ABUNDANCE OF RAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20132, 18 December 1928, Page 18

ABUNDANCE OF RAIN.

SPLENDID GROWTH RESULTS. As a result of an abundance of ,rain the growth of the crops has boen maintained well up to tho present and if this continues good yields may bo expected. No matter how much artificial watering is indulged in it somewhow does hot produce such good result 4as tho natural rainfall. It is suggested that the -.conditions prevailing at the time tho water is applied (or falls as rain) have some influence on the plants. Although Vigmdrant of the reason for tha d.ffovonce in tho results from artificial and natural waterings, the gardener cannot help having noticed tho rapid growth made by vegetables since tho last two or three downpours. Tho gardener may consider himself very fortunate up to the present, as practically no artificial moisture has had to be applied. There is no guarantee or likelihood that this will continuo indefinitely, but the supply of moisture provided by natural means may be made to last longer by means of mulching. This is one of the chief things .to attend to at the present time. The mulching should be done as soon as possible after each fall of rain so that there is as little loss of moisture as possible during the hot days which follow. Another point in keeping tho soil mulched frequently, so that it is always in a loose condition, is that when rain does come it can run into tho soil quite readily. Rain that falls on a hard surface runs off before it can soak in. Soil mulching and intereultivation should be the watchword of the gardener until tho autumn rains arrive. The conditions which have been so favourable to the rapid growth of tho crops give the same encouragement to weeds. In fact it seems to take a seedling weed no time at all to become a fair-sized plant. One plant allowed to seed may provide the gardener with a hundred others to cope with. Weeds in out-of-the-way corners of the garden are more likely to be overlooked than others. The seedling stago is tho best time to eradicate weeds. During hot weather it. will suffice to hoe tho weeds out and leave them to be destroyed by the sun's rays. In cases when weeds are seeding, however, they should bo gathered and destroyed by fire.