Kitchen Garden.

Manawatu Herald, 31 January 1893, Page 3

Kitchen Garden.

The preparation of the beds for the autumn sown Onions should now be made by digging it deeply, employ, ing plenty of rich, partly-decayed manttitf. "Ii h vet faW early to sow the seed of Onions", duJ * here . ls much to be gained by having the ground got into good condition for its reCeption 1 ! The flat and globe Tripolis, including the larger varieties of these, as the Giant Rocca and the white Portugal and Lisbon, answer well for autumn sowing. By sowing a good breadth of autumn Onions, there is always a supply after the stored Onions are come to tin endj or if the summer crop should tail. . Celery requires much moisture, especially when grown on dry soil. A soaking of liquid manure, according to the richness or fertility of the soil Celery is growing in, may be given occasionally. All that is needed at present is to go carefully over the plants, remove any suckers Which may be showing, and gi\e a sprinkling of salt along each side of the row. The sides should theu be broken down, so as to get sufficient soil to form a surface dressing of an inch or thereabouts, this being just sufficient to encourage extra roots and also prevent the stems from spreading. Care must be taken in j adding the surface dressing that the soil does not work into the hearts. This surface dressing does not impede the watering, which must be carried on as freely as before or according to the condition of soil and weather. Light showers are often misleading, so during these times the soil should be examined to see whether the rains have reached the roots or not. Runner Beans will be found to be much benefited by mulching ior some distance on each side of the rows, and by first forking the soil, and«then giving a thorough soaking with manure water the crop will be much improved. Kidney Beans may also be similarly treated. Brocolis, Savoys and Cdleworfcs recently planted should have the ground well hoed and be supplied with water if necessary. Stop Tomatoes above each bunch of bloom and keep the shoots well thinned out. Herbs which are required fo' 1 winter use should now be cut and dried. If a wet time should ensue, particular care must be taken in the drying, for if at all wet, and stored away in this state, they quickly become mouldy. Instead of drying in the full sun, tie each kind up in a moderately small bundle and hang in an open shed. More Shallots are spoiled, perhaps through not pulling them sufficiently early than from any other cause, for directly they pass a certain stage of maturity, fresh roots are very quickly emitted. Especially is this so if a heavy fall of rain should take place. Directly growth has stopped they must be pulled, and as thorough ripening is very essential, they must be laid in the full, sun on a dry and hard bottom. — Press.