KITCHEN GARDEN

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15267, 1 May 1915, Page 7

KITCHEN GARDEN

Asparagus beds are now ripening their growth, and so soon as the foliage turns a golden yellow it should be cut down and removed. On no account cut it back if the foliage is still green. To do so will mean a loss of energy, owing to the B&p flowing from such unripened stems when cut. All sap m the growths should have time to flow back to the roots, and-there stored up for future use. Cabba2e and cauliflower plants should be set out in an enriched piece of ground., that is. where potatoes, onions, or peas have been growing during the summer. If set out now, while the soil is moist and still retaining some heat, a good growth will resnlt before the midwinter, and if kept moving by constant stirring will be strong enough in the spring to develop strong heads at a rapid rate, and fill a gap when vegetables are exceedingly scarce and dear. In warm, sheltered sites, particularly near the seaboard, sowings of peas should be made, and if sown now in a well-prepared soil, will supply an abundance of pods, the beginning of November, when peas are in great demand.

PLANTING STRAWBERRTEo. Setting out strawberry i plants should have been done a month; ago, but the weather conditions have been unfavourable for the autumn planting ot same.' Should rain fall, « is not yet too late to perform this work. lJae

straw berry did well in the early days of the Dominion, and grew ana fruited treely witnout mucn trouble to tne owner. In the early day s the soil had not lost its virginity, all the elements co suited to the needs ot t"* , ■plant wero there, in abundance, men. the fungoid pests were unknown, ana the now dreaded graes-grub bad not found out tho dainty morsel 6upp»ea to it in the roots and crowns or this plant on making a direct attack. "With so many disabilities, it is "<t to be wondered at that the cultivation ot this fruit has waned, "and in consequence the supply is not in keeping with the demand, and as a result the prices in the shops are prohibitive to the average person. Those who contemplate setting out some plants should thoroughly pulverise the soil betore planting. After preparing the soil, add to it before setting out the plants a free application of bonedust, sprinkle the same over the surface of the 6oil, then fork the ground over, after which set out the plants. If the soil is heavy use basic slag, although bonedust is equally good in such soils, but there is no necessity to be absolutely wedded to the bonedust. Set the plants about 15 to 18 inches apart, and some 30 inches between the rows. Top-dress the coil between the roiv s with a litter jof some soot. Shor.t stable manure, half decayed straw, spent hops. «re all useful for this purpose. In the Auckland province rushes are much used for this purpose, and have proved to be the best mulching material. They are cleaner, and will stand treadinc upon, and. mwt important of all. allow tho air nnd light to penetrate the soil, and in this way nre preferable to other forms of mulch.