A MODERM VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2387, 31 December 1908, Page 2

A MODERM VEGETABLE GARDEN.

A TOWN ALLOTMENT WHERE - WEEDS DO NOT GROW.

(By our Special Reporter.)

Did you ever sec a garden free from weeds P To tlie average amateur gardener whoso spare time at this season of the .year is occupied in '■constant warfare against the weeds that thrive luxuriantly in every corner such a suggestion seems ridiculous. Nevertheless, there is in the Ormond Road a little property wherein flowers and vegetables are grown, where -everything is . scrupulously clean and orderly, and upon which no sign of the übiquitous weed is to be discovered. Hearing of Mr. Ling’s reputation in this respect X decided, that here was. good “copy” for the “Gisborne Times’” readers, for few, there are who do not make some attempt, more or less successful, at raising vegetables.

Gardening for profit is a. subject that has long occupied the attention of different persons at different times, and many and various have been the opinions of those interested as to the practicability or otherwise of the undertaking. The general impression appears to be that “there is not a great deal in it,” but, on the other hand, there are those who affirm that, with experience, which all consider essential, and a proper system, a failliving may be obtained from a com-, paratively small area. What is still more important, however, is the natural desire tall householders have to be able to pick up their vegetables (from their own gardens. Green peas, lettuce, cabbage and 1 most of the vegetable tribe lose a good deal of their flavor by being exposed in shops or carts, so that besides the saving to the family purse there .are epicurean reasons why each household should have its own plot of vegetables. But. the amateur gardener has many trials as the result of his inexperience, and many of these- can be avoided by a study of the methods of Mr. and Mrs. Ling, whose two pairs of hands are entirely responsible for the remarkable objectlesson in vegetable growing that is to be seen on their property. Mr. Ling’s garden is situated on the Ormond Road, just inside the Borough boundary, and to any person interested in gardening the time occupied by .a visit would undoubtedly be time well sp cut. Viewed from the road the property immediately catches the eye, with its symmetrically trimmed hedge and blaze of flowers around the house, but it is not until the visitor gets inside and ■indulges in a walk around that lie realises what really ca.n bo done in the way of intense cultivation. 4 The property contains three-quart-ers of an acre and eleven perches, and there is a comfortable residence with a largo room behind for storing purposes. There is also a large reservoir containing 4UOO gallons and a fine well, containing three springs which in the driest seasons remain flowing freely. A large fowlhouse and' run occupy a portion of the ground along the hack of the boundary, and when all these buildings, together with a number of paths between the various beds, are taken into consideration there is just about half an acre left for cultivation. ! Out of this area, so perfect is liis system of working, Mr. Ling has an annual turnoyer of just about £125. This amount, of course, varies, and in exceptionally good seasons has been considerably larger, -but tbe amount quoted is a fair average for a number of years. The garden itself is divided into two sections and is indeed a revelation, with its many different beds or rich chocolate soil, as level as a billiard table, and devoid of even a. sem-" blance of a weed. “Twenty-five years .ago this was titree scrub,” said. Air. Ling to the reporter, and the statement was a further tribute to the excellent management and thorough knowledge of the work possessed by both the proprietor and Airs. Ling, to whom Mr. Ling- affirms more than a great deal of their success is due.

Although the visit to the garden was made a shade late in the sea-), son," every conceivable variety of. vegetable is to be seen, and all thriving remarkable well. Mr. Ling make a particular study' of raising' plants for market and has been for many years recognised as the leading nurseryman in this direction. At present one may. see plants in all stages, from the tiny seedling just appearing above the ground, and the sturdier plant of a little longer growth, to the-full-grown .article inviting consumption. As rapidly .as one lot is finished with their bed is required for something else, and although every available inch of space is utilised there is no .appearance of overcrowding., In cabbages and cauliflowers Mr. Lang is considered to be an expert and he has some splendid specimens of many different varieties. . Had there .been a little, more rain last month it would have been a splendid season, but even as itis the samples shown to the newspaper ma.ii were of exceptional merit. Particular attention was--directed to a fine, healthy variety of cabbage called the “St. John’s Day,” which is a typical plant, growing low on the ground, .and which is said to he the least liable to tlie dreaded ravages of that scourge to gardeners, the cabbage fly. This pest has already made his appearance in the locality and is beginning to make his presence felt, and to leave evidences of his unwelcome attention on the

broad leaves. It is a tiny motli-like insect, and usually makes its debut about the New Year, remaining at its work of destruction until driven away by the early frosts which herald the approach of winter. A curious ■and unwelconio fact .about this scourge is, that as yet, there has not been discovered any preparation to successfully abolish it. When in Wellington some time ago Air. Ling made enquiries from the * Department of Agriculture but so far the authorities there have been unable, to suggest any effective remedy. He himself has tried many means as it is a serious pest and practically means that no cabbage can be grown .after the New' Year except at considerable risk of losing the crop altogether. Of these remedies, or so-called remedies, Air. Ling found that none of them were of any use, except a very aught preparation with bluegum reaves as the principal ingredient. The methods oi preparation is to obtain the leaves, and after boiling them ior some hours strain them ana further dilute the liquid with water. The cabbages- are then sprayed with tlie solution, with very good effect. Apait from the everlasting slugs ana snails this fly is about the only pest which attacks these vegetables, so that if an effectual means of combatting the scourge could be discovered tne, gardenei would be freed from a considerable amount of anxiety on that score. As well as the two classes oi vegetable mentioned - there are also to be seen celery, onions, leeks, broccoli, savoys, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc., in different stages of their existence. Reas, of whicn Air. Ling bad a great variety and an abundant supply', aie just cut, while the next .articles to come m will be cucumbers and tomatoes. Vegetable marrows, melons and pumpkins are also in evidence, but owing to the room required) by these varieties Mr. Ling does not go m for them to such an extent as most of the other masses of vegetable. In addition to the raising of all these vegetables Air. Ling also finds time to go in for fruit growing although necessarily on a rathei small scale.' Oranges, lemons, apples, pears, peaches, quinces, etc., tire ah •represented, and m a flourishing condition, giving promise of an abundant crop. One tree of apricots is particularly noticeable, the branches being literally laden with the luscious fruit, and in order to prevent them breaking under the heavy weight they have had to bo propped up m half a dozen places by substantial poles. Currants and gooseberries do not thrive well in Gisborne and after experiments Mr. Ling discontinued has attempts to grow them. A delightful speciality, growing in profusion on a sub-dividing wire netting fence, ris a Logan berry. This is a comparatively' rare fruit and is a sort ot cross between the raspberry .and tlie blackberry. It grows to a larger size than either of ihese fruits and has a unique flavor with a distinct taste of each. More fortunate than many orcliardists, Air. Ling’s trees are comparatively free from the different forms of pest, but nevertheless there are traces of two of the most formidable varieties, the dreaded codiin moth, and the leech. The former attacks the fruit, and the latter coniines its attenion principally to the leaf. Stringent precautions and occasionally very severe methods are ■are adopted by' the Department to ■prevent the spread of this pest, and even while the reporter was looking around the garden, a Government Inspector paid one of his periodical visits, and carefully scutinised each tree and almost every leaf for traces of the tiny devastators. The existing regulations compel any orchardist to take steps for the eradication of the pest and if the applied remedies fail 1 there is nothing left but to resort to the extreme remedy of cutting down the tree. In this connection it may be interesting to many to know that bv .a recent decision of the court one is liable to be termed “orchardist” even if he be only the possessor of a solitary fruit tree in his back garden. In compliance with the regulations, ' and incidentally for his own profit • Air. Ling has been constantly sprayr in'c his trees ‘ for many weeks past, with the result that in comparison with other growers his trees arc practically free from pests. The solution which he finds to be most effective is one of arsenate of lead, in the proportion of l£lb to 50 gallons ol water. , After twenty-five years oi solid toil, during which time they have employed practically no labor, Mi. and Airs. Ling have brought tlieir garden to a state of perfection s-qjcli as is rarely witnessed'. They are both keenly interested in the work and their property, as it stands at present, is a monument to the long years of ceaseless *aoid ‘Unremitting work, which has .been to them, as well as the means of livelihood, a labor of love-. Well on towards tlie ailoted span of life the old couple are beginning to feel the work too muc i for them .and. are at present endeavoring to dispose of their Property in order that the latter years oi their .lives may be passed m a period of, what will surely be, well-earned rest.