CARE OF THE CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18891, 13 December 1924, Page 4 (Supplement)

CARE OF THE CROPS.

SEASONAL PLANTINGS.

Tho weather still continues in every way favourable for the growth and development of all garden crops, and should the same conditions prevail for another ■week or two, there should he little difficulty in providing au ample supply of fresh wholesome vegetables for the festive season. The spleudid warm showers experienced have certainly proved a boon to growers, especially it' they are to be again deprived of <he garden hose. In any case, artificial watering has never the same refreshing, invigorating effect as a good soaking rainfall. Such rapid growth, however, naturally entails more care being given to the crops, such as weeding, thinning out. staking, tying up plants needing supports, as well as frequently loosening up the soil. In such wt-a-fc b cr , successional sowing can still bo made of peas, French and runner beans, carrots, parsnips, let. toce, spinach, and other plants for salads.

THINNING-OUT. The thinning out of the crops should in every case be done when the plants are quite small, and before many fibrous roots arc formed. Root crops especially are often disfigured by neglect, fingered or branching "roots being formed through deferring the thinning too long. To obtain straight, wellformed roots, the tap should not be disturbed, but encouraged to penetrate deep in the soil. Well - thinned plants not oulv grow more rapidly, but are ready for the table earlier if all surplus plants are.pulled out as soon as they are large enough to handle. It often happens when the gar den is well stocked with seasonable crops the fact is overlooked, that sowing and planting of certain crops is still necessary if a supply of vegetable is to be maintained. In planting out cabbage, brocolli or other colworts a good plan is to dip the plants before planting in a solution of arsenate of lead. This will adhere to the undersides of the leaves, and will for a time at least, protect the plants from the ravages of the fly.

PLANTING OUT CELERY. Trenches should be prepared in readiness for the planting oi»L of celery. These naturally love rich ground, and to produce anything like well-grown, crisp heads, well-decomposed manure is essential. With the exception of the turniprooted or sell bleaching varieties, well prepared trenches is by far the best method of culture, as it not ouly confines the manure where the plants will derive the fullest benefits from its use but the moisture is better retained than when they are planted on the surface or in shallow drills. The trenches should be dug from 9in. to 12in. deep according to the nature of the ground. In land having a stiff subsoil 9in. or slight lv le>s mav bo sufficient, but in light, 'free soils, lOin. to 12iu. will be best. In the bottom of the trenches, a layer at least, 4in. thick of welldecomposed manure should be placed, to be forked over and well mixed with the bottom soil. Upon this should be placed 3in. or 4in. of go<>d fine soil in which the plants should be planted. Although the self-bloaching variety imore easily and more extensively grown, as it needs little or no trenches, or earthing to ensuro bleaching they do not compare favourably in the erispnos or flavour with well-grown plants that require earthing or otherwise darkening until the plants are rcadv for use.

PUMPKINS AND CUCUMBERS. Cucumbers marrows, and pumpkins are now running freely and pinching out tho tips of the leading runners will encourage more laterals and traits to form. All spent crops should be removed, and tho ground dug and if necessary manured in read news for future crops. With such crops as peas and other green crops, it. is an advantage to dig ill rather than remove- them from the ground, as it will add humus to the soil.

USEFUL HINTS. loz. of seed of beet sown Bin. apart will suffice for rows totalling 400 ft. loz. of seed of carrot, sown 6in. apart will suffice for rows totalling 600 ft. loz. of seed of chicory sown 9>n. apart will suffice for row? totalling 600 ft. loz. of seed of lettuce sown 6m. apart will suffice for rows totalling 6(Wii. loz. of seed of lettuce sown 12m. apart will suffice for rows totalling 900 ft.