THE VEGETABLE SUPPLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20300, 6 July 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE VEGETABLE SUPPLY.

RESUMPTION OF OPERATIONS.

A few days of present fine weather conditions will enable work 'n the vegetable garden to bo again resumed. For somo time past tho soil has been in such condition as to render it almost inipos sible to do anything in the way ol sowing, planting cultivating between growing crops.

Heavy rains havo naturally battered and caked the surface soil and. under such

conditions the ground is cold and growth is retarded For this reason tho first operation, as soon as weather and soil permit, should be to thoroughly loosen up the soil between tho crops as a solid surface deprives tho plants of tho air and warmth that is so essential to healthy root growth. Many weeks ire often gained in the growth and development of crops when frequent and good cultivation can be practised. Every advantage should be taken of favourable weather conditions for planting out early potatoes and sowing peas and other crops for early use. Peas that were sown last month should now be showing above ground and will require to be protected from slugs and birds. For I slugs the free use of lime is effective, while black cotton stretched along tho rows is still one of the most effective preventives from birds. In making further sowings of peas slightly raised beds are still an advantage as it provides for better drainage ! and greatei warmth to the soil. To keep up a succession a further sowing should bo made as soon as the plants appear above ground Blood and bone manure mixed with wood ashes and strewn along the drills is an excellent materipl for this crop. Lime, too, or a good fertiliser for peas. In regard to the earlier-planted potato sets no effort should be spared to protect them irom injury. A good plan during cold, uncongenial weather is to keep tho soil drawn well up to the plants. Later sets that havo been placed in boxes for sprouting should be put outside to allow tho sprouts to green and harden in readiness foi planting. Take full advantage of fine weather to break up and prepare all ground required foi future crops. In a few weeks tho sowing of various spring crops will have to be taken m hand and the better condition tho soil is in the greater tho prospect of a good crop. CALCEOLARIAS. ATTRACTIVE POT PLANTS. Herbaceous calceolarias, grown from seeds of specially selected strains, and properly managed, are most attractive pot plants. Visitor to the Racing C'.ub gardens al Ellerslie, soeing tho magnificent collection there, comprising the greatest diversity of colours and utmost profusion of large flowers on dwarf plants, express astonishment at tho wonderful perfection attained by tho selection of the best strains, and proper attention from tho sowing of tho seeds to tho period of , flowering.

Tho .seeds, which aro very fine, should bo sown in pans filled with light, sandy soil, which should bo soaked with water before sowing Tho sood should bo sown from the end ol December to the middle of January See that the surface is level, and sow a? evenly as possiblo, and do not cover with soil. Place a pano of glass over tho pan, which must be kept in a shady place in the greenhouse, or have a little moss placed on tho glass. When the seed begins to germinate, remove tho moss and gradually rernovo tho glass. When large enough to handle prick tho seedlings off into pans or shallow plant trays, placing them about 2iir. apart As soon as they are laige enough pot thern into 3in pots and placo in a cool, shaded position, near the glass, to keep them small and sturdy When necessary ropot into sin pots. Pay careful attention to watering and airing, and., on the first appearance of green fly fumigate or syringo. Removo into their 6in or 7in. flowering pots, containing a compost consisting of one-half good, fibrous 'oam, a-quarter leaf mould and a-qnartcr well-rotted manure, to which sufficient coarse sand has been added »o keep tho soil free. Careful watering ; s necessary, with an occasional dose of liquid manure, before tho flowering. Support the flowering stems with light, stakes.

FLOWERING SHRUBS.

Deciduous flowering shrubs lend a charm to the garden and grounds, particularly during the spring months, when thoy are laden with the greatest profusion of blossoms contrasting with the surrounding overgreens. A selection of tho choicest and most distinctive that covor as long a season as possible should be planted at suitable intervals among the Elants in tho mixed border and shrub cry. Tho scarlet-flowered pyrus janonica is in full bloom towards the end of the winter. Exochorda grandiflnra i 3 one of tiie earliest of tho spring flowers, bearing racemes of largo white flowers until tho bush becomos a white mass. Forsythias produco their golden yellow drooping (lowers in advance of tho leaves; diorvillas or weigeilas produco their beautiful flowers in profusion; dcutzias in different varieties, dwarf and tall, produce, a great abundance of .lovely blossoms, wreathing the stems and twigs, ..I |