SEASONABLE WEATHER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18861, 8 November 1924, Page 4 (Supplement)

SEASONABLE WEATHER.

RAPID VEGETABLE GROWTH.

The warm weather experienced during the past fortnight has produced a marked chango in every part of the garden. In this department particularly crops are making remarkably vigorous growth. In such weather even the most tender varieties can be sown and planted with every prospect of success. French and runner beans with the warmth there is now — in the ground are

almost sure to sue-1 ceed, while such plants as kumcras, egg plants, cape gooseberries, pepper, sweet oorn, and other tender subjects, may be planted with confidence. Most of the early-sown crops, in spite of the cold, stormy weather that prevailed when the plants were in the soedling stage, are now making rapid growth, and should be looked over to see if a second trimming is required. With such crops as Shorthorn carrots, and early varieties of turnips, too severe a trimming is inadvisable, as the young quants soon attain i useful size, and can bo further thinned as required for use. With most other crops', however, thin, ning i'a most essential as tho plants soon deteriorate unless sufficient space is allowed for the plants or roots to properly develop.

CABE OF PEAS AND BEANS. Early - sown peas have done remarkably well, and are rapidly developing healthy pods. To keep up n supply, a sowing should be made about every three weeks. Earth up and stake as soon as the plants attain a height of about three or four inches. French baans, too, require similar treat ufient in sowine. To

keep up a supply, a small sowing made as recommended for peas should bo made; then a young crop will always bo available. Runner beans are one of the most useful vegetables that can be grown, as by making two sowings at intervals of a few weeks, beans are produced through out the summer and well into the autumn, providing the beans are kept closely picked and are not allowed to mature and ripen their seed. To support the plants wnere stakes are not obtainable, a simple plan is to place three or four strong up rights; according to the length of the rows, and strain a wire or place a battern near the bottom and another at the top. String fastened to these and taken up from nine inches to a foot apart will provide all the support the plants require. Sowings can still bo made of carrots, turnips, beet, silver beet, spinach, lettuce, leeks, onions (for pickling or for using in tho green state in salads), cabbage, cauliflour and broccoli

TOMATO CULTURE. Early-planted tomatoes are now start ing into rapid growth and will need frequent attention. Tho plants should be at once tied up to stakes or trellises whichever method of training is adopted. The best and simplest method is to train with only a single stem to each plant, keeping all side shoots removed from time to time as they start to grow. By this system of culture the plants, if not planted in too rich soil, will produce all the fruit they can possibly mature and ripen. Plants put in now will quickly become established, and make rapid growth. Bofore planting, a good plan is to dip tho plants in a solution of Bordeaux mixture or lime sulphur solution to de stroy any germs of fungoids that may be upon them. Kumeras (or sweet potatoes) may bo planted any time during the present month. For this vegetable, avoid too rich a soil, otherwise they make luxuriant growth of runners, but form few tubers. The plants should be ar ranged in rows 3ft. apart, and from 18in. to 2ft. apart in the rows.

TOBAOOO GROWING. Many amateura desire to crow tobacco for their own smoking, and others aro being induced to grow for tho local market, which now demands large quanti ties at a remunerative price. Now is the time to sow tho seed ol tobacco in dis tricis where frosts aro not likely to occui it» the spring. It is a good plan to make a brushwood or bracken fire of good size on tho land intended for a tobacco seod bed. Add to the soil after the -uper phosphate and nitrate of soda then work tho soil to a fine tilth. «tot nino yards long, by one yard wide, will grow enough seedlings to plant an acre A teaspoonful of seed will bo enough foi this area. Mix it well with fino ?oil wood ashos, cr similar material for easy sowing.