THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20254, 14 May 1929, Page 15

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

iearly crop of potatoes.

11V F.S.K

Where nuo has a suitable plot there is nothing to prevent one sowing a crop of ■cailv potatoes. An immediate start should bo made, for (ho sooner they arc planted tho sooner tho crop will be ready. L\n early crop is often very useful in filling in tho gap between the time vl.cn <)as'. year's crop is. used and tho next main crop is ready.

A plot which does not usually receive, •fii.'st should be chosen, for, owing to tlio jaicculent nature of their growth, potatoes are subject to frostbite. A piece of ground which is warm in other respects iJs well is required, for growth during the winter lias to be forced as much as possible in order that the tubers will mature, cail v.

Hastening Development. One thin" which has much to do with hastening " the development of early potatoes'is the use. of sprouted sets, i.e., t-ets which have been placed in shallow Iravs some months previously, in order "thai tliev will produce short, sturdy shoots. The-cold and wet condition of the soil at this time of the year is not conducive to growth, and it will bo found that ordinary sets will not sprout (inickly, and some may oven rot. On the other hand, a sprouted set will take_ jiiot almost immediately, and with its previous lead of two or three weeks (through being sprouted) will be about ■ii month in advance of an uusprouted set planted at the same time. Then, again, there are certain varieties which take less time than others to reach i\ state of maturity and, naturally, these will be the best where quick maturity is important. Where this is not so, however, as is sometimes the case, some of the usual main crop varieties may be. .Some of the best early varieties J,re Robin Adair. Early Puritan, New lira and Gold Coin. . Another factor which affects the period <,i erowth is the manure or fertiliser used. Phosphorus is instrumental in hastening the mauiritv of anv crop and should be used in quantity for the early potatoes. There aro several forms in which it. may be applied, however, all of which are not suitable in this case. Roadi y available phosphorus, that is, water solunle, is required. and this is found in superphosl>hat o. Preparing the Soil.

To prepare the plot one must begin bv 'digging 't thoroughly. A well-loosened soil is"necessary, so that the tubers will be able to develop freely. Deep digging and subsequent tillage with the iork ivill reduce the soil to the desired condition This will also ensure good drainage. which is another important matter. 3n the case of heavy soils winch, bv the v.av are not too well suited for growing early potatoes, it will be necessary to trench the soil. Where, the soil is of a liotxvy nature -the writer would not be inclined to a - tempt the culture of an early crop o ■potatoes except in very special case,, it the main crop is not sufficient to supp.y requirements then an autumn ciop nia_, lie frown to supplement the supp.y. An autumn crop has far greater chances oi success on heavy ground than lias one planted now. The preparations are completed In applying the .fertiliser, this being done direct to the drills by dusting. Ihe fertiliser should be worked into the soil in the -bottom, of the drills with a hand fork. Superphosphate 3 parts, sulphate of ammonia 1 part, and sulphate of potash 1 pa v t make a good mixture, which may J>e* applied at the rate of 3-3»oz. per square yafd or 2-2,10z. per yard of drill;; fiance Between Drills. require a lair amount of space in which '"ao develop, so the drills should he inatltP about 28ni.' apart. At this time bf the year the drills should notlie inifde more than 3in. deep. To plant the tubers anv deeper is dangerous. Ihe sets should be planted 2in. or 3in. deep with that end uppermost which has the greater aumber of sprouts. Usually, but not aivl-s, tliis would be the "rose" end. i.ft the end which had the most cm It is not desirable to use rut seeci#jf§r early planting. If, however, any setSas. more than five sprouts thev Euperfluoil ones should he rubbed off. From lgin. to 18in. should be allowed between the sets, the_ distance varying according to the quality of the soil. If possible a warm sunny day should he chosen, and the planting done in the morning, leaving the drills open throughout the day. The sun's rays will warm tho soil, which will give the plants a good start off. The covering of the sets may be carried out before the soil loses its warmth.

Damage by Frost. Should the young shoots become badly frostbitten the best thing to do to prevent the crop being a failure is to dig the tubers, both the old sets and any small ones that may have commenced to develop, and place them in a shallow heap to green off again. As soon as tho eyes have begun to develop the tubers mav be replanted. When planting small tubers three or four may be planted together. The effect of frost may be reduced considerably by hosing the plants well to -wash the frost off before the morning sun reaches tlieni. It is not so much the frost itself that does the damage as the rapid thawing when the sun rises. Another thing which helps is to cover the plants on a frosty night with some scran or straw. This practice is really of more use. than watering the plants the next morning. Early potatoes may be planted at any time from now until the end of July. Toward the end of this period the crops are usually' known as second early crops. It is about the middle of August that one begins to plant the main crop, when different varieties are grown. There is usually a break in the period of early planting during during the wettest part of the winter when it is neither advisable nor practicable to carry out any planting.

STRAWBERRY CULTURE

COMPLETION OF PLANTING

T>y this time all intending growers should have completed tho planting of their strawberry beds. Late planting does not give the plants the same chances of establishing themselves before the winter. 3'lants put. in now will not make much growth before the wet season commences in earnest. This is not fo say, however, that further planting must not be made. Although pla'hts put out now will never make up the leeway they will give a fair return for the outlay of time and labour. If Ihe winter is a mild one with comparatively little rainfall, there is every chance of (lie late plants producing good crops.

The factor which, to a certain extent, governs the yield is the amount of growth made by the plants by the time they commence to flower. After this stage is reached the rate of development of all plants is uniform to all intents and purposes. One should not force the plants to make, a rank growth up to that stage, however, for this would spoil their flowering and consequently their fruiting. Katurallv, soil in which strawberries are to be planted at the present time should be in the best possiblo condition. A thorough forking-ovcr should bo given in order to loosen the soil and when planting/ the soil should not be pressed firmly. This method will give tho plants the best opportunity for development. Where plants put out previously are lagging behind in growth they may be given a little liquid nitrate of soda- per gallon). This will noL induce a rank growth, as winter will prevent. this, but, on the other hand it fhoukl help the backward plants a little.