GARDEN NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 12, 4 June 1920, Page 14

GARDEN NOTES.

MANURES FOR CABBAGE. To grow cabbages well, plenty of manure should be used. There is no manure to which this crop responds so well as animal. For heavy lands horse manure, and for light soils cow or pig are respectively the b,est when they can be obtained. If the soil is of a poor quality, dig the ground two spits deep and put a good layer of manure between the two spits. This is especially necessary in the case of autumn or summer crops, which have to stand a dry spell. • Spring cabbage: — that is those that ara planted in the autumn for use in the spring — do well if planted on ground that has been well" worked and manured previously for peas or onions, and on such ground cabbages can be .planted without any fresh manure being added. Of other manures lime is an important factor in successful cabbage culture; it is chemically and m&chanically beneficial to the soil, and the cabbage tuber. It should be applied at the rate of about 21bs to the square yard, and is particu-

larly necessaiy to heavy soils and those rich in liumus. Superphosphate at the rate of 2oz to the square yard is good, but should not be applied at the same timo as lime or to soils that are infected with club root. When the crop is nicely cstablished, apply one ounce of sulphate of ammonia to heavy damp land, or on© ounce of nitrate of soda per square yard in th'e case of light or sandy soil. Nitrate of soda is a splendid fertiliser for the cabbage family. When especially fine j heads are required, water the plants once or twice during the growing season with the fpllowing mlxture : One ounce of iron sulphate and two ounces of sulphate of ammonia dissolved in one gallon of water. SAGE. This useful herb has a bad habit of dying when the plant is a year or so old. The best means of overcoming the difficulty is hy raising a few young - plants yearly from seed sown during this month, or by cuttings or layeiing. Plants raised from seed vary .greatly, and the majority flower themselves almost to death,- and as it is the leaves and not the flowers that are_ required, this is detrimental. The best variety to . grow is what is known as "seedless" or "nonfiowering. " It has large foliage and sfeldom or ever blooms. Sow the seed in drills on a surmy border, and if put in thinly the plants can grow on without moving. Cuttings can be made from the young growths pulled off with a hcel and inserted in a well drained position. Water and shade till rooted, but onoe rooted give full sun. Layering can be done by simply pulling down a branch a,nd covering with soil. The usuai commercial method is to put a spadeful of soil in the centre of the plant. In a few weeks the plant is lifted and can be divided into several rooted plants. Sage requires a well drained, rather hot and dry position to attain the full aroma in the foliage. THE BEST WAY OF PLANTING WINTER GREENS. Those who have grown their own plants should give them a good soaking of water overnight, and lift with a fork. Do not 'pull the plants out by main force and spoil ail the roots. Those who buy plants should put the roots in water- for a few hours before planting. In planting, the best way is to make the hole with the dibbev, and put the plant in. Do not make the soil firm with the dibber ; instead, a much better plan is to wash the soil iuto the hole, using a v/ater can. without the rose. This settles the .soil round the roots, and ako ensures Tho soil being moist. If the soil is pressed in with a dibber, as it often is, and watered aft-erwards, the plants do not get moist all round, but only on one side. As soon as the plants are watered in a flower pot should be placed over each, and not be re moved for tliree days. This will keep the moisture in, and stop the plant from drooping.