VEGETABLE CULTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20306, 13 July 1929, Page 27 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CULTURE.

ASSISTANCE TO CROPS. After a week of comparatively fine weather, with tlio ground drying suffieiently to allow of working, heavy rains hav> again rendered tho soil so wet thai it is hello.- to keep off the ground until a favourable change again takes place. At this season of the year the ground is naturally cold, so that crops, except the most hardly varieties, are makmg hut littlo headway, the growth obtained being in-a great measure dependent upon the cultivation practised. As soon as the soil can bo worked tae crops should bo given every assistance, applying n light dressing of somo stimulating manure before breaking up the soil. With all members of the cabbage family, spinach, lettuce and other green vegetables, artificial fertilisers can be applied with advantage once the plants are established. Attention, too, should bo given to earthing-up plants as they advance in growth. Drawing tho soil up to such plants as cabbages, cauliflower and other colworts, broad beans, peas, etc., not only 'assists in a measure to protect tho plants from harsh winds, but also gives added warmth to tho roots. BEDS OF ASPARAGUS. Established asparagus beds should receive special attention. Every weed should be removed, care being taken not to injure the crowns of the asparagus in the operation Being one of the earliest of perennial vegetables, asparagus plants require all the warmth possible. The roots, in any case, arc hut a short time inactive, so that tho warmer tho position and tho better the drainage tho earlier tho plants start info active growth. If iho beds arc at all liable to become sodden, or to retain 100 much moisture, a good plan is to deepen the trench around the sides of the beds. Toward tho end of (he present month a good sprinkling of nitrate of soda should be applied over tho whole bed. This will quickly dissolve and permeate the soil and stimulate root action. New asparagus beds, that have been prepared for young plants, should bo well forked over, so that the soil will be ready at tho t.imo when the plants aro in the best condition for planting. Directions have been given as to the best method of preparing the soil, so that satisfactory results can be obtained over a number of years, providing the bed received liberal inanurinl treatment each season. It is true some growers recommend "a more simplo method of treating and preparing tho soil for planting, namely, digging arid manuring the ground to a depth of 12in. to 15in, PREPARATION OF SOIL. Under this treatment, however, new beds or plantations rcquiro to bo laid down every two or three years, for after I wo, or, at most, three years of hard cutting—unless growing in exceptionally deep, ric,h, fwso soil, and receiving very liberal treatment— tho plants deteriorate, and only weak shoots are produced. It is better, where permanent beds are, required, to prepare tlib soil in a thorough manner by deep trenching and manuring. It should bo borne in mind that strength of s.hoots can be obtained only in proportion (o the degrco the roots arc supplied with the necessary food.

Land that lias been sown in lupins or other green crops, as advised some months ago, will, in many instances, ho sufficiently advanced for turning under. It is .surprising what a good grocn crop, if deeply dug over or trenched, will do to reinvigorato the soil and bring it into a good, fertile condition.

In preparing for fresh rhubarb Hio ground should be trenched, if practicable, at last 2ft. in depth, placing a (hick layer of manure near the bottom of tho trench and another, as the work proceeds, within about ;i foot from (ho surface, lly placing them well below the surfaco tho roots are induced to penetrate deeply, and they derive the greatest benefit from tho material applied. Tlio addition of coarse bono manure, applied as tho trenching proceeds, will be beneficial.

EFFICIENT SPRAYING.

CONTRASTING REQUIREMENTS

Fungicides should bo (is nearly in tho form of a mist us possible, some pressure being necessary to obtain the effect. The liquid should fall in liny droplets cm both the upper and lower leaf surfaces. Tlio droplets should bo so fino that they do not run together. Active spray nozzle movement is essential for efficient fungicidal work, says an English journal. Contact washes need fairly good pressure to ensure a direct hit, and to penetrate any excreta which may bo present With aphis or sucker. A coarse jet of liquid is necessary in direct contrast to the type of spray needed for fungicides. It will thus be seen that it is a physical impossibility to apply a. fungicide and contact wash at tlio satno time if each is to bo used to the best advantage. For the control of sucker and capsid bug tlio liquid must " tlood " through tho- bases of blossom and leaf stems, the nozzle being held over and close to the blossom truss. In tho case of aphis, if of tho leaf-curling types, tho liquid needs to be directed in. Ati upward driving manner as much as possible; if it bo allowed to fall only above tho < foliage, the curled loaves give tho aphides an " umbrella " protective effect. Tho common aphides are not so diflicult to destroy, owing to tho ease with which they can: be; hit. .; Capsid and - sucker should both /bo'sprayed for as" soon as the blossprp. stems sopara'to/: but before tho petals open,; and again, after petals fall if further■'.hatchings'have taken place. Aphis needs' afctdntiori.eorlyj and as frequently increase-appears imminent..