GROWING BROCCOLI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20114, 27 November 1928, Page 15

GROWING BROCCOLI.

iiv r. s.n.

VALUE IN EARLY SPRING.

'Although tliero lire (mo or two points fn connection with the culture of broccoli that are not in its favour, there is certainly onn characteristic which stands it in good stead, and it coinos in very useful in early spring. Every gardener will know how difficult it is to obtain a good assortment of vegetables just after tho winter, and any crop which conies in at, this time is a welcome addition to the garden. The broccoli is a type of cauliflower, tho chief points of difference being that the divisions comprising the fiowerhead of the former are much moro clearly defined than in the latter. Broccoli takes gflveral months longer in which to mature. The growth of broccoli is not lessened Hnring the winter months, but cauliflowers always adopt, a go-slow policy during the cold weather, their rate of development being governed by the severity of tho winter. Consequently broccoli is a much more reliable crop for early spring. As the time for planting is drawing near it will be as well to attend to the preparation of the soil. The seed may bo sown until the end of the present month. For providing plants for putting out late a sowing may be mado now. Probably the best late variety of broccoli is Sutton's Last of All. Soil For Broccoli. Tho soil requirements of broccoli ava fairly simple. Virgin soil will grow it well wherever there is a plot of new land. Otherwise it may follow oarly peas or potatoes, both of these crops leaving the soil in » suitablo condition. As broccoli is a member of tho cabbage family, it must not be put in in soil from which col worts havo been taken.

Tho preparation of the soil will depend on tho nature of tho ground. A heavy eoil may be dug deeply in order to loosen it up, and improve its drainage during the winter. A medium soil may bo forked over fairly lightly, as it is not desirable to have too loose a soil. A light soil should be merely hoed over on the surface.

As is the case with other cruciferous crops no organic manure should be ■worked into the soil. The food supply may be attended to by applying artificial fertilisers. While not being such a gross feeder as some of its relatives, broccoli requires a certain amount of food, which is supplied in the fertilisers. A mixture of equal parts of superphosphate and sulphato of ammonia is quite suitable, if applied at tho rate of £oz. per square yard. Over-manuring is not desirable, as it results in weak plants which will not be well suited to withstand tho severe conditions in winter. A healthy development that will produco sturdy plants should be the aim. Transplanting From Seed-Bed. When the plants are large enough the work of transplanting may be carried out. Tho plants should be raised in drills 111 a seed-bed and put out into their permanent quarters, when about sin. or 6in. high. Tho distance to allow between the rows is about 24in., while about 2lin. should Jbe allowed between the plants. If the soil is inclined to be on the loose s'dc it should be trodden after tho plants ha\e been set out. A dibber may be used in this case, but otherwise the trowel is the most suitable tool. A good watering should be given to the plants in order to settle the soil about tho roots, and .so help (lie plants to establish themselves quickly. If the plants are ready before tho bed is properly prepared they should not bo left in the seed-bed to become overcrowded, but should bo heeled in somewhere. When the ground is being prepared, it should bo given an application «f limestone at the rate of 4-6oz. per square yard. This is in order to remove any acidity thero might lie in tho soil. This is on account of the fact that club root spreads inure rapidly when tho soil is sour. Protecting the Hearts. In order to bring the flower heads to maturity in tho best possible condition it will be necessary to protect them. If this is not attended to, the broccoli may be badlv discoloured by the time they are reatly to be harvested. Cauliflowers likewise require protection, and this should be attended to a*, onco where necessary. The simplest way is to partly break three or four leaves so that they fall across the flower head, thus covering it completely and preventing it from being spoiled by the sl'.n and weather. The protection should first be provided when the flowedhead is becoming visible. During its development broccoli requires very little attention. Hoeing is practically all the tillage that is needed, this boirg merely to maintain a mulch and keep weeds under control. Until it is broken up clay soil is difficult to manage with a hoe and a fork may be refill ired. The fork must not be used on light soil, though, as it 13 necessary to keep all but the top few inches as firm as possible. THE FRUIT SECTION. CURRENT ORCHARD WORK. Spraying measures should be continued wherever thero is need for them. Iho regular three weekly applications of fungicide in the caso of most trees should not be forgotten or pests may obtain .1 bold. At all costs the trees must, bo kept, healthy in order that tho maximum crop may be yielded. Should rain follow immediately after any application has been made, it will bo necessary to repeat it, as llin spray, if not actually washed off. will bo diluted and so rendered ineffective. It is sometimes advisable tn add a " fixer" to the spray if tho mixture ii not very adhesive. Fig trees, fortunately, are not troubled by any fungus or insect pests. I hose specimens, however, may need a little attention at the present time to keep the trunks and branches free from moss. A good idea, is to wash the trees, using 11 brush with bristles of medium stiffness.

Pip-fruits may be troubled with attacks of the woolly aphis and where this is noticed st*>ps must bo taken to remedy matters. If this is riot, done the branches will develop swellings wherever the Aphides congregate. These swellings restrict tlie flow of the sap. This must be prevented, or the tree will become unprofitable. A great di>:il of trouble is, however, not required, fur there is a simple but effective method »f controlling this pest. Dabbing the (luffv patches with kerosene destroys tho aphides. Tf an old tooth brush bo used the kerosene is more effective still as it penetrates tho cracks more thoroughly. Loquats continue lo ripen their heavy crop by stages and in gathering tho fruit orchardists should use secateurs and remove whole bunches at a time instead of pulling the fruits off singly and leaving the twigs to die on tho tree. Any Cape gooseberries that it !S Intended to plant should bo put in without delay. Those that have been put in earlier may be staked when they are big enoigh. Support is necessary where strong winds are experienced as the bushes are easily battered when they have attained their full size. Other small fruits should bo sprayed ns they need it. Preventive applications of Bordeaux, 4-4-40, once every three or four "weeks should be given to keep the bushes tree from fcwigous pests.