VEGETABLE CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20602, 28 June 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CROPS.

SEASONABLE OPERATIONS. Although little could be done during the past week in the way of hoeing or working the soil among growing crops, no opportunity should be lost as soon as favoor•fela . conditions prevail to at once loosen ep the soil between the crop 3. Cultivation at all greatly assists growth, but is •sea more necessary after heavy rains, whea the soil has became beaten so that a hard surface has formed. It is in such weather that weeds often get beyond the control of the grower, as it is only when the soil is comparatively dry that the groiiid fa-TE ba worked and the weeds fuoeassfsJly dealt with. "With crops growing upon raised beds there .is not the same difficulty, as the soil is more quickly drained of surplus moisture, while much of the weeding and workins; of tha ground can be done without tramping upon the beds. Bat, apart from this.' raised beds for many varieties of winter vegetables are preferable, as the vegetables are mare easily raised and grown than when sown on fiat ground, unless the soil is of a light, friable nature. DEVELOPMENT PEBIOBS. * . Tie fiTTw taken in the development of vegetables naturally depends in a great, measure upon the situation, scil, manuring,, methods of culture, and the season in~whida they are grown. It is thus obvious that only an approximate idea can fee famed of the time taken for the plants to arrive at a usable stage. Varieties even of the same species vary widely in tier time of development, some varieties, in "certain instances, maturing some weeks in advance of others. Some crops, too, are of a usable size when little more than . half-grown. Carrots, turnips, and beet» for instance, are at no time more tender and sweet for table use than at this stage pf - their growth. For most green dtps, snch as cabbages, cauliflowers and othgr of the brassies, family, Jeeks, spinach, lettuce.. etc., nitrate cf soda is fane of the most useful chemical fertilisers for growing and finishing eft these crops, when carefully used, bat it should only be applied to the plants after they have become well rooted and established. The use of thi3 material, however, will depend upon tbe treatment the ground has received before planting. If the soil has been well enriched with good stable or larmyard manure, it may be sufficient for the development of ihe crop without fartiiier assistance. With all the cabbage family and other green crops, keeping the soil frequently stirred i 3 almost of as much mportancs as manure in encouraging healthy, vigorous growth. Good cultivation, in fact, applies to all crops, and has much to do with assisting in. their development. APPBOXEKATE PERIODS. Mflst winter-grown vegetables are composed ci the following varieties, which are givim' with an approximate estimate of the time the crops take to develop from the time of sowing until they are ready for use:—Cabbage and cauliflower, S5 to .120 days; broccoli, 140 to 190 days; carrots, 50 to 90 days; parsnips, 100 days; turnips, 55 to 70 days; beet, 70 days; spinach, 50 to 60 days; leeks, 100 day 3; anions, 220 to 140 days; broad beans, 100 days; peas, 75 to 100 days. The difference in the number of days allowed for plants of the same species to mature is-accounted for by the difference in the varieties grown, as some develop their crep much earlier than others, though it may not always follow that thev are the best varieties to grow. With many varieties of vegetables there are early, medium and late varieties listed, and in gardens where a succession of crops has to be maintained, by careful selection and sowing of these, their season of usefulness is prolonged. Crops growing in the more southerly and colder districts naturally take longer to mature than in our more northerly gardens, especially winter and early spring crops. , PBEPAJUHS THE SOIL. Although at this season conditions are often unfavourable for sowing, planting or working among growing crops, much can be done in breaking up and preparing land for future cropping. Ground, for instance, required for the planting Gf early potatoes, onions, asparagus and other crop 3 cannot be too well treated. As the season advamfea with its decreasing temperatures, plants require to be given every assistance that will in any way promote mere healthy root action and growth. This especially applies to all winter crops. HOWEEING PRIMULAS. A VARIETY OF TINTS. Primula maiacoides and its sub-varieties ara a. splendid and indispensable addition to the winter and spring flowering plants. They are-especially useful for bordering or planting near the edges of the beds, and in the rockery. The dainty little flowers are freely produced in handsome trassess on dwarf stems. This primula is admirably adapted to our wet winter conditions, and may be planted at any time during autumn or early winter. It Sowers after planting in a few weeks like most dwarf plants coming in at this season. The ground should have been previously prepared and enriched. -For au effective bonier display, arrange the plants from four to sis inches apart. Since the introduction of the original Qac coloured species, careful selection and C©s3 fertilisation has evolved pretty rose sod pink shades with the prospect of even, a crimson being obtained. There is already a pure white form. Dwarf Eclipse, a cew. variety, has a pleasing _ shade of depp lavender-pink larger than in any of the other varieties. Advance has large weSI-fcrmed rich-rose blossoms. Achievement is a clear pale rose-pink. Primula ntalneoidcs-is much valued for pot cultureThe Sowers of these ars pnzed lot. cut-purposes.