Asparagus Sprengeri should be re-potted when It has overgrown its pot. This can nuite easily be seen, as the roots will force tho plant out of the pot. 'The cause of,' the loaves falling is probably because you have kept the plant. In too close an atmosphere. Asparaguses require plenty of fresh air. . These plants only require an ordinary amount of water sufficient to keep the soil moist. fYtonateur." —Tour lettuces are attacked by the dampingron* disease, sometimes known as "collar rot." There is no cure for affected plants, but if you treat the soil with Cheshunt compound you will prevent the spread of the disease or a recurrence The grubs are most probably grass grubs, and are difficult to eradicate. Your best plan would be to dig over the ground and leave it fallow, forking it over now and then to let the birds get the grubs. Probably Jeyes soli fumlgant would destroy them. , ' !"Karori."—Give the ground a good dressing of lime, about alb to the square" yard. Tho more you ran work it the better, provided it is not too wet. Never work clayey poll while it Is full or water, or it will set in hard lumps. Work in as much decayed Tegetable matter as possible, and if you can obtain it, stable manure. The manure may be applied a month after the lime or during the final working in the spring. The worst of the stones would be better: removed, as they cause trouble when working the soil. Strawberry culture is dealt with in these notes.-"J.A.T."-—Your query is answered 'In- these notes. "C. Mac."—Most of the weeds will probably prove to"" be annuals, in which case the cutting will kill them and prevent them from seeding. Perennial weeds, such as daisies, plaintalns, and docks can be killed by an application of sulphato of ammonia. Make a solution. %lb of of ammonia to the gallon of water. When the ammonia is dissolved, add another 3 gallons of water. Stretch two lines on the lawn nine feet apart, then spread the liquid evenly between the lines with a ■watering can, being careful to cover every inch of lawn so that the result-will not be patchy. The sulphate of ammonia may turn the grass brown for a little while, but it will come away stronger and better than ever, while the weeds will bo killed. Very big weedg Bhould have tho solution applied to the roots direct. \ 'Pumpkins should now be making good jp-owth, and as they are rapid "growers one? they start to run, it is necessary to control the long shoots, otherwise they are apt to smother other smaller crops.' "The growths should be pegged back, and it is advisable to nip the tips to induce lateral growths, as it is upon these that most of. tho fruit is borne. It frequently occurs that tho fruit fails to mature, dropping off when quite small. This is usually caused by incomplete pollination. It is wise to hand pollinate the flowers and so ensure tho fruit setting. This is done by transferring some pollen from tne male flower to the femal flower with tho: tip of a f eatKer or a : soft camel's hair

brush. The female flower —the one which bears the fruit—can -be -readily recognised'by the embryo fruit: at the base. The plants require plenty of moisture. . TO. GROW CELERY Two essentials for tho successful growing of celery are abundance of well-rotted manure- and moisture. The plants "must never be allowed to wilt, as .any; check: during growth will ruin tho crop. Earthing up should bo dono very carefully as if the soil gets into the heart the'sticks are spoilt to a certain extent. It is a good plan to hold the leaves together while the soil is ' Nbeing put round, or they may be tied with some soft material- such as raffia. Earthing should be dono while the plants and soil are dry, and should not bo started until growth is nearly complete. The object of earthing "up is to blanch the stems. WINTER CROP. Leeks form a valuable winter crop; and when well grown are very, useful. To get good results'the soil must be rich and the plants be fed with liquid manure and nitrato of soda. Plants may still be put in, tho simplest, method being to make holes with a dibble,, drop in the plant, and water copiously. Do not trouble to replace the soil in the holes, the water will wash down, sufficient to cover the roots. Some growers advocate shortening both roots and tops prior to planting,, but this is a matter for individualu decisionl. -'It is not necessary and may or may not be an advantage. ' ■'-.■' TOMATOES AND ONIONS. ? - Itis doubtful whether many! of the outdoor tomatoes will ripen- this- year. The lack of heat, has kept the fruit back very seriously. The plants are growing well in • most cases, but the fruit is very backward. It will be, advisable to thin thq foliage to somer extent to allow the sun to get to the fruit as much ; as possible. . The. plants must not be denuded of leaves entire-, ly, however, in some cases it will be sufficient ip remove only part of the larger leayesj: tyitX'so much. moisture,) blight is 'Very liable tovweur unless: the plants are regularly, sprayed with bordeaux;mixture; ?It i& advisable^ to add arsenate' of load to the Bordeaux, to keep■.-.'. the fruit. free; from : caterpillars which."dovso much1 damage.' 'yl-. As onions mature:and the ,tops:!commence 'to-change ' colour,: the 'bulbs should be.pulled up and laid on top of the ground to dry. .Turn them over once or twice to ensure them being well dried all round, then spread them out on a floor or bench- in a dry airy shed. They may also be stored in net bags hung up to'the rafters, or be strung in ropes 'on strings. ••;. The great thing is to store them; bo that the air can get at them as they are liable to heat and decay if placed in heaps. V;;;;: ■■•'v. V9?&?9 v*o^- >^'.^'::v:•As soon as the tops commence to turn yellow potatoes" should be "lifted and stored. If allowed to remain in the ground fresh growth is liable to occur and this ruins the tubers. When lifting care should be taken that all the small" tubors are removed, ras "although: they may not Be of any-value they become a source of trouble and annoyance if allowed to remain in the ground. It is best to burn the haulms as by this means any disease which may be present will be> destroyed. As soon as the crop is lifted' tho; ground^ may be given a good dressing of lime and be

dug over. It may then be left in a rough . state-. for - the ...winter rains to swaeten 'or.--.be '•sown- down' with- a crop of lupin or other quick-growing green crop for digging in. CABBAGES, ETC. The weather is very favourable for planting cabbages, cauliflowers, savoys, broccoli, etc. In some districts these crops become badly infected with fly | during hot weather. To check this pest apray with a solution of bitter aloesj.a good .teaspoonful to two gallpns of water. It is a good plan to give;;.the ground a good watering tho night before planting or failing that to puddle the plants in. The latter" is done by placing the plant in the hole and filling the hole with water afterwards replacing the dry -soil which forms a 'mulch and- prevents undue evaporation. : MADONNA LILIES. Many failures with the Madonna lily —Lilium candidum—are due to transplanting the bulbs at the wrong time. If this, lily is thriving, leave the clumps alone, unless an increase is desired, when sufficient for thd purpose should be lifted now, as this is the best month to transplant. This lily does best in a light, well-drained soil. Plants that show traces of disease should be lifted, the 'bulbs thoroughly dusted with sulphur, and be replanted in another part of the garden.