SEASONABLE WORK

Evening Star, Issue 20428, 8 March 1930, Page 28

SEASONABLE WORK

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Boxing and Sprouting Potatoes for Sets.—As we are at the season lor lifting and storing potatoes, I should like to say a few words upon this subject. There is no question about the wisdom of boxing and sprouting sets for planting. The old-time of placing sots in heaps or putting into sacks to sprout is not to be considered it we are to get the best return in quality and quantity. Anyone practising this method of preparing sets will not think of departing from it. The up-to-date method is to place the seed tubers after they are lifted and dried direct into shallow boxes. The kidney lands are placed close together on the narrow end, with the eyes upward, in rows across the box until it is lull: the round ones with the parts containing the most eyes upward in similar fashion. These boxes are then stored in a cool, airy shed or under the shelter of trees where frost can bo kept from them, this plan insures plenty of air getting to them and the tubers making one or two plump, dark green, sturdy shoots with no exhaustion of the tuber which is to supply food to the shoots which are to form the future plant. Another great advantage in boxing when the tubers are placed in them at the time of lifting is that they require ho further handling until they are to ho planted. The proper size sets to use arc; Maximum side kidney—width 2i«, xveight2Joz ; round—width 2iu, weight 2oz. Autumn-sown Onions.— Oiks good point about the onion is that it may he inahe to grow in almost any soil. Although there are a few difficulties to be overcome, there is a marked difference between a well-grown crop and one under poor management. The onion will grow in almost any soil, but poor ground must be assisted with liberal supplies of manure. Almost any kind of manure will answer, provided it-is .'not "rank. But for handsome bulbs'and a heavy crop 'deep rich loam of , a somewhat light texture ,is required. If we do not begin’ well we shall not-end . well. About now is a ‘good time for an autumn sowing, and a satisfactory variety for this sowing, is Ailsa Craig I have in my garden at the present time Ailsa Craig onions KjJin round and 2 fib in weigbtl Good seed and good surface preparation and the proper depth to sow the seed arevery essential, assuming Iho ground has been well dug and manured. Hon manure- or that from a pigeon loft will answer, and for a top-dressing a dusting of soot three parts and nonunion salt one.part is excellent for onions.-In preparing the surface break down all lumps. Bake and tread the surface smoothly and quite firmly, then lay the line and .draw drills 9iu to 12in apart and not more than Jin deep; What is better, just cover the seed. This is done by drawing over the drill with the back of the rake. 801 l or pat down smoothly with the back of a spade, and the job'is complete.”’ mTIto remainder of tlie work in this de-partment-may be carried on -as advised last week.THE rIOWEB GARDEN Freesias.—This delightfully scented flowering plant is not grown in tho open here nearly as much as it deserves. For flowering in p°ts am * f° r green house decoration few bulbous plants are its equal. A very important and necessary point is to have thoroughly ripened bulbs. For outside flowering give them «• rich, well-man-ured, sunny border, pushing the bulbs down 2in apart with tho thumb and finger and nob more than 2in deep. Lot them start naturally, and when they are well up water them should the xveathqr -prove drv. .When the flower buds are showing give them waterings with liquid manure. To grow them really well and strong in I iota for greenhouse decoration get some Gin pots and drain well. The compost in which they, are potted consists of equal parts of loaf mould, old mortar rubbish (sifted), and fresh horse droppings and a good sprinkling of clean, sharp sai/d. Cover the bulbs about an inch deep and an inch apart. Stand the pots in a cool, sunny spot, and give only sufficient water to keep the soil moist, and start them into growth. When they are through the ground place them in a cold frame for about six weeks. Then they are placed on a shelf near the glass in the greenhouse for the winter. Water sparingly until flower spikes appear, then increase the amount, and apply soot wafer or weak liquid manure. Hyacinths and narcissus should be potted up for greenhouse decoration in winter and early spring. Flower beds and borders are now gay with dahlias, antirrhinums, scabias, phloxes, penstemons, and others. As the flowers lade, remove them. Plant narcissus, hyacinths, tulips, anemones, ranunculuses, crocuses, snowdrops. etc. Hon and rake flowers beds and borders to keep clown weeds. Cut back herbaceous and other plants going off or, out of flower. Propagate by cuttings geraniums of all kinds and calceolarias and special kinds of antirrhinums. Where any special shade or colour of the last-named is desired it is a good practice to root them by cuttings, as it is most difficult to procure the exact shade of colour ono may desire from seed. Gather seeds from choice plants.^ Take up anti pot layers of carnations.Sow choice annuals as previously advised. Take buds of chrysanthemums and keep down or pinch out side shoots. Keep those in pots well attended to, as this is a critical, time in bud formation and development. Mow lawns and remove weeds Ironr them to prevent their seeding and adding more troubles in the future. ANSWERS “ Amateur.’’—You wish to know what time of the year to plant free and potato onions,' and how they should he grown'.---There arc two'seasons of the year to plant both these kinds of onions '—either about May or early in June or very early spring. ,Cliero was an old practice in fbe South of England to plant on tho shortest day and lift on tho longest; Both kinds should have deep rich soil. Plant in rows li.u apart and 9in in the row tor the potato onion. If the soil is light they may bo earthed up like potatoes. Others prefer to leave them as they tiro planted unearthed. •■G.C.” —You have a number or chrysanthemums growing. Some are very soraggy. and Von ask if the cause is want of feeding. I have little doubt that the cause is not preparing the soil in tho first instance. The ground

should bo fairly rich to grow good chrysanthemums. It would be of no use putting on ashes as a top-dressing now. Wood ashes or burnt garden rubbish would have been decidedly beneficial to tho ground had it been worked in with some manure before planting. A little manure used as_ a top-dressing now would improve rue flowering. . . . . , “ Plunger.”— Sorry both leaf and flower in your letter wore ((into cli iecl up. 1 could not say what it was, _ H .0*