EARLY-SOWN CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18885, 6 December 1924, Page 4 (Supplement)

EARLY-SOWN CROPS.

RAPID GROWTH APPARENT.

This department should now bo replete with almost every variety of seasonable crop, better growing conditions at any rato could scarcely bo wished for, the frequent rains having so far kept the soil supplied with sufficient moisture to ensuro healthy vigorous growth. Earlysown peas and beans arc cropping freely i and there should be little difficulty in such weather in keeping up a succession. With such favourable conditions existing, failures should be few, and only result from faulty cultivation and attention. The frequent show-ers,-it is true, have necessitated increased vigilance in protecting some of the crops from the ravages of slugs, which are naturally most troublesome in such weather. CAR BO S. Many complaints ' are made of the difficulty of raising spring-grown carrots, and in most cases the seed is blamed for the failures. In most instances, however, it is not the ■ fault of the seed not germinating, but by their being taken by the slugs immediately they appear above the soil. A sowing made now in well-prepared soil, of the intermediate varieties is more likely to succeed. After the heavy showers the whole of the ground between growing crops should Be well broken up, keeping a loose surface to assist in conserving the moisture and lessen the need for artificial watering. Artificial watering, unless liquid manure is used to invigorate growth, should only be , applied to crops when absolutely necessary. Much u.image i.. . .^.i done by frequently sprinkling the surface, inducing the roots to come to the top, where they quick)-- suffer in dry weather if neglected. Attend to the staking of pens, runner beans, tomatoes, and other plants needing supports. Where branches or stakes are not obtainable a few stout stakes and string stretched along each side of the rows will give all the support needed for peas.

TREATMENT OF TOMATOES. 1 Tomatoes, however, require to be strongly supported to either stakes or trellises to enable them to support the weight of fruit when in full bearing. These are now making rapid growth, and need to bo frequently looked over and all superflous lateral growths removed. If not planted in too thick ground, and grown on the single-stem system, the first bunch of flowers should form not more than from 6in. to Bin. from the ground, and at short distances apart the whole length of the stem. The fruits will thus set and develop more freely than when more leaders are allowed to grow. It is after a bunch or two of tho' fruit is set that some stimulating manure can with advantage VALUE OP SUOCESSIONAL SOWING. Sowings can still bo made of peas, beans, carrots, parsnips, spinach, lettuce, and other plants useful for salads. It is during the hottest weather that salads are most in demand, and they can only bo kept up by successioual sowings. Kumcraa may still bo planted. Too rich a ground is by no means an advantage; a soil in which sand or other gritty matter has been well incorporated is tho most suitable. Pumpkins, marrows, and cucumbers are now making rapid headway. A light, mulching with manure or other suitable material will now be beneficial and assist, growth. Water, rock and pio melons that have j been sown in the open ground should be thinned out, leaving not more than two or three of the strongest plants to each i plot, GOOD CULTIVATION ESSENTIAL. In the cultivation of vegetable crops, I the measure of success attained depends j noon the condition of tho soil, and the | treatment given. In ground that has been , well provided with humus, cither by the j use of good stable manure, or other do- | caved vegetable matter, thero is little ' difficulty in producing good crops. Ma- j terial is often destroyed, but if dug in the soil would do much to provide tho soil with plant food. Food, .of course, all plants must have, and if it cannot bo applied in the above form artificial fertilisers judiciously applied are very beneficial.