VEGETABLES FOR EXHIBITION.

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 17, 20 September 1928, Page 7

VEGETABLES FOR EXHIBITION.

* •Supplied by Special Committee Hutt Valley Horticultural Society. To grow vegetables for exhibition and to compete for prizes special conditions and superior skill is necessary to obtain the best results. The educative effect is great, and the person growing them becomes more interested on learning not -only the growing for exhibition, but the - nature of soils, values of manures, and all other factors that influence plant life. I will endeavour to give you a comjplete detail of every vegetable that is .suitable for exhibition and will do so in -alphabetical order, also giving you which I consider the best varieties of each kind. I think it is advisable to quote a few .hints relative to the preparation for the show table. Quality counts first —a good judge always takes into consideration the cook, as well as the vegetables he is judging, so a word of warning to intending exhibitors, do not attempt to show overgrown vegetables, except where scheduled as such. Never scrub any vegetable for show table, remove any dirt by jplaeing under running water and clean with a soft rag or chamois. Artichokes ( Jerusalem). —The tubers should be planted during September 18 inches apart and 3ft between the rows. They will grow well in any well prepared soil. They require little attention. The stalks should be cut down when ripe and they can be left in the ground until required for use. For exhibition the tubers should be of medium size, unbranehed, and clear skinned. Varieties. Sutton's White. Beetroot. —Sow the seeds about the end of September in holes made with a crowbar 2ft deep and 18 inches apart, filled with a good compost. Three seeds should be sown in the centre of the top of each hole and cover, with compost .about an inch deep. When about 2 inches high select £he best seedling, usually the one with tHe darkest coloured foliage is the best as this indicates the finer quality of root Should you consider that the roots are not growing satisfactorily do not manure the surface of the ground, that only encourages side roots, but make a hole at the side with a crowbar and give light applications of liquid manure, say once a fortnight, but be careful not to overdo it otherwise you will get coarse.roots. Varieties. Crimson Globe, Long Eed, and Ryder's Oval. Beans (Runner). —Make a trench 16 inches deep, break up the soil at bottom of trench, cover with about 4 to 6 inches deep with well decayed manure then cover manure with good soil incorporated with a moderate quantity of bonedust. The time of sowing should be chosen so as to have pods in good condition at the time of show. About four months is the time for the development of the crops. Sow in double or single rows lft apart; if in double rows lft between the rows, cover with 3 inches of good soil. Varieties. There are several good varieties, my iavourite being "Rajab." and "Czar." Beans (French and Butter).—The soil should be well cultivated and given a moderate dressing of superphosphate and sulphate of potash, which should be well incorporated with the soil before sowing. French and Butter Beans take from three to four months to come to maturity. The seed- should be sown two together 18 inches apart, 2ft between the rows, one plant being removed should both grow. Long crisp pods should be sought for exhibition. Varieties. Canadian Wonder, Stringless Green Pod. Cabbage. —This vegetable is of easy culture, the main trouble being to protect it from the ravages of cabbage aphis. The only true remedy is 3 teaspoonfuls of black leaf 40, and 1 teaspoonful of arsenate of lead to 4 gallons of water. This should be syringed upon the plants during the early evening and repeated as often as needed. Cabbage requires a plentiful supply of manure. Give a good dressing of a complete manure when planting which should not be less than 18 inches apart and 2ft Sin. between the rows. Give cabbages a plentiful supply

of nitrogen in the form of nitrate of soda loz to 4 gallons of water, but it should not be applied until the cabbages show signs of hearting. When showing for exhibition it should be cut intact and no leaves should be Temoved except those i which were damaged. These notes on cabbages apply also to Red Cabbage, Cauliflower and Broccoli, with the exception that Broccoli should be planted 2ft apart and 2ft 6in. between, rows. Varieties: Cabbage —Savoy, late Drumhead, Best of All. Cauliflower: Veitch's Autumn Giant. Broccoli: Adams' Early. ' (To be continued.)