WOOD ASHES IN THE GARDEN. (Field).

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1199, 4 March 1880, Page 3

WOOD ASHES IN THE GARDEN. (Field).

Durixo the past year we have had ample means of testing the value of wood ashes oi charred earth, both as a means of warding off the attacks of slugs and other garden pests from tender vegetable or salad crops, and as a means ot enriching the soil, and consequently accelerating growth. I believe that the old remedy, tresh slack lime, if used in excess, is positively injurious to some croj^s, and after it has lain on the damp soil a hhort period it loses its burning character, and then slugs pass over it with impunity. We have therefore been compelled to use ashes of every kind, but more especially those from wood h'res ; and now "\\e convert every kind of garden rubbish into ashes. At this bea&on of the year, when the thinnings of shrubberies is generally receiving attention, any and every kind of trimmings may be converted into valuable ashes, as, when once a good bonfire is kindled and a glowing i*ed heat obtained —no matter how green the wood and leaves may be —the fire will burn away as fiercely as the driest btraw stack, if kept constantly fed with fresh material until the whole is consumed ; and there is no more certain way of getting rid of noxious weeds such as couch grass, bindweed, docks, &c, than that of passing them through the tire, as it destroys all seeds that generally abound in rubbish heaps that are rotted away by the slow process of fermentation. To get the full benefit of all their good qualities, the ahheb should be kept quite dry by removing them, as soon as they are cold, to a shed, there to remain under cover until required for use. Ashes are invaluable mixed with soot, coal ashes, and lime, for dusting over any kind of seedlings or freshly planted garden crops, especially of the Brassiea tribe, while turnip crops are especially benefited by such a mixture; in fact, the only limit to the many uses to which ashes may be put, is the power of procuring them in sufficient quantities. We find them to be the best and safest of manures for mixing with new vine borders, also with the potting soil for many exotic plants. If many of thu eQ'tfa,)le<l artificial manures were composed exclusively of pine woqd ashes purchasers would lui\e le-s cause to complain than they frequently now have : for, in the open quarteis dr-vobocl to veg-itablo eulturc,theiaputs w|ierci|reh(japshave been kindled arc ahyay* indicated by tho luxuriance of KiKjcyt'dcd u'<jp>. We may not t?< t

another such exceptional season for slugs for some tima, but I strougly advise all glowers of vegetables to have a good supply of ashes in readiness for the next seed tune, and to apply them liberally to all crops directly they are planted or coming through the soil, as nothing looks worse in a kitchen garden than irregularities in drillo, and if not required for that purpose they will repay the labour by promoting a healthy and luxuriant growth. They enrich poor soil Band render heavy and retentive ones friable, and they may ba applied without fear of injury to the most delicate of crops. Under glass we find they are extremely useful for dusting cauliflowers and lettuce plants, and fcr mixing with the soil for forced potatoes, and such early vegitables as are usually forwarded before their ordinary season out of doors.