FARM AND GARDEN

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 84, 8 December 1914, Page 2

FARM AND GARDEN

THE VEGETABLE GAKDEN.

The fine rains have restored normal conditions of work in the garden, and the adventitious aids of watering and mulching will be less necessary, though a continuous use of the hoe must not bo neglected. Weeds will now grow apace, and should be destroyed while small. The soil is in good condition for transplanting operations, so that cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli plants can lie put out under favourable conditions. It is best to plant in .shallow drills, as the soil remains moist longer about the roots, and it also serves as I a protection from winds. The large type of cabbage, like Enfold Market, is now almost out of date. The quicker maturing sorts like Harbinger, and Favourite, which can be planted much more closely, are more economical while their flavour is milder and the texture of the leaf more tender. This is equally true of cauliflowers, those varieties that form a medium-sized, close head are usually of liner quality. Broccoli are much strouger growing plants that occupy the ground for a much longer period, especially the later sorts, and ample room must be given for their development. In rich ground three feet between the rows and two feet between the plants is not excessive. Where the soil is only of moderate quality they can be planted much closer.

With cabbage and cauliflower a quick growth from start to finish is desirable, so that the soil need not be made so firm as it should be for broccoli, which will have to contend with much more severe weather conditions before the crop comes to maturity, so that it is essential that the stems and leaves of the plant should be solid and firm. Where the aspect of the garden is sunny and hot, the sowing of spinach, turnips, and radish will not be very satisfactory. Should hot weather prevail during tbe summer months, the coolest part of the garden should be chosen for these crops. Lettuce must have an open position or the plants will fail to form good hearts. Plenty of humus in the soil is a necessity, with a plentiful supply of moisture, in order to grow tender, well-hearted lettuce during hot weather. The earliest celery plants should now be fit for planting out in the trenches. When transplanting, care should be taken to conserve all the roots possible, as any check received will affect the quality of the produce. A good watering that stops short of making the ground sodden should be given when planting is completed. Tomato plants should be (where trained to stakes or fence! tied up as growth proceeds, and the laterals rubbed off at an early stage. The leading growth should not be stopped until such time as there are sufficient trusess showing (about four to five) to ensure a complete crop. Exhausted crops should be removed from the ground as soon as their usefulness has passed. Spinach, turnips, and lettuce running to seed are not only eyesores, but they take more out of the soil than the useful portion has done. French beans should bo sown for cu*cession, ami another sowing of runner beans si .' .Id be mado.