ORCHARD AND GARDENING NOTES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 14 August 1920, Page 5

ORCHARD AND GARDENING NOTES.

(By J. .Boi:: \\, F.iJ.irl.S. by Exam.) r: ji; v egetable gaiidea Work in this department should bo carried on with much greater activity during ibis month, as the worst of the, winter is nearly over. We shall have more frosts, therefore prepare for them. If anv tender crop is exposed to danger, have protecting material ready for protecting the plants. When frosts threaten, unless these precautions are taken, seed sowing had better he deferred until ail danger of frosts is over.

Euvsery beds mici cold frames will need constant attention. Plats growing in warm positions will soon get dry. Do not let them remain so very long. Dive the ma liberal watering early in the day. Take caro that seedlings are not overcrowded in the seed ov nursery beds, as it is impossible for them to give the best results. Overcrowding means starving both above and below the surface. Avoid this at all costs, Broad beans should be sown according to the demand for this vegetable. Broccoli. — Sow a pinch of seed on a warm, sunny border. Cabbage can be sown freely from now on. The small, ! quick-hearting varieties are the best for Home use. Carrofs. —Young tender roots are always welcome, and are never too early. Sow some seed on a warm, well-drained border. Be careful that the seeds are not buried too deep, _ a fault that causes many seeds to rot instead of germinating. ■Cauliflower.— -To be sown for succession. Remember that the plants from cadi sowing will all come nearly at the same time, so get the seed sparingly, and put out a few plants only from each sowing. Garlic.—Should be planted this month. Set the roots nine inches apart, and two inches deep, in good, rich, pliable soil. Lettuce.—Can be sown freely. Heads from present sowing wilt come in when lettuce is in great demand. Select good seed, and if the garden is sheltered and warm, sow the seeds' where the plants are to mature. But, in cold,, clamp situations, raise the plants in small beds, and prick the plants off into nursery beds as soon as the third leaf is formed. The lettuce is one of the most*valuable of green vegetables, and deserves more attention than it usuallly receives. Those unfortunate people who are dependent upon the market for their supply atv. often served with hard, tough indigestible heads, nothing like the tender crisp delicately flavoured article that is produced in a. private garden, providing; it has received proper attention. ” Lettuce should never suffer a check from want of moisture and room for both roots and leaves to develop ; every cheek means a contribution to hardness and loss of flavour. Lettuce: that has suffered a cheek should not be used in salads. They are only fit for stewing—better grow a few and do them histiee than raise a lot and starve" them. Lettuce revel in rich soil that is well watered in hot weather. „ . „ Parsley.—Should be sown during this month. This useful plant is sadly neglected, it would prove a valuable asset-to any kitchen or market garden. Good well curled leaves of pa rsley cannot bo bought at this season in any quantity. Parsley is one of the oaGost plants to grow. Sow the seed at anv time during August on good hoavv- soil. Thin the seedlings early, leaving them about 3in apart. When tliev touch each other one can tell those that will have the best curled leaves. Tins is the time to thin the plants finally, leaving them 10 inches °^Parsnips.—This vegetable needs -a* early start, especially on light soil. Or cold' retentive soil the end of August or earlv September is early enough tc sow the seed, but on light ground th< seed should be put in early in Augustproviding the soil and weather conditions are favourable. Choose a drv dav when the surface soil is in good working order, draw the drills only ont inch deep and leave them open 1 for several hours, so that the sun and ail can dry and warm the soil in the drills. Sow the seeds in the afternoon and cover them with only half-an-inm of soil. If the seeds are good they soon germinate. The young plant; <vro\v fast and cover the soil wit* leaves before the hot, drying snnnj weather arrives. This covering of the ground with their leaves conserves th< nio’stnre and prevents undue evaporation. and the roots benefit from these conditions.

Pens. —To he sown for succession.aecordiup: to space and demands. This crop must have room, and it is folly to attempt- to prow two rows on a piece of land that is only hip enough for one. Tin's crop must have light, air, and moisture; if the plants are crowd-* ed thov can only give poor returns, therefore, give them as ranch room as possible. Reeds to Row. —Broad beans, bvocco-. If cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, lettuce. mustard, parsley, peas, radish, spinach, tomato, turnip. ! What to Plant:—Cabbage, cauliflower. potatoes, rhubarb, garlic, schaliots. sea kale