VEGETABLE CROPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21326, 29 October 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CROPS

WARM WEATHER SUBJECTS With the approach of November the sowing in the open ground of most of the semi-tropical crops, such as cucumbers, rock and water melons, marrows, pumpkins and sweet corn, as well as the planting out of kumaras, cape gooseberries, egg plants, capsicum, and similar tender subjects, may be proceeded with. Probably several of the former varieties have been already sown and successfully raised if protected by covering with boxes and glass as advised for early sowing. More favourable weather at any rate is rarely experienced. All these subjects require plenty of warmth in the soil as well as a warm air v temperature. They rarely succeed well until such conditions exist, and it frequently happens that plant* raised from present sowings will often supersede those sown earlier. TRAILING PLANTS In preparing the ground for trailing plants such as cucumbers, marrows, melons, etc., the 6oil should be dug and be well brokcc up, so that the roots can extend unchecked. This is preferable to simply digging holes where the seed is to bo sown as such small patches of soil coon become parched when dry weather teets in, necessitating frequent watering to avoid failures. In arranging the plots for sowing the following distances are suitable for the different varieties:—Cucumbers and rock melons, sft. to 6ft. apart each way; water melons, Bft. to 10ft apart, according to the varieties grown, as some cover a wider range than others; pie or citron melon, a slightly greater distance. NEEDS OP CUCUMBERS Cucumbers luxuriate in rich soil, well decomposed stable manure if possible being applied. Failing this well rotted weeds or other vegetable mailer may be used. The mound or holes filled with either of these materials will not only provide the plants with the necessary food but will assist to retail} moisture which is so essential •'to ensure healthy growth and fruitfulness. Cucumbers, when growing freely, are naturally mois-ture-loving plants and quickly deteriorate if allowed to suffer for the want of it. Rock melons succeed best if grown in good loamy soil that has been manured for a previous crop, no fresh manure being applied before sowing. The soil should be made firm before inserting the seed. WATER MELONS In preparing the ground for water melons good wide holes should ba dug to the full depth of the spade. Place in some well decomposed manure and fork up the bottom so that the manure is well incorporated with the soil. After the plots are prepared fill up the surface with nice fine soil in which the seed should be sown. A common practice is to form raised mounds. Sowing, however, on a level surface is preferable as the plants are less exposed to the winds, and are not so easily affected by .dry weather. Water melons succeed best when gown in soils of a sandy or gritty nature. All melons naturally do best in warm, sheltered positions as few plants suffer more quickly from erratic weather. Cold harsh winds after the plants are raised often result in such a severe check that the plants fail to recover sufficiently to be of much fruiting value. When sowing sufficient seed should be sown to allow of about three of the strongest plants to grow from each plot, after thinning. The next important matter, as the plants advance in growth, is to endeavour to protect them from aphis. Although these rarely attack the plants until hot, dry weather sets in, it is always better to be on the alert. Upon the least signs of their appearance 6pray the plants well with Black Leaf 40 which is a deadly decoction for most "aphides. EGG PLANTS The egg plant (Solanum Melongena) is a vegetable that is coming into favour, but so far most of this fruit marketed in Auckland is grown in the Islands. It can, however, be successfully grown in many Auckland gardens if sown early under glass and planted out when there is an abundance of heat in the soil. It is naturally a tender subject and requires to be raised in heat and grown on in pots or boxes so as to be ready for planting out toward the end of November or in early December. After planting or until the plants are established they must not be allowed to suffer for the want of moisture. To obtain the greatest success egg plants require to be grown without check from the time the plants are raised until the fruit is matured. Once the plants have become well established ,in deeply worked, well prepared soil, they require little further assistance beyond keeping the ground free from weeds, and perhaps lightly mulching should extra dry. weather prevail. A \yarm sheltered position is naturally most favourable for these plants. KUMARAS Kumaras, too. nre best if planted when there is plenty of heat in the soil. They may be planted at any timo up to the end of November when favourable conditions prevail. Plants ready for setting are procurable from any of the seedsmen at comparatively cheap rates.