Garden Notes

Hastings Standard, Volume IX, Issue 5150, 17 March 1906, Page 4

Garden Notes

(By IIoKTL'H.) VEGETABLE GARDEN. To make provision for a good supply of lettuce through winter, a fair sized plot or bed should be marked off, and prepared now.' The preparation consists in. thorough digging and working into the ground, of a liberal quantity of manure and raising the space somewhat higher than the surrounding surface, and in winter culture of lettuce, this is important, for the reason that although it loves moisture, it suffers from an over supply when planted in to low positions in winter. The best form of bed is raised well aloDg the centre and stooping a little to the sides and by preference running north and south. But it is not advisable to seed the whole at once. A third of the space may be BownJTuow, and the balance in two additional sowings in about a month from this. The black seeded varieties being hardier than the white seeded, they should be selected for this season and the seed should be sown thinly. Excellent radishes can also be raised by similar culture. Eor supplies of mustard and cress, the surface soil must be dug and raked to a line tilt, and the seeds scattered thickly over the surface and not covered, but gently knocked down with the back of the tpa.de. The cress does not germinate so quickly &* the mustard, and it ought to be sown three days sooner, so°that both may be ready for use at the same time. Where there is spare ground not required for cropping, it is a good plan to seed it with cape barley or oats. The growth of this will keep weeds in check and will add to the quality of the soil when dug in. FrViT GARDEN. Some excellent kinds of pears of local growth are now ripening up, and as"the cultivation of this importing fruit is as yet in its infancy, what is the most suitable kinds for any particular locality have not been proved or decided by practical experience, it is necessary that the cultivator keep an open mind and carefully compare ; notes of available samples and character of soil and other conditions in connection with their culture. A limited number of ,;orts thrive to perfection m this district, hut on the other hand many good old sorts, that . are satisfactory, some iu tht south, ani ! this parr of the colony, ami from what- i •no 1 point it is viewed, the suhjeCt is exceedine 1 y interesting•