SEASONABLE WORK

Evening Star, Issue 22817, 27 November 1937, Page 24

SEASONABLE WORK

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN Sowings should be made of savoys, broccoli, cabbage (Blair’s), cauliflower (Autumn Giant), leeks, lettuce, turnips (Golden Ball), and early swedes, carrots for early winter use, spinach, beet, and turnip beet. When sowing the above seeds in drills, if the seed is watered with the rose on the can before covering with soil, it will be found that germination will take place very quickly, especially if the soil is dry. Celery should be planted in prepared trenches. Thoroughly water the bottom of the trench before planting. Do not plant celery which has been growing In boxes for any length of time, as the plants become stunted and never make good tender sticks after planting out. Cabbage, lettuce, and cauliflower may still be planted, but for all plants that have to stand over the winter months for table use it is far too early to plant. For late crops of peas make a sowing of an early variety, such as Early Crop, Greenfeast, or William Hurst. Those who have been unable to sow their French runner beans for various reasons should sow the seed in boxes or trays. If placed in a glasshouse or frame the seed will quickly germinate and be ready to transplant into the trenches, which can be made ready for them. In this way several weeks will be saved. Beans transplant very easily. Butter and dwarf beans may be grown in the same way. If sown at once a crop will be quickly obtained. Marrows, pumpkins, and cucumbers should be planted on prepared beds as soon as possible. Keep the surface open between all growing crops. Especially is this essential in the onion, carrot, and parsnip beds. After a careful hoeing it will be found that the young plants start away in a remarkable manner, as this method will conserve the moisture and also allow the air to penetrate to the young roots. t Supports should be placed where required to peas, etc., or else the plants will suffer when blown about with the winds. THE FLOWER GARDEN The tulip beds and borders still need attention, although the flowering period is over. During this past spring the flowers have been a great success, but the finishing of the bulbs is the most important thing in the cultivation of the king of spring flowers, and at this stage the bulbs should be making good, strong foliage, so it is essential that all weeds should be removed away from around the bulbs and a dressing of artificial manure which contains plenty of potash should be applied, and if given in liquid form it will benefit the bulbs at once. This will prevent deterioration, as this is one of the chief reasons that the flowers become streaked and the blooms are small. It has been said by a recent writer of gardening notes on tulips that with care they will flower for three or more years without deterioration. The writer of these notes is growing bulbs that were imported in 1922 and are as true to-day in size and colour as the day_ they were landed. This also appplies to other gardens _in and around Dunedin where cultivation has been carried out in a practical manner. I know a small garden in the hay where the same bulbs have been grown for over 10 years in the same border, and throughout that period only one flower has been streaked, and their was a reason for that flower becoming broken in colour. I wonder if we ever think of the hundreds of acres of tulips alone which are grown yearly on the same property 3’ear after year, and are always true to colour in Holland and also in the Homeland. If the bulbs deteriorated in a manner which is the experience of some people, I am afraid they have not been engaged in tulip growing on any large scale. Some time ago 1 predicted in these nlotes that the time would come when these beautiful spring flowering bulbs would be exported from here, owing to the fact that bulbs can be grown in Dunedin and district equal to any other country, including Holland, the home of the tulip. This has already come about, as last season a large number were exported to Australia from here No doubt there is a great future for the tulip trade alone when the cultivation is thoroughly understood.

There is no doubt that tulip growing is becoming very popular, as one can notice as he looks around, especially in the small gardens. The cost is very reasonable, and the increase is considerable when grown in a practical manner. No other_ bulb will give quicker returns in relation to cost, etc. There are many varieties on the market—at least 16 or 17— but the most successful varieties for the climatic conditions in this part of the country are the following:—The Darwin, with its beautiful self-coloured flowers, most suitable for bedding and massing, and the Triumph, a cross between the early single and Darwin. These arc also very suitable for bedding, having strong stems, but the colours up till now are a bit dull. This will no doubt be improved in. time.; Another interesting

vai’iety is the ,parrot or dragon tulip. These delightful flowers have curiously laciniated petals which are richly coloured. When fully expanded the flowers resemble many of the orchidsTlxese tulips should have a sheltex-ed position, as the flowers are somewhat heavy, and are apt to get broken with the wind. The doubles are well worth a place in the garden, and may be had in many shades of colour. These flowers are very strong in stem, and will stand an exposed position, and for cut flowers they are invaluable, lasting many days in water. A variety which will shortly be on the market is the Ideal Danvin. The raiser claims these tulips to be the finest type raised up to date, and far superior to most of the Darwins now in commerce. The winter has seen large numbers of these flowers, and the most remarkable feature is the extreme earliness and supei’b substance in stem and petal. There are many other varieties in commerce, but the above have all been grown in this district, and are a great success. Notes as to cultivation and storing will appear in season. F.S.P.