SEASONABLE WORK

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 23

SEASONABLE WORK

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Ono of the most valuable vegetables for culinary purposes is the carrot. This is a vegetable that we may have for table purposes all the year round, if a wise selection is made in the varieties—Early Horn or Chantenay for the first sowing, followed by Early Krop, and for main crop improved St. Valery. The last named is an intermediate carrot, between half-long and long, giving splendid roots from IQin to 12in in length. The crown is about Sin, tapering evenly away to a very fine tap root. The flesh is a very rich reddish orange, tender, and with very little core. Those who have shallow soils should always sow an intermediate variety, as a long carrot can never mature and is always thin and spindly—in fact, a great deal of the carrot is useless for table consumption. 1 have been asked more than once what is the difference between an intermediate carrot and a long variety. There is a considerable difference. The intermediate, when true and grown in suitable soil, has a wide crown and tapers evenly away to a fine tap root, whereas the long carrot has, when true to name, a smaller crown and tapers away into a long, stringy root about 6in to Tin, and is useless for table use. Of course, only those who have had experience in growing vegetables in different parts of the world would know that the character of vegetables, as with other plants, is altered owing to climatic conditions, and especially when the soil does not contain the suitable foods for that particular vegetable. I have noticed here a great difference in many of the vegetables as to form and flavour compared with the same varieties grown in England. This has been brought about by the soil conditions and cultivation.

The most suitable soil for carrot growing is land which has had a good supply of animal manure dug in the previous season, or a turfy piece of land which lias been well dug. Carrots love a good, deep, rich loam or sandy soil. Fresh stable manure should not be worked in at this season of the year, or else the roots will become forked and misshapen. In sowing, if a little artificial manure is sown in the drills this will help the young seedlings to come away quickly. Carrots must never bo checked in any way when growing, or else the root becomes tough instead of being sweet and tender. The drills should not be taken out more than one inch in depth, and on no account sow when the soil is very wet, or germination will not be successful. The rows should be not less than Din apart—more if you have the room. When the young seedlings can bo handled thin out the early varieties about Sin apart and the main crop from 4in to Gin. At all times keep the surface open between the rows by the constant use of the hoc. THE FLOWER GARDEN Continue to pot on chrysanthemums when they require it, also the planting out in borders for autumn and winter cutting should be done now. Where the plants are running away into strong growth the tips should be taken out, and where plants are being put out for this work a good supply of well-rotted manure should be dug in, as the chrysanthemums are gross feeders. When weather permits most of the annuals can he planted out, but only hardened plants should be planted. It is waste of time and money to plant out these plants before they have been thoroughly hardened off. A little artificial manure forked in before planting will be beneficial. THE VINERY Vines are now breaking, and plenty of ventilation must be given when the days are warm, but the ventilators should be closed by night, as the temperatures are still very low. Watering must be attended to, but _ only chilled water must be used. This applies only to vines planted inside. THE SPRING SHOW On October 7 and 8 the Dunedin Horticultural Society will be holding the spring show. This show is always a popular one owing to the great dispay of colouring which the spring flowering bulbs give us. From a horticultural point of view it is not a show

where a great deal of experience is exercised in producing the best results. As everyone is aware, money plays a big part in staging the newer varieties of daffodils, and as this popular spring bulb is so easily grown it is not a matter of skill in producing the large Howers that we see to-day. The greatest trouble with some growers is to keep their bulbs free from disease. But daffodils, like many other things, are not so expensive as they used to be. The best can now be bought very reasonably, and there is no need to pay fancy prices. The following is a list of the newer varieties and the current rates for them: —Brighter London, 20s each; Cigale, 2s each; Fingal, 3s each; Advance Guard, 3s each; Forerunner, 4s each; Fortune, 19s 6d each; Golden Goblet, 9s per dozen; Golden Glory, 40s each; Golden Harvest, 2s 6d each; Killigrew, 8s each; Tregoose, 7s 6d each; Beersheba, 3s 6d each; and Rio Rita, 35s each. There is no need to go to Holland as in the past, as the English growers have now captured the world’s market for bulbs. Another section at the spring show which is generally a feature is the decorative and floral work. This is a section‘which often brings out the artistic skill of the exhibitor, and one may gather many ideas _ when inspecting this work which may become useful in decorating the home. Seeing that at this season of the year there is such a variety of colour in the spring flowers there is no need to use flowers which are out of season for the decorative work. To be in keeping with the spring show spring flowers should be used. It is also at this show that beautiful flowers such as pansies, violas, and polyanthus are staged in large numbers. I do not think there are finer specimens of polyanthus primrose shown in the Dominion than at the Dunedin show. The climatic conditions are ideal for these plants in this district ‘ F.S.P.