In The GARDEN

Northern Advocate, 31 October 1936, Page 2 (Supplement)

In The GARDEN

Kumaras.

The present is a good time for putting in kumara plants. If you have already dug an early potato crop before the tops have died down, kumaras make a good succession. If the soil is light, it is weir to consolidate it from six to eight inches below the surface. This may be done by tramping. The idea is to prevent the formation of long narrow tubers. A Complete manure mixture should be used, say blood and bone or bonedust 3 parts, super 3 parts, and sulphate of potash 1 part. Some growers also use sulphate of ammonia, in about the same ratio as the potash. Stir the mixture into the ground before planting. The planting is often done on ridges, thus allowing the tops a better chance to function, and at the same time giving the rooting a better chance by getting as much natural Warmth as possible. In our lighter soils however the plants do quite well on the level, provided the drainage is good. Place the rows about 30 inches apart, and set the plants in from 15 inches to 18 inches apart. Plant firmly, and at a slight angle. Choose showery weather, or plant late in the afternoon, giving a good watering. The plants soon take root.

Onions.

Early sown onions are even now commencing to swell. It is very important that the bed be kept weeded and clean, with the surface roughed, giving the plants all and fresh air, with as dry an atmosphere about the plants as possible. Be careful not to cover the bulbs with soil, rather drag the soil away from them. They will appreciate a dusting with soot. This will help to stimulate their growth and at the same time help to keep them healthy. A dusting of wood ashes worked into the soil about the plants will also be appreciated. If seed heads show, cut them right out, and use those bulbs first when they have expanded a little as they are not likely to be good keepers. Keep a look out for mildew, pnd at the first suspicion of the disease, give a spraying with limesulphur solution (about 1 in 70), followed by a dusting with flowers of sulphur.

Pumpkins and Marrows.

If not yet started, no time should be lost in sowing the seed of these half-hardy vegetables. Roughen the surface of the hill before sowing to

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give the soil a chance to sweeten. If the weather happens to be dry, a thorough watering should be given before sowing. Plants raised indoors may be put out now, but they should be given a little shelter to start with. Use tea-tree or fern," and give any amount of water at planting. Provision should be madei for watering growing plants during dry spells. Place around the plants a ring of inverted sods, or drive a piece of piping into the bed, down which water can be poured; this latter is an excellent plan, as it assures the water going to ' the right spot. When the plants have run a few feet, pinch out the growing tips so as to encourage side shoots. This will materially increase the harvest.

' The Egg-Plant. This is rather a tender plant, but it does quite well here provided it is not sown too early. It is a remarkably small plant for the size of the fruit it bears. Seed may be sown now, preferably indoors., The young plants will lift and transplant quite readily. Give them a good soil, a warm sunny position, and good drainage, and they, will want little attention during their rather long season of growth. The growth is slow for a start, and is more marked in the heat of summer.

Broad Beans and Aphis. I have, a note from a Dunedin source that excellent results have been achieved in ridding broad beans of black aphis by spraying them with a solution made by dissolving a few packets of Epsom salts in a bucketful of water. The solution was in no way harmful to the plants, nor did the latter become reinfested.

Lima Beans. Lima beans are perhaps the least known of our halfihardy beans; but they are beans of high quality, and deserve to be widely grown. They like a warm, rich, deep, well-drained soil. Place the rows about 3 feet apart, with about 6 inches between the seeds. The tall varieties reach up to about 5 feet, and require staking. Once established, the plants should be mulched with a good rich compost. This is to conserve moisture, hasten maturity and increase the yield. The beans are shelled, cooked, and served as broad beans. They are said to be much more nourishing than broad beans. If desired, they may be dried off and stored for winter use.

Sweet Corn.

As a substitute for green peas when the latter are thinning out in the hot summer months, sweet corn serves a very useful purpose. It may be sown now. It makes a quick start and is a quick grower. It may be conveniently planted among the marrow and pumpkin plants. If the plants stool out at the base, these secondary shoots should be removed. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. S.T.—Although your plant is related to cerastium, it has a different type of inflorescence. It is Arenaria lanceolata, a desirable rockery plant. Tane. —The plant is Silene Armeria.