ROUTINE GARDEN WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20628, 29 July 1930, Page 14

ROUTINE GARDEN WORK.

PREPARING FOR CROPS.

Tho cabbage and cauliflower plants raised in the autumn will bo large enough to plant out in a very short while now, and the ground should be made ready for their reception. Well-worked soil is necessary for both of these crops, so tho plots should bo dug over deeply. About a weok after this initial work has been done, some compost or well-rotted stable manure should be worked in. As the crops for which tho ground is being made ready aro surface-rooting, this material should ba kept near to tho surface. Tho rest of the cultural preparations consist of forking tin plot ovor about two weeks later, and after a few days tho planting may bo done. jj uring the preparations tho plot must bo given a good dressing of lime, in order to discourage tho club-root fungus. Sour soils encourage this discaso and tho Jimo is used to sweeten tho ground. Sulphur also has a beneficial effect in this respect, and a dressing will keep the plants free of the club-root. Excessive uso of organic manuro is to ho avoided, as it favours the spread of tho club-root. Of tho fertilisers, therefore, sulphate of aminouia should be used as much as possiblo as it is the commonest nitrogenous one of an inorganic origin. A bed for an early batch of lettuce should bo prepared at any time now. The main thing to keep in mind is that lettuces must inalco quick growth to bo of tho finost quality. An abundance of food is required, and thero is no better preparation than to incorporate compost or properly decayed stablo manure. If procurable, cow manuro is also good after it has been stacked for some timo in a heap. Tho bed should bo dug ovor before any manure is worked in, though, as lettuce is another surfaco feeding crop. A loose, friablo condition in tho soil should bo produced by thoroughly working tho ground several times. J>ettuco greatly appreciates a freo rooting medium. A raised bed for lottuco at this time of the year is most advisable, as much bettor results aro obtained from.' this method. A bed about 6in. higher than tho rest of tho garden will possess much better drainage than one on tho ordinary lovel. If tho planting in the near future is not to be a largo ono, tho formation of a ridgo in placo of tho raised bod is recommended. Sulphato of ammonia may bo applied to tho plots mentioned nbovo in quantities ranging from Aoz. to lfo*. per square yai'd according to the richness of tho ground and tho quantity of compost worked in. A sowing of radish may be maclo any timo notf in a plot of good soil. Quick growth in this crop is ilesirablo but ."ampinl dev.»!opmßnt o reduces "aiislics of i ''en itror.jj labour :\:coH:np tc the condition of the .soil befofiKand, one should work in a quantity of Compost' or similar material.