MANURING ASPARAGUS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22166, 20 July 1935, Page 8 (Supplement)

MANURING ASPARAGUS

PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL Tho asparagus plant is a cross fonder, and needs constant attention. 10ven when the beds were well prepared nfc planting time, the manure put at the bottom will soon become exhausted. Dressing of stable manure can be given after cleaning off the beds, when cutting ceases in December. Seaweed is a valuable mulch for asparagus, and if available should, be applied liberally. In addition to those, sprinklings of chemical fertilisers can be given in spring and summer. The perfect fertiliser for asparagus is a mixture of 2i cwt. of sulphate of ammonia, 2 cwt. of sulphate of potash, and from 4 cwt. to 5 cwt. of bonedust per acre. Blood manure, kainit, and muriate of potash are all useful for top dressing. Salt undoubtedly makes the produce more tasty, kills weeds without injuring the crop, and indirectly reduces to a readily-available condition, plant foods already in the soil. A dressing of salt one ounce to the square yard in early spring will be found to be an advantage.

if the fields or beds are well established and cared for, they may reasonably be expected to remain productive for many years. In the Dominion we are not very much troubled with the depredations of the asparagus beetle, which, in America, causes extensive damage by the larvae burrowing into and eating the stems, but asparagus rust is more frequent, attacking the growing stems, thus weakening the whole plant and retarding its growth. ,It is always a safe plan to burn the tops of the plants when cut down in autumn. This will effectually destroy fungus spores and any insects which may be lurking therein. Both lime sulphur and Bordeaux have been used in the control of rust, with good results. It has been found that some varieties are more resistant to rust than others. The " Palmetto " variety stands out as being an excellent rust-resistant, and the French variety " Argenteuil " is equally rust-proof. Asparagus canning is now a very important industry, and is established in many countries on a commercial basis. Considering how easily asparagus is grown once the beds are established, it is surprising that more of this excellent vegetable is not grown, as it probably requires less attention than many other popular vegetables. STERILISING SOIL When preparing soil for choice seeds or for any small seeds for that matter, it is a good plan to sterilise it. This destroys weed seeds, fungi and any injurious insects that may be lurking in the soil ready to take toll of the seedlings as they appear. There are several ways in which soil may be sterilised. For small quantities it will suffice to pour boiling water

over the soil, and cover with sacks to keep in the steam. Or an old oil drum with a false bottom above the real one may be used. Put about 3in. of water in the bottom, fill up with chopped soil and place on a fire. Boil till all the water has evaporated. NEW FRUIT IN ENGLAND Several varieties of fruits are under trial at the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Wisley. These include: Apple, " Maidstone Favourite," which is identical with " Beauty of Bath," except that it is later than that variety; apple, " Melba," a Canadian August dessert variety, not particularly attractive in appearance, but firm in texture and sweet; plum, " Laxton's Utility," a purple plum of considerable promise, the fruit being juicy and sweet. TO CORRESPONDENTS • " Garden Lover" (Mount Albert),—Will deal with your inquiry next week, with suggested ideas for planting. " Arboreal."—'Cut-tings of tecoma, barberry and escnllonia can be inserted any time from April until about August. The autumn, when tlio ground is still warm, is the best time, but it is not too late yet.. " Gordonton."—Tlio mixture for lawn Band is:—Sand, 121b.; sulphate of ammonia, 1 Jib.; and sulphate of iron. Jib. Apply at the rate of loz. a square yard in dry weather, when rain is not likely. If rain falls soon after the application, the sand will lie less effective than if dry weather prevails. The lawn sand may turn the grass hro.vn, Jut in a week or two it will recover nnd grow more vigorously. " Shade" (Devonport).—Shrubs and plants which will thrive in shady places are:— Shrubs: Butcher's broom, Mahonia aquifolium, Rhododendron ponticum, Acubu laponica. and Veronica radicans. Plants: Astilbe japonica, Anemone japonica, aconititm or monkshood, columbines, Arteniesia lactitlora. Campanula latifolia, doronicum, the plantain lily (Funkia Sieboldtii), perennial phlox and Solomon s seal. A.B.L. (Mangawai).—The tall bamboo in question makes a splendid shelter. It is necessary to start with small clumps. Once established, growth would bo fairly rapid in your soil and district. There are many varieties of bamboo, but the best of all for shelter is the giant. Some bamboos become a nuisance by suckering, but the variety aurea, while not as tall as the giant, makes n good dense shelter and does not sucker. Any nursery firm would supply you 'with quotations. " Asparagus" (Mangere).—l. The asparakus bed can be given n good dressing of blood and bone or fish manure at the present time, followed by nitrate of soda, loz. to the square yard, about the end of August or early September. 2. The nerincs can be transplanted now with safety. 3. Itis possible tnut some grubs have attacked the hippiastrunir, u.ider the surface. It would be advisable to lift the bulbs and examine them carefully before replanting. Naphthalene dusted round the site will act as a deterrent. " Gardener " (Whangarei).—The larks can be prevented from attacking cabbage and cauliflower by spraying the plants with a solution which will make them distasteful to the birds. BUch as nicotine, sheep dip, or any disinfectant with the odour of tur. Where larks are prevalent, it is a good idea to dip the plants in a solution before planting out.. A sticker, such as casein or milk, should be added to the solution, which will then remain effective for a much longer* period. Poisoned grain is usually whem steeped in a solution of arsenic or Parfß green. | Kepos. «