USEFUL HINTS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 354, 15 October 1932, Page 3

USEFUL HINTS

KEEP THE GROUND OPEN AND ALWAYS MOIST. QUESTION OF WATERING. Hoses and watering-cans were called into operation in many gardens lately, and during the next few months the question of watering will be a very important one to most-of us. Although the watering of a garden is often regarded as a suitable task for a child, it is anything but that. Like 'most garden activities, the efficiency •of this simple operation can be greatly increased by bringing a little intelligent thought to hear on it. The usual method of . watering is to turn the hose on to the garden, or go from plant to plant with a can, the sole aim of the amateur being to give the ground "a good soaking." The idea is quite good so far as it goes, but unfortunately it doesn't go very far. The ground is usually caked hard on the surface at this time of the year, and in consequence much of the water does not penetrate the garden soil, but runs away like the proverbial water on a duck's back. The little that does penetrate is promptly attracted to the surface by the sun's rays and is dissipated into the air. The conservation of moisture in th'e soil depends more on the hoe than the hose. Before attempting to water, go over 'the garden with your hoe, breaking the crust and disturbing the soil to a depth of two or three inches. Then use your hose or can, and you will notice that the water is greedily soaked up by the parched earth. But even that is not enough. Assuming that you water your garden in late afternoon or evening, the following morning's sun will undo much of your work by absorbing the moisture again. You can defeat the sun's aims to a very large extent if, after the water has soaked away from the surface, you lightly hoe the ground again. This action forms a dust mulch which helps to checlr capillary attra'ction, and enables the soil to retain the moisture for a much longer period than would otherwise be the case. The frequent use of the hoe does not mean that you need only use half as much water at a time, but it does ensure that the water you do use will be.effective fully twice as long.