The Farm Garden.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 15 October 1913, Page 2

The Farm Garden.

By W. H. Taylor in the Journal of Agriculture.

Current Work. Celery plants raised under glass should now be ready for picking off in othei boxes. The boxes should have a layer of partly decayed strawy manure placed on the bottom, and should then be filled up with fairly rich soil. Prick out the plants about 2 in. apart, water them, and shade lightly until they begin to grow. All the time the plants are in the boxes they must be well supplied with water. Never allow them to get dry; make the watering through each time. They will absorb a lot of water while they are growing freely. Celery-seed may now be sown in the open ground ta supply later plants. Be sure to sow in ground that is well manured, as they will not grow in soil deficient in humus. When large enough the plants will require spacing out in the open ground. Let them get a good size first; then put them out in temporary beds. Plants should be 4-in, apart each way. Prick off tomato plants m manner similar to that described for celery. Keep the plants close to the glass if in frames, or in a light position if in a house. If possible, arrange to have the plants in a position that will admit of ventilating, so that a current of air may pass directly through the plants. However, such free ventilation should not be given until the plants have made some growth. Brussels Sprouts.—This plant requires a long period of growth. It is not until considerable size has been attaiined, with corresponding strength, that sprouts are formed. If seed be snwn about the 15th September, with all the growing season ot summer and. autumn to come, it will be well towards towards the end of March before sprouts are ready, This is the proper time for them, as they are essentially winter vegetables. The plants should be treated liberally throughout. Prick off seedlings when large enough to bear handling into nurse beds of rich soil, and transplant finally into well-manur-ed ground before the plants get too large. Plant in rows 3ft. apart, with a space of 30in. between the plants in the row. Parsnips.—Sow in land that was well manured last season for some other crop. A deeply worked soil of a free nature, with abundant humus, is necessary to grow good parsnips. Avoid fresh stable manure for this or any other root crops, because, among other evils, it tends to make the roots fork and grow side roots, the resulting produce being coarse in texture and poor in flavour. A light dressing of fertiliser may be given, such as superphosphate or basic slag, but it will not be required should the soil have been manured last season with stable or farmyard manure. Carrots —If the early sowing advised has been made, there is no real need for sowing again yet. By sowing earlj in November the main crop Avill be ready b\ the time the early* bed has exhausted, and in good time for proper development. This also applies to parsnips whon they are not required for use untilsupplies summer vegetables peas, etc., are past. Early in November is soon enough to sow, but I find many people and also the markets require them earlier. Broccoli —Seed should be put in from mid- September to mid-October. Being the most important of the winter and early spring vegetables, they sfiould receive special attention. Var* ieties are very unreliable, except when obtained from the best sources, Seeds* men might with advantage find a wav of making an improvement in the matter of varieties. Early, mid-season and late 3orts should be sown. Prick off into nurse^beds when stroDg enough as advised for Brussels sprouts, aftertreatment being the same as in the case of the sprouts. Savoys require a loDger period of growth than cabbages, so that, although the end of November is the time to sow for winter cabbages, savoj-seed should be-sown in the latter half of September. Cabbage and Cauliflower.—Seed of both put in now will provide late summer aim autumn cuttings. Sow early varieties of cabbage, such as Flower of Spring, Early Wmningstadt or Jersey Wakelield, and giant cauliflowers* Lettuce should now be sown in lines thinly, and fmther thinnpd to about 9 .in. apart. This method is better than transplanting during hot weather. It is, however, certain t'uat many people will still transplant from beds, and when this is done if, is the best plan to make shallow drills and plant in the drills. This avoids planting in the dry surf roe soil, and renders watering easy, the water being concentrated in drills.