VEGETABLE CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20740, 6 December 1930, Page 5 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CROPS.

MUCH WORK TO BE DONE.

With the favourable change in the weather work in the garden should be actively resumed, every effort being made to place tho garden in as neat and tidy a condition as possible for tho holiday season. For some time past, owing to the frequent rains and wet condition of the soil, it has been almost impossible to keep weeds under control. Weeds in any case, in such weather always grow far moro rapidly than sovm or planted crops, and quickly rob the plants of much of their food and weaken their growth. The best method of dealing with these, especially after a period of heavy rains, is to lightly dig and turn under the weeds between the rows. By this means the ground 13 well loosened,„ allowing tho air and warmth to percolate and invigorate root growth. Frequent and deep hoeing can then be done more effectively, and the weeds kept under control.

At the time of weeding the thinning of seedling crops should have attention. Such crops as carrots, turnips, beet, and similar crops are often left to grow fairly closely with the view of further thinning when the plants attain a useable sizo. This is all right for autumn and winter sowing, but with the summer crops the plants rob each other of the necessary moisture and soon rendor tho whole crop unfit for use. SUCCESSIONAL SOWINGS. Successional sowings should still bo made of peas, -dwarf and runner beans, carrots, spinach, beet, parsnips, garden swedes, lettuce and sweet corn. The ground for all late crops should be placed in the best possible condition to ensure healthy vigorous growth. Broccoli, Brussell sprouts, savoy cabbage, and other col worts that take a long time to mature should now be planted. Grouud from which spent crops have been taken if deeply dug and well-manured should be in good condition for such crops. Like most members of tho brassica family, however, they are gross feeding plants, and require the ground to be well enriched with manure to obtain the best results. PLANTING OF KUMARAS. Kumaras may now be planted with every chance of success, providing tho ground has been well worked and brought into fine tilth for planting. As stated in previous notes too rich ground is by no means an advantage. Neither is it advisable to break tho soil up to too great a depth for this crop. Nine to lOin. of well broken fine soil will invariably produce a larger crop and finer tubers than when planted in deeply worked alluvial soil.

CUCUMBERS AND MELONS. Cucumbers, melons, marrows and pumpkins are later than usual in starting into growth, and should be given every assistance. As soon as the plants start to run pinch out the tips of tho leading shoots to encourage moro lateral growth and fruit to form. This should be done from time to time as tho plants advance in growth. Up to tho present thero has been little risk of tho fly (or aphis) attacking the plants, with tho change to warmer weather, however, a closo watch should bo kept, and upon the slightest appearance of theso pests tho plants should bo at onco sprayed with Black Leaf 40 or other insecticide.

TREES AND SHRUBS. ABUNDANCE OF BLOSSOMS. At this season of the year private gardens and grounds and public parks and other plantations present a most charming and refreshing appearance. The rich verdure of tho grass and the many and varied tints of foliage that clothe tho trees, shrubs and other members of tho vegetable kingdom contrast with the wealth of flowers that aro to be seen on every side. Hedgerows aro in their full vigour of new growth; some, too, notably tho hawthorn, are a profusion of blossoms. Climbing roses are among tho gayest ornaments of tho garden, surpassing all other flowers in beauty, fragrance and abundance of blossoms.

Roses aro about at their best. Notwithstanding tho many and rapid changes that have taken place in ornamontal horticulture the rose still retains tho proud position that it ha 3 occupied from time immemorial. Developments that are still taking place promise to add more fame to this ever-popular genus.

Laburnums, lilacs, deutzias, diervillaa or weigelias, also philadolphus or mock oranges, whoso deliciously scented flowers permeate tho garden with their delightful fragrance, greatly add to the enjoyment of tho garden and grounds at this season. Insects have not commenced their depredations ; consequently the foliage of tho trees and shrubs is entire and to be seen in all its beauty.