SUB-ANTARCTIC GARDEN

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25548, 16 July 1948, Page 4

SUB-ANTARCTIC GARDEN

Vegetables Grown On Campbell Island SURPRISING SUCCESSES, AND SOME FAILURES From Our Own Reporter WELLINGTON, July 15.. The five New Zealand meteorological observers on lonely Campbell Island—more than 400 miles south of Bluff —do not go without their fresn vegetables. On this bleak, mountainous outpost of New Zealand territory, the five inhabitants have proved that with hard work and care it is possible to grow vegetables under tne most adverse conditions. This year the men are extending their garden and, if all the seeds sent <from New Zealand strike well, their vegetables will include celery, leeks, brussels sprouts, carrots, rhubarb, parsley, cabbage, parsnips, radish, beetroot, lettuce, spinach, silver beet, cress, mustard, potatoes, beans, swedes, turnips, and curly kale. . Because of the fierce winds, the lack of sunlight, and the cold sub-Antarctic climate, great difficulties have to be overcome to make a success of a vegetable garden on the island. Many experiments in soil treatment and use oi fertilisers have had to be made during the last few years. . An outline of the gardening activi; tie:. last year was given to “The Press by Mr J. H. Sorensen, who is now in Wellington after spending a long period on the island. “Some Excellent Results” “Some excellent results have been obtained from the vegetable gardens at this station in spite of the poor growing season last wear, said Mr Sorensen. “With the knowledge gained from past experience, it is now possible to concentrate on those things which do well or moderately well, and, in consequence, there is little ‘ ‘There seems little doubt that many vegetables can be grown successfully if the peat is treated correctly. It might even be found possible to treat a larger area of ground and so induce the growth of forage grasses to lun enough sheep to keep the station supplied with fresh mutton. The rest ox the wild sheep on the island could then be destroyed.” There are four vegetable plots on the island, with a total area of aboW 90 square yards. The following icrtiliser and trace elements have been applied:—lime, superphosphate, nitrate of soda, potash, mag. sulphate, cobalt, boric acid, manganese, copper sulphate, zinc, iron sulphate. Last season 17»lb of potato seed were planted for a total yield of 67Jib.. By far the best results were obtained from the Black Kidney seed One Shaw of Black Kidney produced nine excellent table potatoes and a few small ones. The Dunbar Standard was a failure, and died off before the tubers were fully formed. Catriona seed produced excellent potatoes, one measuring sin and weighing Bpz. ine King Edward seed produced fairly thought doubtful whether the main cropping varieties of potatoes would mature on the island, as late frosts make planting impossible before mid-October. “It seems conclusive that a quick-maturing variety is desirable unless a variety can be found which will stand conditions much more rigorous than those on the southern mainland of New Zealand, Mr Sorensen said. Detailed Garden Survey

Interesting observations about other vegetables on the island were made by Mr Sorensen as follows: — Rhubarb.—Only one nlant survived of those sent in mid-winter of 1946, but it is healthy and is producing well. • Others recently supplied are doing well, and it appears that this plant is suited to conditions on the island. • Parsley, mustard, cress and lettuce. —All these do very well, and provide the base for salads almost all the year round. By judicious use of the forcing fiame these four plants can be grown in the winter months, and provide salad greens in the spring when they are most wanted.

Radish and snowball turnips.—Both do exceptionally well in season. The tops of the former are used in salads, and turnip tops are used as a green vegetable, mainly steamed. Silver beet and spinach.—These do moderately well, and provide greens for salads or cooking over a large part of the year. Mint.—This is holding its own in a small special plot, and provides a change from the dried article. Carrots.—A moderate yield was obtained from those planted last season, and although they were small they were of good quality. Parsnips.—They do not give a good return, and seem unsuited to the climate.

Cabbage.—Only spring cabbage plants were available last season for late planting; but they stood up to the winter and provided green leaves for salads, soups and stews until the next spring. A few developed small hearts. Winter cabbages are expected to give better results this year. Artichokes—Produced good growth, but no tubers. Evidently unsuitable here.

Peas. —The seed used last year was old, and only two plants came up, too late in the year to be any goad. Peas are being tried again this year. A number of strawberry plants were taken to Campbell Island from the Aucklands, where they were growing well in what looked like hopeless surroundings. Good growth has been noted so far. The Aerodrome Service of the Public Works Department, which maintains the men on the island, is eager to do all it can for the welfare of the staff there, and has encouraged the extension of the garden plots. It receives advice from the Department of Agriculture and other experts, and sends it to the island.