SEEDLING CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20474, 28 January 1930, Page 5

SEEDLING CROPS.

requisite attention.

Seedling crops the summer require- rather moro attention than at oilier times. One of the first considerations is tlio moisture supply and the little plants should never bo allowed to suffer through any deficiency in this direction. Up to the present there has been no need to worry over this matter, but with a few days like those of last week the seedlings will soon require to bo watered. J.he seedlings will need artificial applications long before the bigger plants wul feel tho effect of the dry weather. . The reason for this is that the seedlings have not developed a very good root system. It is probable that the soil in which the roots are feeding will not contain much moisture, while that an inch or two deeper will bo quite moist enough. Until the roots reach the moister soil, however, the plants must bo watered as frequently as they require this attention. A good soaking is the best, and it is preferable that it be given in the cool of the evening. The thinning and weeding of the seedling crops is another thing that _ the gardener should attend to at all times. Once a plant is allowed to become spindly it will never make such a robust specimen when it gets bigger as it would if it is given a chance right from the start. There is nothing that will produce weakly plants-more than overcrowding, and it i? an easy matter to prevent the overcrowding. ' - As soon as the plants are well up' and all likelihood of some being lost through pests is over as far as one can tell, the seedlings should be thinned to about half the distances that they will have when they are spaced finally. The removal of the weeds from among the plants is also necessary, ,