THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Shannon News, 17 August 1923, Page 3

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

Plant, potatoes in a well drained, sheltered position. Plant rhubarb -as soon as possible. Cabbages -and cauliflowers should be planted. Dig any vacant weedy plots. Prepare ground for parsnips and other tap rooted crops. Sow lettuce and radish. An early sowing of beetroot and carrots can be made.

Bjx potatoes" prior to planting. CHANGE OF TYPE OR VARIETY,

The great tendency amongst amateur gardeners, especially in the growing of vegetables, is. to confine themselves to a certain type or variety of vegetable year after year. Not only is a rotation of crops .essential, but a", change of variety often is advisable also. The same variety of pea or turnip is grown every year, whereas if William Hurst, Stratagem or English Wonder were tried instead of Yorkshire Hero, and Orange Jelly Turnip or Swede instead of White Stone it might be found that the soil suits them better and superior crops he produced. Carrots, parsnips, beet, beans, cabbage l , cauliflowers, etc., all are sold in numerous .'-varieties, some superior to others, certainly, but * may be found that what is the best under some conditions is not at all suitable to yours. It is 'always a good scheme to- plant two or more varieties side by side and pick out the one that succeeds the best under vour particular soil conditions, an which appeals to the taste most. Having found out which is the best, then confine attention to the cultivation of that variety in particular. ROTATION CROPS.

This is a phase of gardening it is hard to get many amateur gardeners to realise or understand. Many complaints are heard of poor crops every year, how potatoes were diseased, how the cauliflowers were no good, how they had blackleg, and this can only be expected if the growing of the same crops year alter year in the same ground is persisted in. No trouble would be experienced if the crops were rotated; that is to say, if the position of the crops is changed every year, so that the same crop is never grown on the same site two years running. Where, salads are brown one vear potatoes or tea ns or prns should'be grown the next, and so on. By doing this practically id' risk of the crops becoming diseased and weak is obviated. A good system of rotation' is. first, plot, roots; second plot, salads; third plot, potatoes; fourth plot, peas, beans, etc. By changing these around eiach year, a four-rotation plan at any rate is adopted, and this may be further extended- Intercropping between the plots may also he practised.