VEGETABLE CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21076, 9 January 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CROPS.

STIRRING OF THE SOIL. From this time onward frequent and good cultivation will play an important part in the growth of garden crops. In the vegetable garden particularly, quickness of growth and freshness, which is 60 essential in tho production of the' best vegetables for table use, can only bo maintained by frequent soil stirring. Up to the present, there has been little difficulty in this respect, tho frequent warm rains resulting jn exceptionally healthy vigorous growth and an abundant supply of almost every variety of seasonable crops. Bapid growth, however, is by no means confined to sown and planted crops, as weeds grow even more rapidly, and need almost persistent attention to deep hoeing or digging to keep them under control. In this respect weeds have an advantage as they often compel cultivation of soils that would otherwise remain un-. disturbed. 'Later crops, so far, have had every chance to succeed, especially peas, beans, spinach, lettuce, and other crops that need a fair amount of moisture to extend their season of usefulness, while further sowing can still be made of such crops for later use. As the season advances and drier weather is experienced, later grown crops will naturally need more careful cultivation, and means will have to be taken to provide the roots with the necessary moisture and food to ensure healthy growth. CONDITION OF THE SOIL. During the summer the success attained in the production of good vegetables depends so. much upon the condi-' tion of the soil at the time of sowing or planting that too much care cannot • be given -to-its-preparation. It is during the summer that the advantage of deeply worked soil and good cultivation is mostly in evidence, as in such soil the roots of young plants penetrate more deeply into the soil* and are not in con-! sequence so quickly affected in dry weather. Plants certainly vary in their requirements. Some, especially, cannot be grown. successfully during dry .weather without a plentiful supply of moisture. But even these will contmue to grow and remain healthy for a much longer period when grown in ground that, has . been deeply worked and provided with the necessary plant food. •> CELERY. PREPARING TRENCHES^ Some weeks ago attention was called to the importance of preparing the trenches for planting out the main crop of celery. As the present month is the best time to plant, no time should be lost in placing the soil in sH;h condition as will ensure the best resaHs. Remarks, too, were at that time made of the different methods of planting. Some growers prefer planting in double rows, while others, prefer planting a single row in each trench. In properly prepared soil, and under skilful treatment, they may be successfully grown under either method of planting, but for the amateur or less skilled grower the single row is without doubt the bsst method to adopt, as tho earthing up, when the plants attain to a suitable size, is more easily performed, and the plants being more open to the light and the freer circulation of air, are less liable to disease than when more crowded together. To attain the greatest success, celery plants should be grown with as little check as possible, from the time the plants are raised until ready for use. The plants are gross feeders, so that tho trenches should be provided with well decomposed manure, and the plants should not be allowed to suffer for the want of moisture. Water the plants before lifting and after planting if necessary. If bright sunny weather prevails at the time of planting, a light snade, until the plants are established, will be beneficial.' LEEKS. Looks succeed best by placing the manure in trenches as for celery. Aftor refilling tho trenches with gool soil, draw drills about four inches deep. On planting dibble the holes deep enough to allow the roots to bo placed two or three inches below tho bottom of the drills. This will allow for at least six inches of bleached stem by the time the drills are again filled up, while further bleaching, if desared can be obtained by a little further earthing up. All ground required for. future sowing and planting, should bo deeply dug over, and placed in the best possiblo condition for sowing awl planting. BUDDING FRUIT TREES. At tho timo of summer pruning a note should bo taken of any trees that have proved unsatisfactory, so that they may be rebudded during tho present season. Budding or grafting is a means whereby any ulterior or unprofitable trees can bo changed to more approved varieties that are known to succeed well and that are better suited to tho requirements of the grower. Even large, well-established trees, so long as tlioy aro in a healthy growing condition, quickly form a new head and into bearing much more quickly by budding than would bo obtained by grubbing out and replacing with young trees. Another advantago of budding is that some varieties can bo more successfully budded than grafted, particularly peaches, nectarines, apricots and plum's. But whatever the. variety to be worked tho stock should in every case be in such n condition that, the bark separates freely from tho wood.