THE VEGETABLE SUPPLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20028, 18 August 1928, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE VEGETABLE SUPPLY.

RESTOCKING THE GARDEN.

From this timo onward operations in the vegetable garden should bo actively resumed, every advantage being taken of favourable conditions to restock the garden with seasonable crops. Good vegetables have seldom been nion scarce or difficult to procure that they have been during the past winter, tho result, no doubt, of the long, dry summer and autumn, followed by almost incessant winter rains Early-sown crops, unless in the most favourable positions and soils, had little chance of succeeding, as little cultural assistance could be given while the soil was iD such a sodden condition. A few fine, sunny days, however, at this season quickly dry the soil sufficiently to allow of bringing it into a satisfactory condition for sowing and planting. The more favourable condition the soil is in at the time of sowing, the better will be the results. The most successful grower of early crops is he who i. ot.es carefully the state of the soil at the time of sowing, and who prepares the grojnd only when it is sufficiently dry and friable, so that even drills can be drawn and the seeds evenly covered without the soil becoming puddled in the operation. REQUIREMENTS OP POTATOES. One of the most important crops to claim attention at the present time is the potato. If the sets have been started, as advised a week ago, they should now be at a stage that should ensure rapid growth after planting. For the early crops the sets should not be planted too deeply. If the sprouts have made an inch or so of growth, a covering of about 2in. over the tops of the sprout will be sufficient. Earthing up as the plants advance in growth is preferable to deep planting. If the ground has been manured for previous crops, no further manuring should be necessary. Better results will be obtained by giving a sprinkling of superphosphate after the plants are %vell started, and again before earthing up. Too rich a ground invariably tends to promote rank top growth instead of inducing the development of good tubers. To keep up a succession of peas, sowings should be made about every three weeks, or as soon as the previous crop shows above the soil. Peas succeed best in well-manured ground, but where stable or other animal manure is not obtainable, grass clippings or other partly-de-cayed garden tefuse are excellent materials to work in tho soil. Dig out a trench 6in. or Bin. deep and place in a good thickness of this material and refill with good soil. Draw flat, fairly wide drills about 2in. deep and before sowing dust blood and bone along them to give tho plants a good start. Wood ashes or soot can also be applied with advantage.

WHERE BEANS SUCCEED. Sowings can still bo made of broad beans. The Broad Windsor or long-pod are both useful varieties to grow, and succeed well in modestly stiff soil. Draw the drills wide enough to tako a double row, and arrange -the seed in the rows alternately, at about 6in. apart. French and runner beans are naturally more lender subjects, and little is gained by sowing until the end of next month. Even then they need a warm, sheltered position. As the weather permits sowings should be made of all useful crops that assist to keep up a supply. Carrots, turnips, beet, summer spinach, silver beet, lettuce, onions, cabbage and cauliflower should be sown in addition to a small area of leeks for early planting. Provision must also be made for a supply of plants for salad. For this purpose lettuce, mustard, cress and radishes, as well as young seedling onions, are always in demand, and frequent sowings are necessary to keep up a supply. Onions required for pickling can now be sown. These can bo either broadcast in beds, or sown in wide, shallow drills, but, as only small bulbs are required for pickling, the seed should bo sown thickly. The silver skin is one of the best varieties for this purpose Autumn-sown onions can bo planted any time up to the end of next month, though for early use a few rows should be put out as soon as the plants aro large enough for transplanting. COLWORTS AND ARTICHOKES. Plant out cabbage and cauliflower according to requirements. These, like all numbers of the brassica family, aro gross feeders, to be placed in soil that has been well enriched with manure. Jerusalem artichokes can be planted any time during the present month. The sets should be placed about 4in. below the surface of the soil. If they aro large thoy may bo cut, so long as each set contains at least two sizes. The rows should not be less than 2ft. 6in. apart, and the sets should be placed about 18in. apart in the rows. Planted during the present month, they aro generally well above the ground in November From that time until the stalks wither, which is usually about the end of May, the ground should be kept free from weeds and occasionally stirred between the rows. Beds of rhubarb should now be forked over, administering at the same time a good dressing of manure. In digging, care must be taken not to injure the crowns. In making fresh plantations, the ground requires to be deeply dug or trenched and well enriched with manure. The best types to plant aro healthy ono-year-old roots, preference being given to those having a strong, single crown. In planting, place the crown level with the surface, as there is always a tendency for the crown to sink when planted in ground that has been deeply worked. Herbs should at this time have attention. Such varieties as thyme, sago, majoram, taragon and mint are easily renewed and increased by dividing the plants. Parsley, however, is best raised from seed, which should be allowed, to grow where sown.