NARCISSUS SHOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20324, 3 August 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

NARCISSUS SHOW.

VISIT OF IRISH EXPERT. Daffodil growers and exhibitors are looking forward with unusual interest to tho show, arranged for Septombcr 13 and 14. Owing to tho expected arrival of Mr. Guy L. Wilson, of Broughshance, North Ireland, tho celebrated grower and hybridiser of daffodils. Mr. Wilson is visiting relatives in Australia and is taking the opportunity of being in Auckland, during the time tho National Daffodil Society of New Zealand is holding its third annual show in Auckland.

Jhe latest importations and New Zealand raised seedlings will bo freely shown, and should provide Mr. Wilson with a fitting opportunity to give onr growers his expert opinion and advice. -Mr. Wilson intends touring the Dominion, when daffodils are in the zenith of their perfection, visiting the Southorn districts, where tho cultivation and importation of the latest novelties and, locally raised seedlings is so extensively followed.

A BUSY MONTH.

WORK DURING AUGUST.

The present month is always a very busy time in tho vegetable garden as almost every variety of vegetable required for spring and early summer uso has to bo sown and planted. Up to the present, however, much of the preparatory work has had to bo suspended on account of tho heavy rains and tho sodden state of tho soil. Many of the earlier sown crops havo naturally suffered, while vegetables, with the exception of a few of the hardiest varieties are scarce. On this account no effort should be spared as soon as favourable weather conditions prevail, to place tho soil in tho best possiblo condition for sowing and planting.

In preparing tho ground it should bo borne in mind that all vegetablo crops succeed best when the ground has been deeply worked and well manured. Although artificial fertilisers are essential, and 'can be applied with advantage once the plants are established; good stable manure or other decayed vegetable matter provides the necessary humus and supplies the young plants with tho requisite food to ensure healthy growth. This particularly applies to all green crops. With root "crops, however, such as carrots, parsnips, long-rooted beets, scorzonerh, salsify or similar deep-rooting plants, better results aro obtained in soil that has previously been well manured and from which a crop has been taken. SEASONAL SOWING. As soon as weather permits sowings should bo made of peas, broad beans, spinach, beet, silver beet, turnips,_ carrots, parsnips, Jettuces, onions, radishes, mustard, cress, parsley and other seasonable crops. In sowing, especially whero the surface is at all lumpy, greater success will bo achieved by preparing a barrowful of good sifted soil for covering the seed. The seed in every case will need a little less covering than for later sowings. An effort should be made to alternate the crops as far as possible, green crops being followed by root crops when practicable. In this, a good deal will depend- upon the treatment the soil has received and tho amount of manure applied for tho previous crop. For root crops tho soil should bo deeply and well broken up so as to allow the roots to penetrate into tho soil without check. As soon as tho soil is in a workable condition no timo should be lost in planting out a good plot of potatoes for "early nse. The season so far has been anything but favourable (o the earlier crops, which cannot fail to have suffered from the uncongenial conditions experienced since tho time of planting. Planted oven now, a warm sheltered situation that is least subject to harsh winds or frost should bo selected. EARLY POTATO CROPS. For early crops the sprouting of the sets before planting is important and much better results aro obtained. Tho plants come up more evenly and there is not tho same risk of the tubers rotting. Before planting, carefully examine the sets and discard any that show weak spindley shoots. In' planting sprouted sets the tops of tho shoots should be only lightly covered, as tho roots need all the' warmth they can get during the next two months Keeping the plants well earthed up as they advance in growth is in every way preferable to deep planting for early crops. If tho soil has been well worked arid manured for a previous crop no fresh manure need bo applied at tho time of planting. Sprinkling tho rows with manure after the plants aro well above ground and at tho timo of earthing up will give better results. Asparagus, if treated as advised in previous notes, by opening out a light trench around the sides of tho bed to provide for free drainage, will soon be 011 the move. At this time nitrate of soda applied at tho rate of about an ounce or slightly more to tho square yard over tho whole bed will do much to strengthen tho plants and invigorate growth. A sowing of tomatoes should bo made for later planting. Sow tho seed in shallow boxes filled to within half an inch of tho top with good sifted soil. Place tho box in a warm part of the greenhouse or failing this on a slight hotbed, or even in a sunny part of the verandah. Cover the box with glass and shade with paper during tho hottest part of tho day until germination takes place. 1 Thon remove the shade.