CULTIVATING THE SOIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 5 (Supplement)

CULTIVATING THE SOIL.

SUCCESSFUL CROPS.

At no season of the year is (lie preparation and cultivation of tho soil of greater importance than during tho early spring months. Tho success attained in tho rais ins and growing of early crops depends chiefly upon tho ground being in fine tilth at tho time of sowing, as well as in keep ing tho soil frequently stirred after tho seedlings aro abovo ground. Cleanliness, too —keeping the ground freo from weeds or other rubbish in which destructive pests can tiide —has much to do with tho success achieved in raising early crops. At no other season aro slugs and snails more troublesomo and destructive to vege tablo crops than during tho present month. At this time, in addition to slugs, hundreds of snails como out from their shelter or breeding places, and soon play havoc with seedling crops unless carefully watched and measures are taken to protect them. Tho frco use of fiesli lime, applied lato in tho evening, or, better still, after dark, will destroy large numbers of these pests._ By keeping tho garden clean and free from weeds, how ■ ever, thero will bo less difficulty in protecting the crops from their ravages. Slugs aro also kept in check by frequont hoeing.

NEED FOR INTER-CULTIVATION.

In soils of a heavy, retentive nature, keeping the soil well broken up between the crops is necessary, for after every heavy rain it quickly forms a hard surface, excluding tho air and warmth that is so essential to the growth of early crops Tho more often deep hoeing or light digging is repeated the better it will bo for the crops. Attend to tho earthing-np and staking of peas as they advance in growth. I lie earthing-up and staking is best done as soon as tho plants form their tendrils. Even the dwarf varieties are better if the top 3 aro kept off the etound by staking. To maintain a succession, mako further sowings as soon as the previous batch is an inch or so above tho ground. By carefully timing the sowings of the various crops there should he little difficulty from this time onward in keeping the garden well supplied. . , Loso no time in planting out a good break of potatoes. If tho ground has been previously well broken up and prepared it should now be in good condition for planting. Ivecp the soil between eailierplanted crops well worked and as soon as they have made sin. or 6in. of growth gi\e a sprinkling of superphosphate along each side of the rows and give the final earth-ing-up.

PLANTING ARTICHOKES

Jerusalem artichokes may bo planted any time during tho present month. Though these are not as extensively grown as other vegetables there aro few gardens in which they would not succeed and crop abundantly. They will succeed in almost any ordinary soil and once planted scarcely require renewing, kven after being carefully dug up there arc m variably sufficient tubers left it) tho Ground for tho next season's crop, tor this reason they should be planted in some corner of the ground that is not required for other crops. A small sowing of celery may now bo made for early planting. Ihis is best sown in shallow boxes filled with fanly rich, sifted soil. Tho seeds, being small, should not be sown too thickly. these should bo only lightly covered with soil, and carefully watered with a fine rose. Cover tho box with glass arid place in a warm greenhouse, vineiv or close frame. To grow celerv successfully tho plants remiire to be kent in a healthy condition from the time the plants are raised until they are sufficiently matured for use.

PROVIDING SALAD PLANTS

Salad plants will soon bo in increasing demand, and every effort should bo made to keep up a supply. At this season transplanted lettuce, if placed in well manured ground grows rapidly and soon produces line heads As the season ad varices, however, it invariably succeeds best when allowed to develop where sown In addition to lettuce, young onions, radishes, mustard and cress aro in rt« quest. To keep up a supply the three latter should be sown about every ten Tri warm, sheltered situations a few well-hardened tomatoes may bo planted Before planting a good plan is to dip the plants in a solution of Bordeaux mixture to destroy any germs of disease. Although this may not render tho plants immune from the disease later in the season it, will certainly assist to prevent their being attacked during their early stages of growth. . , , ~ Established asparagus bed should now be mulched. Before applying the mulch another li-jrht sprinkling of nitrate of soda distributed evenlv over the bed will have a beneficial effect,.

LIME FOR OLAY SUB-SOIL,

In soils o! a stiff clayey nature it is better if the subsoil is well broken up. well manured and left in tho bottom of the trench. Most vegetable crops succeed best in soils in which well-rotted stable rnaniue or decomposed vegetable matter has been freelv incorporated. Animal manure, it in true, is not alwavs available. Tn such cases if. is surprising what ea n be done in the way of restoring fertility bv sowing down and turning under a good heavy greon crop. Artificial fertilisers, such as snpemhns phates blood and hone mantiro. sulphate of potash, and lime are excellent agents to use a* thp time of anvvine With soils of a stiff clay nature lime cannot bo too freely used, as it sweetens and pulverises tho soil, rendering it moro pliable and more casilv worked. Phosphoric acid, potash and nitrogen aro the main elo mnpts remiirod for plants and are supplied bv the manures mentioned. A lirht sprinkling of any of tho above along the drills when sowing gives the plants a good start, or it can bo applied to the surface and hoed-in after tho plants aro well above ground.