KITCHEN GARDEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 215, 9 September 1903, Page 7

KITCHEN GARDEN.

We now have had a few days of splendid weather, so that all classes of garden work have been carried on with pleasure. All those who may have itaken the trouble to manure and dig the soil during tho winter mouths will now have no difficulty in easily preparing the ground for cropping. All that is necessary now is simply to fork the ground over, so as to bring it into a fine condition fon sowing the seeds. Peas: Continue sowing for succession; fork between the rows of such as arc well through the soil, and earth ,up those beginning to advance in growth. Onions: If.not already done, sow at once. Autumn-sown onions should now be beginning to grow strongly. See that the soil i.s kept free and open between the rows. Prepare a break of ground for transplanting some of them when they get a little larger. Potatoes:' Whenever they are weli through' the soil; if the sotKis poor, Aust ;i little quick-dissolving manure over them, and break up the soil between the rows with a fork. Earth up those advancing in growth. The late crops of potatoes should be planted during this and the beginning of next month, according to the quality of the soil. Op warm, dry soil plant early, and on, low-lying, wet soil defer the planting till the beginning of next month. Invaluable as the" surface stirring of the ground is to all cultivated crops, it is probably of greater importance to the potato, for tb-2 simple reason that its roots ramify vigorously in suc£ a medium, Whereby they become robust, thick, arid capable of forming and maturing large tubers, of good quality. Besides, however, the superior Initial growth' theplant makes under these conditions, the Rubers which ultimately form become of greater , size and weight than when grown in hard clods. To really do justice to .the "crop, the ground should be periodically stirred between the rows to a good depth during the whole period of their grqwth. Market garden growers practise this Instances occur Where the horse plough, "the tines of which are reduced in working width as the plants' roots extend, is kept constantly at work in large fields when the *crop is growing vigorously; an soon as they finish hpeingat one end they a"am start at the other. So thoroughly is the work done that when they give the first hoetng they slightly lift the plants, and that with benefit rather«,than otherwise. Where manual labour only is employed, it will ropav growers to break up the ground between the rows witfh a steel fork. There exists a three or four tined tool, used in the form of a hoe, whereby the ground can be deeply loosened more expeditiously. It is important to first break up the ground to ;i goodly' depth before the roots extend too widely; it may then lie a few days to be softened by"aerial influences, when it will be in a condition to be broken down morn finely with tie 'iee'imUmiiiaiy. -to earthing bp the iowe*.j ..:...,:?......-...■./-...........-._.

Tomatoes, grown under gl<is.i without artiflcial heat, are progressing well, aided by recent weather, it is necessary to warn ■ growers—amateurs in particular—against | keeping tho structures too close and moist, i conditions entirely opposed to the needs of tlu'so particular plants. We recently visited an amateur's new and very capable structure, when-in attempts wore made to growboth cucumbers and tomatoes together. iJoUi throve well in the matter of growth, • though the- inevitable result will be that I the latter will be drawn up aud incapable of fruiting. A dry,.'warm atmosphere, in' conjunction with abundance of fresh air, ! along with all the sunshine possible, is ab- ! solutely necessary for-the latter; whilst the [ former succeeds in ;i closer atmospheise, liiylily surc-lutr-cd with atifipsptierlc moist- i ure. No attempt should be miicle 'to hasten : the growth ol' tomato plants by any other treatment than this. A slow, sturdy growth made under these conditions will alone enublo th-c plant to fcum ttowers and fruit heiii' its lower jointa, and to coutiuuc fruitins- ujiwarde, joint by joint, as it extends. For which reason, given that the roots grow iv- ii .staple flbrons loam, manurial ■ waterings, moreover, are not advised. The really beneficial effects of the latter are only secured after the clusters of fruit are set and' swelling freely, then such aid will not only assist current fruit to swell, but will also ensure point shoot extension and the addition of clusters of fruit onward, until the date arrives when decisive stopping takes place and further growth for the year ceases. .Meantime only the main leading shoots must be permitted to grow, alPside shoots existing below such should be wholly removed a's they appear. The extremities of said leading shoots, moreover, require close observation and neat manipulation I'roin time to lime to ensure that the legitimate leader shoots alone progress, because the plant is ever prone to form divisional shoots at its apex. A little close attention and practice is nec»ssat'y to enable growers to determine the main and remove subsidiary ones on their inception, but great care is necessary in doing so so as not to injure the delicate embryo blopm trusses forming Uusidc them. Cabbage and Cauliflower: Continue planting for succession. Keep the soil well stirred between tue rows of growing crops, and earth up those which are growing large. Clear away the debris of old crops as soon as cut, and prepare the ground for later cropping. Turnips, Carrots, etc: Make , another small sowing. Break up the soil between the rows of -such a.s aro growing, and thin out before the little plants begin to draw one another up. Sow mustard, cress, nnd radishes for succession still in warm, sunny situations. Lettuce: Prick out a few more into rich, well manured soil, and sow another pinch of seed J'or planting later on. Leeks: Sow a small pinch of seed to 'provide plants for early planting. A row or so of French beiuis should now be sown, and with good weather they now should succeed. Rhubarb: If not already planted, plant out at once in deop, rich soil. Prepare a lied for pricking out early celery plants. Lay down about inches of wellrotted stable manure, put about two inches or good soil on top of this, then prick out the little plants ahoirt four inches apart: water, and protect till tliey get established. This bed should at present be in a position sheltered from cold winds'. , Broad beans should now be in flower. After a good quantity of flowers lias shown on each stalk the extreme .top of the shoot should be pinched off. This will cause the ■flowers to set quicker and pod more freely. Continue manuring and digging vncatit pieces of ground, so that they may be in good order , f».r later cropping. Thin out seedlings of all sorts ts soon us ihey can h< , handled; never allow all little plants to get lafge enough to draw one another up. Careful attention must be given to keep slugs off seedling's just coming through the soil. Often seeds jret a bad name through t lie slugs eating the plants a.s they make their appearance above groimd.