Farm Notes for December.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2713, 30 November 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

Farm Notes for December.

TußN'irs. — Continue, sowing, choosing showery weather. Warmth and moisture are tin; chief elements of rapid growth, and »i'c the most favourable conditions of liny for successful turnip cultuic, particularly in their early staire. All lands intended for fallow should be turned over as mpidly as possible, and sown down with turnips or wit)* turnips and rape (if not thoroughly exhausted). Any tirno up to the end of December will bo timo enough for sowing, always taking advantage of showery weather for .sowing tho sued; a little stimulant sown with the seed will ensure a food braird, from I. 1 , to 2(;\vt. of superphosphate per acre. "TußXii , Thinning.— Tho early sown crop will probably require a certain amount of thinning , , which may be partially on'ected by passing , tbe harrows over them at a brisk pace. Whether in drills oi' broadcast, they may bo thinued by pasninir a scufller with tines set for the purpose across tbe lino of tho drills.

Mangels will bo ready for thinning when tho bulbs have grown to the size of medium nixe radisliea, it is a mistake to single them sooner. Mangels may bo transplanted if taken up carefully, to fill up blank spots : showery weather should be chosen for this work ; wo do not however, iidvocato transplanting mansrels, •'ind would prefer milking up blanks by sowing Aberdeen turnips.

Haymaking will commence this month with tho artificial grasses. The proper time is when the ryegrass and clover aro just in flower, unless where the seed is to be saved, in which case it will require to be left a fortnight or so longer to ripen tho seed. The proper saving of hay consists in oxpelliny, by evaporation, all the watery particles, and ah tho eainn time, to preserve and uonceritrnto the saccharine matter contained in the plant, The artiiicinl drying of hay by means of the " Neilson system" has created considerable agitation lately (in Britain), but the real value of the system has not ae yet been satisfactorily proved. When snmeiently dried, if the bay it carried to the bayyard and ricked without tramping, it would add much to its nutritious qualities, and save considerable expenne and waste ; but to effect this it will bt necessary to be provided with a Rood rick cover and the necessary apparatus foi

axtendinj* and elevating the canvas sufficiently high to allow the free escape of any moisture arising from the slight fermentation that must necessarily ensue from even the best saved hay. Nothing can be worse than tho rick cover thrown over unci lying flat on the rick ; for, of necessity, the steam must be condensed on the under side of the 'cloth, and returned back in streams into the hay ; and if the weather should become wot, the damage done will be incalculable. A much better, and in the end cheaper plan, in to ereut permanent hay burns of timber, open at tiie nidcs and ends, but closely covered at top with iron or asphalted paper. Into this tho new hay may be carried and ricked, as it can be got ready, whore it will be snfo from all risk, and by bringing it in and storing it thus gradually there will be no faar from undue fermentation. There is nothing deteriorates hay so much as the usual practice in this country of leaviug it out for weeks in tho paddocks. Harvestisu. — Active preparations should now be made for the coming , harvest. See to the reaper and binder machines, that all the parts arc in thorough working order, and provide a

full supply of twine in readiness ; prepare bottoms for stacks which are to stand through the winter, where there are no rejrular oorn stands. •' Sliall fields bo tilled with ;innual care, And minds lie fall r> w ev'ry year? O, siiici; till crop depends on you. Seek though tin:culture wliicli is due. "—Cotton. —N.Z. Couutry Journal. Garden Notes for December.

KiTCitKN Gardex.—The moment a plot or portion of ground becomes vacant, manure and dig it forthwith for a succession crop. Attend to thinning and keeping free of weeds young , seed crops. Fork lightly and often between cabbage or other crops in lines or drills. Sow broad Windsor beans for a late crop ; kidney beans, peas, cabbages, lettuces, radishes, spinach, in., in succession, tsalading every ten days or so, and turnips and beet for late crops. Plant artichoke suckers. Plant out cabbages for succession, cauliflowers for :i full crop, early celery in trenches, onions on rich prepared ground, oarly varieties of potato for late crops. Protect and shade tomatoes or other plants turned out from pots and frames, uutil they are well established aud rooting freely. Water seed buds iu dry weather, aud, if needed, dust with soot, salt, or lime to destroy insects. Ridge out pickling cucumber Turn the plants out carefully, and plant about three feet apart,immediately cover with hand-glasses, and slightly shade for a few days until the plants are established. Gourds and vegetable marrows may also be planted out. In respect of the last named, hand-glasses may be dispensed with, but shading for a few days after planting will bo necessary. Put out capsicum and tomato plants to south walls, with some fine rich compost for their roots to revel iu, and do not neglect to nail them in at once, to prevent them from being blown out, and shade for a few days till they are fully established.

All kinds of garden refuse should be collected together in an out-of-the-way corner to form a compost heap for manuring the crops of next season, It is surprising what a large amount of valuable manure is annually wasted in the colonial gardens. Such stuff as the sweepings of lawns, waste straw, old tan, sawdust, decaying vegetables, and indeed almost all substances liable to decay are capable of being converted into a valuable manure. This compost heap should be turned over once or twice before winter in order to equalise its condition. Thin all the crops as they advance. Keep the lioo going in all compartments of tho garden. Stake all crops as they require it. Destroy all insects as far as practicable, as they are more injurious now than at any other season.

December is always a, gay month in tho flower garden. The leading ornament of the colonial garden, the rose, should now be in full bloom, and should receive tho careful attention it so well merits. Now is the time to look over the largo collections of the nurserymen, and give orders for any kinds you may wish to add to your own collection. Tho principal point in the rose culture this month, is to see that they do not suffer from drought, aud to keep a tr°°cl look out for mildew (oidiiim), which rmiy bo killed by dusting with froob. flour of sulphur.—New Zealand (Juuutrv Journal.