VEGETABLE CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20880, 23 May 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CROPS.

PREPARING THE SOIL. The substantial proportion of fine weather prevailing during the last few weeks has been all that could bo desired for breaking up and preparing all vacant land needed for future cropping, as well as for hoeing, digging, and loosening up the soil between all vegetable crops. Probably at 110 other season is the effect of keeping the soil frequently stirred more noticeable than during the autumn and winter, when every heavy rain so batters the surface as to deprive the roots of air and warmth at the time when they are mostly in need of all the assistance they can be given. Weeds at this time grow so rapidly, that unless kept in check, small seedling crops soon become covered and their growth checked. Slugs are again at a troublesome stage, but even these are more easily controlled, and the crops protected by keeping the soil well stirred, and the frpe uso of lime and other preventatives. Thinning should have attention before the plants become overcrowded and weakened, otherwise it is difficult to thin without loosening the roots of the plants that are left to form the crops. WELL-ADVANCED CROPS. Many of the earlier sown and planted crops are now well advanced in growth, and should be given every assistance. Many of the green crops especially, such as cabbages, cauliflowers and others of the brassica family, as well as leeks, spinach, lettuce, etc., after they once become thoroughly established, may be considerably assisted by an occasional and judicious application of nitrate of soda. This, however, is best applied just before rain or while it is raining, so that the nitrate is dissolved and washed down to the roots. In applying it, a little should be sprinkled around each plant, or along the sides of the rows, but not too close to the stem. In dry J weather, unless it is watered in, it crystalises on tho surface, and the plants receive little benfit while in that condition. THE CABBAGE FAMILY. Further plantings of cabbage and cauliflower should be made in well-manured ground. For autumn and winter use few vegetables are more in demand. They are, however, hungry subjects, and to obtain the most satisfactory results require to bo grown in ground that has been well enriched with manure. In making further sowings of onions for spring planting, select a warm' situation and soil that has been well enriched with manure. Form tho ground into a raised bed, and make the soil fairly firm before sowing. The seed should be sowu in drills instead of broadcast, as weeds can bp more easily kept under control. POTATO ONIONS AND SHALLOTS Potato onions and shallots should now be planted. This onion is a very profitable crop to grow, and invariably develops and is ready for use much earlier than the ordinary variety. They are of easy cultivation and succeed well in any good garden soil that has been well worked and manured for previous crops. At this time the bulbs are practically dormant, and may be obtained from any of the seedsmen. They are best planted in rows from 20in. to 2ft. apart, arranging the bulbs in tho rows lOin. to 12in. apart. Their after treatment consists in hoeing and keeping the soil around the plants freo from weeds. As tho plants advance in growth, and begin to reach maturiay, draw the earth lightly up to tho plants. Shallots are useful for early use. These are best planted in rows from 12in. to 15in. apart, the bulbs being placed about Sin. or 9in. apart in the rows. In planting, press tho bulbs into the soil with the hand until the bulbs are about three parts buried. Both potato onions and shallots succeed best when planted in soil that has been deeply worked and well manured. Garlic requires similar soil and treatment. Tho bulbs should be placed in rows 12in. apart, the sets being arranged 6in. apart in the row. Press tho bulbs in the soil a littlo more than half their depth. WINTER LETTUCE. ESSENTIALS OF SUCCESS. For winter-grown lettuce a raised bed should be formed in a warm sheltered position, and in ground that has been made rich with manure. The plants, too, will succeed best when allowed to grow where sown, as the fact that tho roots are undisturbed from the time they aro raised results in more rapid growth. They aro thus ready for uso more quickly than when plants of tho same age are lifted and transplanted. Before sowing, a fine, even surface should be formed, and in sowing, scatter tho lettuce seed evenly, but nO't too thickly, and lightly cover with fine good soil. As a protection from small birds, stretch lines of black cotton over the beds, and as soon as tho young plants appear, limo or other preventives must be applied to protect the plants from slugs. ASPARAGUS TOPS. The cutting down of the decayed tops of asparagus should no longer bo delayed. This, in fact, is always best to bo done as tho tops turn brown, and before the seeds ripen and fall, otherwise seedlings will grow and eventually cause trouble. Special note should be taken of this, so that any seedlings making their appearance can bo removed.