Ladies' Column.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 5 June 1914, Page 2

Ladies' Column.

BROAD BEANS. , The broad bean is very subject to attacks of black fly, and the remedy is an extremely simple one. Cut away the infested shoots and burn them. The insects always begin with the tops of the plants, so if these are removed early, no harm will be done to the maturing crop. The removal of the shoots naturally throws more sap into the pods, and thus assists their swelling. Where the pods also seem likely to suffer from the fly, water the rows generously, which will help the plants to resist attack. . ; BROCCOLIS AND CAULI- | FLOWERS. One of the points of the cauliflower or broccoli is that the "flower" shall be really white, and not of a dirty yellow hue. Heads that are clean, as well as compact, are assuredly the more attractive, besides having a higher marketable value. To prevent this discoloration of the flower heads through the hot summer sunshine, one or two of the largest leaves of each plant should be broken off and laid thereon. Do not protect the hearts for more than a few days before cutting. PEAS. ' A suggestion for making a row of plants blossom and pod at as early a date as possible la to pinch out the tips of the shoots directly a few flowers buds are in being. Stopping the stems throws the plants' energy into the existing buds, inducing these buds to open more quickly and strongly. The consequence is that an earlier picking is secured. Furthermore, the plants develop a branching habit. To prolong the season of flower and podding with green peas, the rows must be cut frequently, and while the pods are quite young. To keep a^Jine of peas in bearing for many weeks, the soil will have to be moist at all times, and the plants occasionally fed with liquid or solid fertiliser. When one of the taller varieties is grown, and the row is beginning to look exhausted, a fresh lease of life maj^ be given through cutting back the haulms by a third and feeding. Laterals would be produced that would bloom and fruit in due course.