USEFUL VEGETABLES

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 34, 9 August 1934, Page 22

USEFUL VEGETABLES

NEEDS OF THE HOUSEHOLD

Potatoes come iirst in importance among vegetables. Early varieties may bo planted now in most districts with little fear of damage. Tho plot should bo well worked and manured, and drainage must be adequate to allow surplus water to get away freely. Early potatoes may bo planted somewhat closer together than the main crop, with tho rows not so far apart. Two feet between the rows and from 10 to 12 inches between tho sets is sufficient. Better results are always obtained from sprouted sets, for which purpose the seed potatoes should bo put out on shallow trays in. a light, frost-proof shed. GREEN PEAS. Peas aro'next in importance, and to onsuro a continuance of pods through out tho sowings should be made fortnightly.' The early varieties mature more quickly than the later ones, and most of them are comparatively dwarf, thereby requiring less staking. At the same time, oven the dwarf kinds are tho better for sonio supports to keep them off the ground. Peas love a limy soil. Avoid nitrate of soda and other similar .itrogonous fertilisers. CARROTS AND PARSNIPS. Carrots and parsnips require much tho same soil and general treatment. They should never be sown in ground which has been recently manured, as this causes the roots to fork and become useless. Sow in ground which was well manured for a previous crop and which has been well worked up to a good depth. Sow fairly thinly and cover lightly. Thick sowing is not only a waste of seed, but also necessitates a lot of labour thinning after tho crops appear. Parsnips are sometimes rather hard to germinate. Tho seeds being flat lie flat on the ground and very easily rot during-a protracted spell of wet weather. This seed does not retain its germinating properties very long, so it is advisable to procure fresh seed each season. TURNIPS. Turnips are quick germinating and should be grown quickly if they are to be at their best for uso. It is difficult to sow thinly enough, as the small round seeds run so easily out of the packet. , j LETTUCE AND RADISH. Lettuce and radishes, perhaps more j than other vegetables, rcquiro to be grown quickly to obtain the best results.. For this reason tho soil must be rich in plant food and as warm as i possible. Plenty of decayed stable manure worked into the ground is tho | best medium for. supplying tho needed conditions. Both these vegetables are best sown in small quantities at regular and frequent intervals —say, fortnightly—to ensure a regular supply of young produce. Lettuces do not transplant very well in the hot weather, but early in the season "there should bo no trouble in getting them to take without much check. When the season is further advanced it is advisable to sow in rows where tho plants are to grow and to thin out to tho necessary distance apart. Plenty of moisture and doses of nitrate of soda at fairly -frequent intervals will ensure luxuriant growth, provided tho ground is suitable.