VEGETABLE CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21153, 9 April 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CROPS.

SEASONABLE WORK. Every advantage should be taken of : favourable conditions, when much of the ground is cleared of it 3 crops, for making , any alteration in the garden, such as the rearranging of the paths and selecting and i preparing the most suitable plots for the crops to be grown. For the planning and formation of new gardens 100, if full advantage has been taken of favourable weather, tho work should now bo well advanced. In planning new gardens a plot should always bo sot aside for the growing of vegetables, salads, and the varieties of herbs mostly in demand. It is surprising tho amount of vegetables that can be grown in a comparatively small area providing reasonable attention is given to successional sowing and planting, and how interesting the work becomes in watching the progress made by the crops, sown or planted. Tho chief advantage, however, i.s that once the garden is furnished with crops that they are close at hand when required and their freshness is assured, while with reasonable care in successional sowings, useful crops can be maintained throughout tho whole year. PREPARING THE SOIL. In preparing the ground for vegetables, tho growth of tho crops naturally depend upon the condition of the soil. Whether the ground has been properly manured, deeply worked and brought into a productive condition before cropping, for otherwise the production of good vegetables is no easy matter. Stable or other animal manure may not always be obtainable for the purpose, but there arc various fertilising manures specially prepared for vogetabla culture that are obtainable at moderate cost, and that give excellent results when judiciously applied. Land of a stiff, clay natfiro can be considerably improved by tho free use of lime. Burning all garden refuse and distributing the ashes, as well as sowing down in green crops for turning under, will soon render the soil more easy to cultivate—in fact any vegetables dug in when practically dccayod assist to lighten the land and arid humus to the soil. CELERY TRENCHES. ESSENTIALS TO SUCCESS. Winter celery that has been planted in trenches is now making rapid growth and needs to be kept clean and free from weeds. Tho liberal quantity of manure required to grow this crop successfully results in an abundant crop of weeds that necessitate frequent cleaning to prevent the plants becoming checked in their growth. There are few vegetables that are more highly prized than celery. ]n tho fresh state it is esteemed when cooked and used as a vegetable. For flavouring soups, celery is one of tho most agreeable ingredients, but it is when properly grown and nicely bleached that it is most highly prized for salad use. Tho self-bleaching varieties, it is true, are more extensively cultivated by market growers as if enl-ails much less labour in bleaching, while it comes into uso earlier. When grown purely for salad purposes, however, there is no comparison in tho crispnoss and flavour of tho self-blenching varieties to tliose <>f tho mora solid stalk kind such as solid white or Major Clark's lied. With such varieties, if tho plants have been set out in rows as directed, tho early plants should bo sufficiently advanced for earthing. There is no advantage, however, in starting to earth up until tho plants are well advanced in growth. Tf this is done there is certainly a greater risk of the centres or hearts rotting, but in any case a large body of earth placed around the plants must in some measure check the growth, as it excludes a certain amount' of air and warmth from tho roots.

The safest plan is to allow the plants to attain nearly to their full size when they are well-furnished with plenty of good, healthy foliage. The earthing should bo performed when the soil is fairly dry, and every care taken to keep tho soil from tho centres of tho plants. Tho safest plan is to carofully pack tho stalks closely together and placo a tio around each plant before commencing to placo tho soil around them. As tho earthing proceeds, and tho soil is closely and firmly packed around the plants tho tio can be raised nearer the surface or removed, although if raffia grass is used it invariably rots before it has time to cut into tho stalk.

TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Camellia," Pokeno.—After tho camellias have done flowering is the proper tii)io for tho pruning. M.IL, Pelorus Sound.—The specimens are:—l. Albizzia lophantha, a native of Australia. 2. Buddleia Veitchii, a hybrid variety. 3. Hypericum nndrosnemum, one of the St. John's worts, a common weed. " Tulips," Te Aroha.—The tulip bulbs are affected with a species of mould. You state that they were quite sound and free from disease when taken up. Tho affection must have occurred after storing them. The place may have been too damp. Dusting the bulbs with sulphur would have been a preventive. " Roller," St. Ileliers.—Dolichos, or aphanpetalum, are two suitable varieties of climbers for exposed, draughty position. They would grow closelv upon an Bft. high trellis. The ficus would not bo suitable. Plant'the climbers 3ft. apart. Unless the grass grubs are in the soil, precautions when sowing the grass aro unnecessary. " Reader," Tauranga.—Topp's winter rhubarb may bo transplanted now with safety. Cut the 'tops olf t.. within a few inches of the crown. From the stump of tho broken fi" tree allow the small shoots to crow until the leaves have fallen after maturing. Darin- the winter cut, off all excepting the strongest. JJcmove this to form a new tree.

Mrs M.1., Otorohanga.—Oak leaves nre afTt'.cled by a minute species of fungus, coining at this season when the leaves are approaching maturity. It should not materially affect the tree. Old trees would bo difficult to treat, but your tree upon which Iho infection exists, being young, should bo sprayed with Bordeaux mixture, tho C-4-40 formula, or with soluble sulphur. Boz. to five gallons ol water, well wetting the under-sidea of tho leaves. " Physalis," Dominion Road—The phyaalis, tho bladder or inflated calyx, when the fruit are ripa, assumes a brilliant colour and is highly ornamental. This becomes skeletonised if left too long upon tho plant That has happened with your fruit and not from any insect attacking the ° llte r husks You should have gathered them sooner. Cape gooseberries become skeletonised if left too long after ripening. the proper pronunciation is phy-salis. a long accent over the y. DC., Taihape.—The specimens are:—Tho species with small leaves, brown-red bark. n „d bright red berries is A.nstotelia frutieasa. The species with thick coriaceous leaves is Senec.jo Bidwillii, a robust, small alpine Hlirub. The small, erect shrub leaves, much recurved, is Drucophyllum rccuivum, the red heath. The specimen with flowers 011 slender stem is Gentiana Grisebachu. The twig with leaves of various forms, some linear and dense cyprus-like. is tho Dacrydium Bidwillii, tho mountain pine. Ii IT J Saies.—The blackberry leaves in tin ' are" attacked with a species of rust fungus that might bo of value in controlling the blackberry nuisance. Years ago this fungus was seen upon the Lawton variety. Tho varieties and variations are now numerous. The leaves you have sent appear to ho a small-leaved form of tho common blackberry. Further information concerning tho spread of the fungus and effect upon the plants attacked would bo appreciated No doubt Cawtliron Institute, ISel--8011. liavo had the fungus under observation. You should send sample loaves affected and communicate, with tho institute, giving all particulars. •' Amateur," Ngatea.—The pencil leaves are attacked with the peach rust. Ihe leaves become more or less freckled with small yellow spots that increase and gradually rise to a mass of spores, forming a brownish diißt when mature. Tho leaves turn yellow and fall off prematurely. Sprav during Ilia winter with lime sulphur, and, as the buds are swelling, in tho spring spray with Bordeaux mixturo, the 8-0-40 formula. When tho fruits have set spray with the soluble sulphur mixture. 111., to 10 gallons of water. (live another application a fortnight later, continuing at intervals until the fruit begin to ripen. 'I his applies to thi rot that is also affecting your fruit - Kkpos.