Page 9 Advertisements Column 2

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 106, 7 May 1942, Page 9

Seaweed and Sand For Good Asparagus Gardeners in Auckland's marine suburbs have an excellent opportunity of growing good asparagus, which ranks high among vegetables in its nutritive qualities. In its natural state asparagus grows just above high water level, often covered with sand and seaweed. Gardeners are in a position to reproduce these conditions with little expense. The initial work is hard, but as a well-con-structed asparagus bed will last for .SO or 40 years it is worth doing the job well. First essential is drainage. This usually means deep digging and the placing of a layer of stones and sand. Three feet is not too much to go down for a permanent bed. and even with stone drainage it will often be found that an outlet for stagnant water is required. The backyard trench shelter is the ideal asparagus bed, and no doubt after the war the sweat expended in its construction will be rewarded by a fine crop of asparagus. In the meantime those with the urge to do a little more digging will be able to supplement the usual spring vegetables. There is no better manure than seaweed, and when filling the trench alternate layers of seaweed, sea sand, soil and old stable manure, or failing that bonedust. should be used. The top of the bed should be raised and be made rich with a heavy layer of seaweed and soil, If this is carried out conscientiously fat shoots will be forthcoming for many years. The work should be put in hand as soon as possible, for the plants—two-year-old for preference, should be put out in August. When the tops yellow and die down in the early winter they should be cut off and the bed mulched with three or four inches of farmyard manure or seaweed.

80W SINCLAIR'S GIANT BTRAIN CINERARIA. Jj _ Per Packet, POBT FREE. GEORGE SINCLAIR, 321 QUEEN BT. Box 2SW. Established 1881. Phone 43-760 ~TL sow now OUR WONDERFUL Trade Mark). J LAWN GRASS SEED. 2J _ per lb. 10lbs and over lb - O'LEARY BROS. Cr DOWNS, LTD. Quality Seedsmen, COOK STREET, AUCKLAND, C.I. VEGETABLE PLANTS WILL BE SCARCE Including plants of Onions, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce, Beetroot, etc. Every commercial grower' is shorthanded, and many are not producing supplies at all. Bow your Own Seed and be certain! SOW NOW 1 ONION —Yates' Pukekohe Longkeeper. ONlON—Yates' Straw-skinned Spanish. CABBAGE—Yates' Enfleld or Drumhead. BEETROOT —Red and Silver. LETTUCE —Yates' Neapolitan, Winter type. BROAD BEANB—Yates' Early Long Pod. ALL PACKETB $d. EACH Include 3d. for Postage on Four Pkta. or leaa.