FOR THE KITCHEN.

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 11, 14 January 1932, Page 18

FOR THE KITCHEN.

At this season th& kitchen garden should be well stocked with vegetables Of all kinds. The -ordinary routine work of -weeding, thinning, and waterIng must be attended to. The thinning Of seedling crops is important, particularly root crops which should be thinned while quite small to prevent the roots .becoming malformed, and so spoilt. No crop can produce ;the best results unless the, plants have ample room for development. ... . . ' ; ■ ~ ... Diseases are much. more liable to ftppear_in crowded crops thanin. those tvhich get the. maximum of air and sunlight. . ... .;.;

_ Attention should be paid to the stak. »ng of, peas, Vbeans, and, other vegetables requiring support/This is %1ways best done while the crops aro tpnghtj but encourages growth Tomatoes constant attention ■t«w'•" E 6r Of- to their ri^ 'i V 1 re 4 moving aU Bide growths (laterals) as^they appear, and spraying. When growth is tank, usuaUy follows moist, conditions with the ground nZ?' fi lßea^ is >n»«h; more liable to occur. Spraying: with Bordeaux Mixture once every three" weeks wiU keep the plant^ healthy, provided the Jlf reaches all parts of the plants * ! fl ,f pr-ayi i"^ is best' abne wien .the %vekther ia dnll and calm. If done whpri very windy much of:the spray is lost Arsenate^f todMnay be a Pddfd to tte S^l^tte big green cater! pillars which do.so mucll dainjage to the

_The tips' of tomato:plants" may ba mpp^_afte t: the:Mth;b4h ofSt|

GOOD GROWTH: Pumpkins; aid-marrow^ shouia "W making goodgrowth now; ;TH^iip 3 It the runners should' be nipped'off after coura^™^ 11 *f fi^frni^to encourage Sl a e growths, which..--'usually Celery plants:diust^e kej>{ -mbiat \t°l mt t0 allo^ t^ soil "get into !he egs s f rthenioitrotod^ off

all benefit by- being earthed: up. Potatoes, of course, always require earthing. Peas and beans are the better *or. " lf- afc is done b.efore staking, While cabbage and cauliflower and similar plants are less liable to be twisted about if they have the soil drawn up' round them.

The; removal of all spent crops and the reconditipning of the soil, either

by liming or manuring and deep digging, should be done without delay, to enable. .the; : various plots so vacated to be-' utilised. '■ . WINTER' GREENS. No time should be lost' in getting in winter greens, such as broccoli.' These will come in for cutting from late autumn to late spring. Among those suitable for present planting are savoys, brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbages. Efforts should be made to get these in while the soil is still moist, and they should be well puddled in to give them a good start. Never plant any of this class of plants on the same plot two seasons in succession, as this causes clubroot. The very best place is on ground from, which a crop of early potatoes or peas has been taken. A good liming of the ground when digging prior to planting will be beneficial. When, the plants have made a good start (but not before), periodical doses of nitrate of soda, following rain or a good watering, will assist the growth. Dwarf beans, an early variety of peas, carrots, and lettuce may still be sown. The peas and beans are better soaked before sowing at this season, and should be covered a little .deeper than normally, say, three or four inches. Sow the carrots as thinly as possible, giving the ; ground a good watering before sowing. Lettuces are best sown in rows where they can remain. They do not transplant too well in hot, dry weather. Of course, the seedling plants must be thinned out to a reasonable distance apart. Leeks are useful autumn and winter vegetables, and are not difficult to grow, provided the soil is rich and well worked. Thoy may be grown in tronches like celery, and earthed up, but this is not really necessary. The young plants should be lifted with as little damage to the roots as possible. Plant about nine inches apart, in rows. A quite good method is to make a fairly deep hole with a dibble, and drop the plant in. Then water freely without attempting to replace the soil. Sufficient will be washed down by the water to cover the roots, and the plants will immediately take root. When new growth commences liberal supplies of liquid. manure may be given once a fortnight. THE FLOWER GARDEN. v ■ Many of the annuals have finished their term of usefulness, and should be pulled out.

Spent blooms should be cut off any perennials and shrubs. It is a mistake to allow them to mature seed, unless it is required, as this weakens the plants. Sweet peas will- continue to flower for some time if all blooms are regularly picked...off and the plants are watered/and fed.

Staking 'of ,;' Chrysanthemums and dahlias should be.attended to.

Lawns should 'be- .regularly• jnown, and weeds be removed. '■"".'.

Some of the taller growing' autumn plants, such as, zinnias, hollyhocks, cosmoas, etc., should be staked, otherwise .they will bo broken down.

Corner

TEDE EVENING POST. THURSDAY. JANUARY 14* 1932.