The Garden.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 29 December 1891, Page 3

The Garden.

■ ♦ A. contributor to the Garden remarks thet in many gardens the watering is performed very indifter- . ently, and in some instances the crops will be a deal better without such applications. For instance, the drily dribblets often given are perfectly useless ; these, besides drawing the roots to the surface, so harden the soil that the crops quickly become soil-bound. The daily applications of water also lower the temperature of the ground considerably, and many people are at a loss to understand why their crops are almost at a standstill, although they may be sprinkled with water daily. In soil that has previously been well worked, mulching is the best conserver of moisture, and although it may be necessary to apply water occasionally, this need only be at weekly intervals and the orops would be greatly benefited. Upon the approach of a dry time and where the materials are at command, the mulching should be put on as early as possible in order to conserve the moisture is the soiL Amongst the crops which are ' greatly benefited by mulching, Peas take the first place, the material being placed along each side of the row to the width of 2 feet. Runner and French Beans must also receive their due share, although the latter will withstand a tolerable anaount of drought where growing on ..Tvjjnl worked soils, mulching and if the weather should be at all • dry, the Peas would still be greatly benefitted by weekly applications of water, a thorough soaking being given at each application. Following on the watering, liquid manure k or diluted sewage would be of marked benefit, for when applied at the time, the soil on account of its moist condition takes in the liquid more freely. If mid-season and later crops of Peas are sown in trenches this water . goes direct to the roots, iOn heavy soils the haulm does nrifc suffer so'

quickly, but where the soil is light or of a gravelly description, and if a dry time should ensue, heavy watering, both of clear water and liquid manure, are necessary, the crop holding out much longer, the quality also being much more longer, the quality also being much more satisfactory with the needful assistance.