VEGETABLE CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21030, 14 November 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CROPS.

BENEFIT OF MULCHING. After a week of fine, warm weathei it is surprising how quickly the ground dries up, unless means are taken to conserve the moisture by frequent soil tillage or hy mulching. In addition to a nice loose surface, mulching, where practicable, is the best means of treating such crops as peas, beans, lettuce, cucumbers, marrows, rhubarb and other crops that are quickly affected by a dry spell. A good mulch is preferable to artificial watering, as frequent watering often has a hardening effect upon the soil, and unless the surface is kept frequently broken up the practice of watering is not productive of good results. Too often, however, sprinkling, instead of soaking, the soil is done, with the result that the roots are ijiduced to come to the surface, where they quickly suffer from the least neglect. The mulching should be applied while the soil is moist. Evaporation will then be checked and sufficient moisture retained to maintain healthy growth. NOURISHING THE ROOTS. Fr&n this time onward increasing heat and drier weather must naturally be expected, so that in preparing any ground for sowing or planting preparation should be made for the roots of the crops to be well nourished. In making further sowings of peas and beans a good plan is to open out trenches and to place in a good layer of well-decomposed manure or other vegetable matter. _ Cover with about 4in. of good, fine soil, in which the seeds are to be sown. In sowing other crops, too, the more deeply the ground is worked and manured the more satisfactory should brf the results. Timely attention to thinning is most essential. This should be done while the plants are small and can be removed without loosening and checking the plants left for the crop. CELERY TRENCHES. ESSENTIALS TO SUCCESS. The ground for planting out a few rows of celery for early use should be prepared. As an autumn and winter salad, or for flavouring soups and other dishes, few vegetables are more highly prized. In the production of well-grown, crisp heads of celery for salad purposes, however, well-decomposed manure is an all-im-portant factor. It is useless to try to grow first-class plants without a liberal supply of manure or other decayed vegetable matter. With the exception of the self-bleach-ing celery, the most successful method of culture is to plant in trenches, as this not only confines the manure where the plants will derive the fullest benefit from its 'use, but enables the cultivators to more conveniently earth-up the plants to secure complete bleaching of the stalks. Although the self-bleaching varieties are more extensively and more easily grown than the other varieties, there is no comparison with the crispness and flavour to well-grown plants that need earthing or other means of darkening until the plants are properly bleached and fit for use. DOUBLE OR SINGLE ROWS. In preparing the trenches the width will depend upon whether a double or single row is planted. For a single row a width of 12in. to 15in. is sufficient, the depth being regulated by the nature of the soil. In light, friable soil a depth of 9in. or lOin. should be out. In this a thick layer of well-decomposed manure or decomposed vegetable matter, at least 4in. in depth, should be placed in the bottom of the- trench and be lightly forked over. Upon this place 3in. or 4in. of good, rich soil, in which the plants should be planted, placing the plants about 9in. apart, in a straight line, along the middle of the trench. As soon as the plants recover from the shifting the new roots quickly search out the food they require, and make rapid growth. After planting, water and partially shade by covering the trench with a few twigs or branches until they recover from the shifting. The plants must not be allowed to suffer for the want of moisture. The main points in their culture for some time after planting will consist in keeping the plants supplied with moisture and free from weeds. PLANTING OF KUMARAS. PREPARING THE GROUND. The ground intended for kumnras should be well broken up and placed in readiness for planting. When planted in ground that has previously been well worked and that has received reasonable cultural attention, the plants usually produce satisfactory crops. Soils of a fairly light, gritty nature that havo been manured for a previous crop invariably result in good tubers being obtained. Though naturally heat-loving plants kumaras may bo planted throughout the present, month, or even up to early December, when rooted sets, ready for transplanting, are obtainable from almost of the Auckland seedsmen. In planting these, however, as with egg plants and other tender subjects, the best time to plant will in a great measure depend upon the soil situation and locality where grown. In warm, favourable situations and localities the planting may be proceeded with much earlier than would be safe in less favoured positions.