THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19806, 29 November 1927, Page 16

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

GROWING LETTUCE. B¥ B.T.R. Although only a " salad " crop lettuce has come to bo considered one of the main crops of tho garden. Tho time is now opportune for attending to the provision of a supply during the summer period. Plants raised from seed sown earlier may bo set out now in properly prepared ground. The best method of growing lettuce is in a bed about 4ft. wide, and as long as is required to keep up a supply sufficient to meet the demand. Tho bed should not bo much more than 4ft. in width or else one will have difficulty in reaching across to the centre without ■ stepping on tho bed. If lettuce is to be grown as a catch crop, however, the bed method will not be possible. The preparation of tho bed is simple, But it needs to be thorough in order to produce the best results. A rich, friablo soil is necessary. Tho main aim of the I growor should be to produce lottuce as crisp and tender as possible, and tho best way to do this is to forco the plants to make as rapid a growth as possible. Tho two essentials to rapid growth are plenty of food and plenty of moisture. There are other minor factors, also, which encourage rapid growth, although not. being quite as essential as tho two mentioned above. Value of Stable Manure, The value of stable manure for incorporating with the soil when preparing for the crop can hardly be over-esti-mated. A heavy dressing should be spread over the bed and worked in when the ground is dug over. The digging should be deep in order to bo as beneficial as possible and so that the stable manure may be more thoroughly incorporated. If stable manure is not procurable, cow manure, compost, or fowl manure may be used. Any of these materials is suitable, but none is quite as good as stable manure. After tho bed has been dug over and the stable manure, or substitute, worked in it should bo allowed to lie fallow for a week or two. Then it should be broken down preparatory to planting. Before it is broken down, however, it is a good plan to give it an application of blood and bone. This may be strewn broadcast over the bed at the rate of loz. per square yard. It will be worked in sufficiently when the ground is being broken down by means of tho hoe. After another hoeing the bed should be ready to receive the plants. There are two types of lettuce, the cos or upright type and the cabbago type. Both kinds have several points in their favour, and ordinarily, the choice would depend on the individual liking of tho grower. For summer batches, however, the writer would recommend the cabbage type as the cos varieties are of a looser habit of growth and arc not so well able to withstand the scorching rays of the summer sun. Moreover, varieties of the cabbage type are naturally quick-growing, and so are well suited for summer culture. Method of Planting. A good method of planting is to use a plank placed across the bed. This marks the line for the next row, while by making suitable notches on the edge of the board one can obtain at a glance the distance between the plants. The plank also prevents footmarks which consolidate the soil, whereas the board transfers the weight, of th< body over the whole area under it. The result of this is that no portion of the bed is compacted to any appreciable extent, and a hoeing will rectify the slight harm that is done. The plants should be watered before being transplanted and a good bali of earth should be taken up round the roots of each. The distance between the rows (which, it might be added, should run across the bed, as this will facilitate tilling operations later on) should be about 12in., but on poorer soil a distance of 15in. will be advisable. The distance which should be allowed between the plants is about 9in. After transplanting has been completed the bed should be given a good watering. From then onwards everything should be done to induce the plants to develop rapidly. The hoe will play a prominent part in this effort. The push-hoe is the best tor the purpose and should be used frequently. The advantage of having the rows crosswise will be seen when one comes to hoe a large bed, for one could not hoe along the rows in the centre without stepping on the bed if the rows ran length wise. Supply of Moisture. The frequent hoeings will maintain a soil mulch which will conserve tho soil .noisture The question of the moisture supply is an important one, and anything which helps in this direction should not be overlooked. At no time should the crop bo allowed to suffer through tack of moisture, for when lettuce cannot obtain sufficient moisture it begins to lose its tenderness and will not be nearly as refreshing. A striw mulch between the rows and around the plants will be very useful as summer advances. As soon as the supplies of moisture, which have been conserved in the soil, become exhausted it will be necessary to resort to artificial waterings Tho best time to water is in the evening when the sun has gone down. A good watering which lasts for some time is far better than numerous applications which do not last very long. No matter how rich the soil was made at the time o? preparation, lettuce will benefit from liquid manurings. Tho food contained in the stable manure, etc., becomes available- to the plants gradually, and if supplies of readily available food are given during tho development of the crop, the plants make more rapid growth. Any fertiliser intended for the purpose must, therefore, be soluble, in order that it may be readily available. Nitrate of soda is an excellent growth stimulant and is ideal for the purpose A solution may ho made by diswolvincr loz to each gallon of water and applying it at the rate of or;p gallon to every two rows where the rows are crosswise. If the ground is dry a clear watering should be given before the liquid manure is applied. Controlling Disease. Of recent yeara a fungous disease has been attacking lettuce crops and causing •osses to the growers. It is similar in appearance to potato blight, except that it does not have the white fluffy margin to every patch of infection. Infection usually commences when artificial watering is resorted to. on account of the fact that the gardener allows the water to fail on the plants also. Ir. order to check this fungous pest the lettuce plants must be kept dry. When applying water by artificial means, then, one must be careful to keep tho water off tho plants. To do this the nozzle or rose should be removed from the can or hose and the water poured on the ground between the rows. There are no known spraying measures which may te taken.