VEGETABLE GARDEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21224, 2 July 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE GARDEN.

WINTER OPERATIONS. Winter vegetables arc chiefly confined to such crops as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, silver beet, celery, leeks and other crops, such as carrots, parsnips, beet and turnips, though in warm, favourable situations there are lettuce and a few other varieties. But while all crops succeed better when they can be kept frequently stirred, none lespond more readily to frequent and good cultivation than the members of the brassica family, as well as spinach and other green crops. With such crops many weeks are gained in the growth and development of the plants where frequent and good cultivation is practised. For this reason the first operation when weather permits and the soil is dry enough to work is to thoroughly loosen up the soil between the crops, as the battered, solid surface formed by the rains deprives the roots of air and warmth, which are so essential to healthy root growth. APPLICATION OP MANURES. Before hoeing or digging between the plants a light sprinkling of nitrate of soda, applied around the plants, will greatly assist growth. For cabbage and other of a brassica family, and also for other green crops, it is an excellent stimulant, and can be applied at the rate of from two to three pounds to each 40 square yards, according to the strength of the plants. Being an easily soluble manure, it is waste to apply more than the plants can take in at one dressing. Applied in smaller dressings at intervals of about three weeks, the plants will continue to make healthy, vigorous growth. The foliage, however, must be kept as free as possible from the material applied. With root crops that require assistance to hasten their growth an occasional application of superphosphate is the best stimulant. ATTENTION TO RHUBARB. Rhubarb, especially the winter variety, will at this time be greatly benefited by a good dressing of super or other good stimulating manure. With reasonable treatment this variety will continue to produce an abundant supply of young tender stalks, until well into the summer, or, at any rate, until the summer varieties come in. The latter varieties are now quite dormant, so that in cases where the plants have become exhausted or show signs of deterioration, it is advisable to lift them and leave them on the ground until the timo for dividing the crowns and transplanting.

With some of the largest-stalked varieties of rhubarb tho only method of increasing and renewing tho plants is by thp division of tho crowns and roots. With tho variety mostly grown,' however (Victoria), strong seedling plants aro easily procurable from nurserymen or seedsmen. In preparing for now plantations, whatever tho variety of rhubarb to bo planted, tho ground cannot bo too deeply worked or thoroughly manured. EARLY POTATOES. As soon as weather permits tho plant-ing-out of potatoes that have been sprouted should bo mado for an early crop. It is too great a risk, however, at this season to plant in situations that are liable to severe frosts. Tho warmest and driest position should bo solocted, and if tho sets have been sprouted and ready, they should only bo placed deep enough to just cover tho sprouts with an inch or two of fine soil. Warmth at this sonson is what the roots require, and this can bo best attained by keeping the plats well earthed up, as thoy advance in growth. SOWINGS OP PEAS. Tho situation most suitable for the growing of early potatoes should bo equally adapted for tho growing of early peas. Tho ground for theso, however, requires to be deeply worked and well manured, so as to provide a ready outlet for surplus moisture. Few vegetables grown arc more highly esteemed than wellgrown peas, and ths longer their season of usefulness can bo extended, tho more they aro appreciated. For this reason early sowings of tho most approved and best-cropping early varieties aro always worth tho risk. The pea is a fairly hardy subject, arid will stand a fair amount of frost, without the foliage being injured, though tho warmer and bettor tho soil and position, tho more successful will bo tho growth and crop obtained. Pens invariably thrive and produce better crops when grown in soils that are well provided with humus. Where animal manures aro not obtainable a good heavy green crop, dug in tho ground, will assist to restoro much of the essential food material to the soil. An inch of covering of good, fine soil .is ample for this season's sowing of peas. For sowing fairly wide, shallow drills should be drawn and the seeds placed more thickly than for spring or summer sowings, so as to provide against loss by birds or other pests: As soon as the plants show through tho soil stretch strands of black Cotton over the rows to protect the seedlings from small birds. To protect the plants from slugs the free use of lime or other slug preventives should bo resorted to.