ROTATION OF CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20496, 22 February 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

ROTATION OF CROPS.

HINTS FOR GARDENERS.

In sowing or planting it is well to give some attention to the rotation of crops, for if the same crops are sown in the same place year after year the soil becomes exhausted of certain elements ami the quantity of manure that is required to produce anything like satisfactory results becomes expensive. It can, however, be much reduced by a careful system of rotating the crops. As an instance, for the production of first-class celery a large quantity of manure has to be employed, and the ground in which it is grown made rich. It is almost impossible, even when grown at its best, for all the extra richness to bo consumed by the plants,, and hence celery leaves tho ground in a far better condition than it was prior to its being prepared for its reception. A good crop to follow celery is onions, but there are many other crops that would be improved if allowed to follow celery. Potatoes are somewhat greedy, but even these seldom take out of the ground so much as tho preparatory manuring has put in. Potatoes may be followed by lettuce or cabbage, in fact any of the brassica family, such as broccoli, cauliflower, or others. Peas and beans will follow almost.anything well. Carrots will follow almost any kind of vegetable, providing the ground has been deeply worked and the manure not placed too near the surface. Beets are even less particular, though g medium good soil is necessary, for if sown or planted in too rich ground they are liable to fork instead of producing nice clean roots. It must be borne in mind that while one variety of piano may impoverish the ground for its own species, it invariably leaves more or less of value for another, and that by taking advantage of this the greatest use can be made of the soii.

TOMATOES AND OTHER CROPS. Tomatoes are now ripening freely. Continue to keep all side lateral growths removed and the plant.3 sprayed, as a preventative from disease and caterpillars. An occasional application of some good stimulating manure will at this time assist in the development of the fruit. "With the harvesting of onions, potatoes, and the removal of 'other spent, crops many of' the plots will be again ready for treatment. Such land should if necessary. be manured, deeply dug over, or trenched, and if not needed for immediate cropping will be greatly benefited by being allowed to lie fallow and sweeten in readiness for future cropping.