THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20288, 22 June 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE VEGETABLE GARDEN.

WINTER CULTIVATION. In the cultivation of -winter vegetables too much attention cannot be given to the treatment of tho soil- Fom this tlino onward, colder weather must be expected, and ft will be only by taking advantage of fine weather to work the soil and maintain a loose surface that crops -will derive tho full benefit of any warmth obtainable. For most winter crops the measure of success attained depends largely upon tho character of the soil. In soils of a free, open nature that provide free drainage, there is hot the same difficulty as with stiffer lands. It is -with the latter class of land especially, that the advantage of raised beds for many varieties of crops are mostly noticeable. Apart from providing a more ready drainage, the ground is more easily weeded and worked. Established plants of cabbages and other cohvorta can be greatly assisted in growth by giving a sprinkling of superphosphate or nitrate of soda before hoeing or earthing up. Rhubarb roots that have been in the ground more than two years should bo renewed. With the large-stalked, seedless varieties separating the crowns is the only means of increasing or renewing the stock With such varieties, however, as Myall's Victoria, Topps' Winter, or others that are raised from seed, strong one-year-old plants will invariably produce better crops than old, divided crowns. When renewing the beds, it is advantageous to give the plants a complete change of soil. All rhubarb requires a soil that has been deeply trenched and well enriched with manure. Although plants in well prepared beds will last for several years with annual top-dressing and manuring, it is best to renew them'about every third year. The Topps' Winter variety, though somewhat. smaller in stalk than the summer varieties, is not only a winter cropper but is almost a perpetual bearer, producing highly coloured stalks of superior flavour.

A sowing of peas should bo rnatlo in anv warm, sheltered position. Few vegetables are more appreciated or more in demand than well-grown peas, and the longer their season ■ of usefulness can be extended the greater will be the satisfaction of the grower. In selecting tho variety, endeavour to obtain only the ! most approved early kinds. The pea is a much more hardy plant than many imagine, and will stand a amount of frost without injury. Uio warmer and better tho position, however, tho more successful will be the growth. I'or this reason tho crop will succeed best in ground that has been previously deeply dug and well manured, so that all surplus moisture can readily escape. During the winter tho roots naturally need all the warmth they can get. and for this reason slightly raised beds will invariably produce more satisfactory crops. An inch and a-half of covering of fine soil is ample for this season, and before sowing a good dusting of lirno or wood ashes, or both, sprinkled along the drills will bo an advantage. Instead of giving the seed too great a covering it is better, as tho plants advance in growth, to keep thorn well earthed up, as this provides better drainage and gives additional warmth to the If tho seeds aro liable to bo attacked bv mice or birds lightly moisten and sprinkle sufficient, red lead 011 it to form a coating. It will then rarely bp attacked. For slugs, frequent dustings with lime as the plants show above the ground is effective. For birds, however, the writer has found no more effective method than stretching strands of black cotton along the rows, the cotton being raised a few inches abovo the soil. See that asparagus beds are kept thoroughly clear of weeds. Where -tho beds have become, in any way, nearly level with the Surrounding surface, a trench opened out around tho sides will have a beneficial effect.