THE GARDEN.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 23, 20 March 1924, Page 4

THE GARDEN.

VEGETABLE CULTURE

[By William C. Hyde, in the ! . Journal of Agriculture.] Aftei the dry summer, winter crops ' : (cabbage, broccoli, celery, etc.) are | probably a little backward, and would j benefit from a second light dressing j ■ of nitrate of soda. Hoe between the rows on bright dry days to keep the ! weeds down. The celery must not be allowed to suffer from want of water. Allow the plants to make almost full growth before earthing up, and for this operation choose a fine day when the soil and plants are dry. Keep the . oil from the hearts of the plants, and do not pack the soil too tight. Harvest crops as they reach maturity. Cut pumpkins before the rind gets too hard, and allow them to remain for a few days where they grew; then store them in a dry airy place. Clean up and burn all litter as it accumulates. Some growers pull their tomato plants when finished and leave them on the sticks or strings to dry before they are gathered and burnt—a very good practice. Land that is not going to be cropped immediately is best sown down with a cover crop. White mustard, oats and vetches, or oats an:l horse beans are often used with gootl results: Glasshouses in which a tomato crop affected with rust or mildew has been grown should be well sprayed with a fungicide before sowing- down. Even the “ strings ” might well come under suspicion and receive attention. Give ample ventilation at this season. Sow turnips and spinach for winter iso, also lettuce and cabbage for lily spring cutting, and towards the md of March sow cauliflower seed.

SMALL FRUITS. Preparation of the land for new plantings should now be proceeded with; success depends on initial preparation more than on any other factor. Harrow, cross plough and subsoil, thus ensuring a deep clean tilth, incorporating also a generous application of manures. In the absence of the usual organic manures a good application of bonedust and potash will usually meet the case. If the surface is at all lumpy or uneven use a clod crusher; besides breaking the clods it will smooth the surface and facilitate planting. Where the intended crop is strawberries secure the plants as early as possible—probably towards the end of March—and plant them without delay, so as to get them well established before the winter. Plant ordinary varieties 12in to lGin apart, with 24in to 30in between the rows, planting them firmly. Carefully look over brakes of gooseberries, currants or raspberries; although the crop is gathered they require close attention so that the buds may set well for next year. Too often the foliage drops prematurely through disease, or from the same cause becomes shabby anti discoloured. Clean and well-coloured foliage is required up to the end of the season to set the buds well and ensure a satisfactory crop next year. Where rusts or anthracnose, borers or bud moth are troublesome one or two applications of bordeaux wiith arsenate of lead (summer strength) would be of great advantage. In the case of raspberries remove and burn the old canes first. FLOWERS AND LAWNS. Autumn rains falling on soil heated by the summer sun soon quicken growth in most kinds of vegetation. Lawns will require more frequent cutting to keep them short and of good colour; bare spots may be raked up and sown with seed and topdressed with fine soil. A thin turf will be much improved by a dressing of basic slag or other good fertiliser applied now. Where new lawns are ito be laid the surface should be graded to drain water away from the house. Rake the surface smooth and fine and make it firm by rolling. Another stroke of the rake will be required before broadcasting the seed, of which from 51b to 61b will be required for 200 square yards. A further stroke of the rake will complete the job. Seedling flowering plants raised from seeds sown last month will require to be thinned or pricked out into beds or boxes of rich soil, with a view to obtaining good strong plants for putting out into permanent quarters towards the end of March. That period is also a good time to make alterations in the herbaceous sections. Old clumps may be lifted, I trimmed back and broken up and replanted. Before planting give the land thorough preparation—manuring, and trenching* if possible. The arrangement and grouping of these plants affords opportunity for the exercise of taste. Rather large grouping* in the vicinity of shrubs and trees can be made very effective. Complete the planting* of spring flowering bulbs as soon as possible.