THE GARDEN

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11505, 28 April 1923, Page 13

THE GARDEN

Notes by Rata.

IN THE VEGETABLE CARDEN. SOW BROAD BEANS. PLANT OUT CABBAGE AND CAULIFLOWER FOR SPRING CROP. PREPARE VACANT GROUND FOR CROPS BY MANURING AND TRENCHING. PLANT' POTATO AND TREE ONIONS. IN THE FLOWER GARDEN. CONTINUE TO PLANT SPRING FLOWERING BULBS. PLANT EVERGREEN SHRUBS. GIVE AZALEAS AND CAMELLIAS WHICH ARE SHOWING THEIR FLOWERING BUDS A WATERING OF WEAK LIQUID MANURE. STRIKE CARNATION CUTTINGS. PLANT OUT STOCK SEEDLINGS. SOW GODETIA, GEUM, DIANTHUS, AND SWEET PEA SEED. . ' • .

VEGETABLE GARDEN

BROAD BEANS. The value of braod beans as a vegetable can hardly be over estimated. They contain a good percentage of protein, which is beneficial to the human system. Broad' beans are amongst the earnest vegetables to grow, ajs they make themselves at home in almost any soil. They, however, prefer to be grown in the cool weather, henoe the reason of sowing in. the months of March, April, and May, when they will repay this consideration by producing in the early spring quantities of large, plump boans for the table. Although there are many who do not care far the flavour of broad beaus, there are others who can scarcely wait for the time to sow them to come round. The seed should be sown, in rows about three feet apart, placing the seeds six to nine inches apart. After sowing tho soil should be given a light dusting with lime, as bread beans are particularly benefitted by the use of lime. •». - ■ »- -<■-•- Surface cultivation between the rows will keep the ground in good order. When the first flowers appear the tops should be pinched out or the plants to ensure quicker setting of the pods. Leviathan long pod is a very good variety to sow now. Vacant ground Prepare vacant ground ror crops by trenching and manuring. There is no better time for this work than the pro-, sent. Ground which has been well manured and deeply dug at this time of year, and then left for the frosts and winter pains to operate on, will produce far superior crops to that which is dug in the spring ; and then immediately planted. ■ As-the work of manuring' and trenching proceeds a dressing of lime should be liberally applied to the surface of the newly-turned up noil. This will not only keep insect pests in check, but will materially improve the condition of- the soil both-for working and cropping. » - Weeds and soft vegetable matter can all be placed at the bottom of a deep trench and will be most beneficial, especially if covered with manure' previous to being dug in, as this will hasten the process of decaying and form a good layer of humus. The hoe should he kept at work, so that no weeds are allowed to seed, for if left thdy'will'’roon. " germinate and cause a lot of. extra .labour, .later on. RHUBARB As soon, as the leaves of rhubarb have died down, a few of the crowns should be lifted and exposed "to the sun to ripen and rest. Roots which are treated in this way produce quicker and better stalks than those which are lifted and started off at once. Forced rhubarb is very much appreciated, coming as it does, when very little other fruit is available.

IN THE FLOWER GARDZN

CARNATION GROWING. It is well known that the saying “Prevention is better than cure,” is particularly applicable to carnation®. Everything will he well if the plants, are kept healthy, but once iuaeaaal makes its appearance, unless checked 1 at once, matters become -serious, per--ticularly sc in the case of those who grow the blooms as a means of livelihood. Carnations indude many varieties and classes, but tbe moot universally i grown are Perpetual Show, and Per-: petual Decorative. Tbe former baa; 6hell-shaped petals which are smooth! edged, and the iatterType has petals ; with Hinged and serrated edges. Both types have their admirers, bat for all-round usefulness - the decorative class is recommended on account of its hardihood and free flowering: habit. There are great differences of opinion on tbe subject of the class of soil needed to (successfully grow carnal tions. ' Some growers prefer sandy loam. Others say this class cf soil is not a bit of good. The truth is, its the grower that matters—not qhe Boil. Tbe right sort of grower will soon fix the soil, and make it into a suitable condition. Heavy roils are broken down by work ing in sand, manure, old mortar, ashes and lime, to bring it into a friable condition, to which end, plenty of work with spade and fork alao helps. Sandy soil .is given body and substance by many quantities of rotted oow manure, dug in and subsequent applications of lune, which, strangely enough, binds sandy soil, and yet makes clay more friable and easily worked. . Soil must be sweet and free from sourness, or it will furnish a source for all the diseases to which carnations are subject, therefore it b of vital 2*oed to have thorough drainage. Carnations cannot remain healthy in badly drained land, and as disease first attacks plants that are not strong, it is obvious that there is a great risk stakes if the soil-, is undrained, as such diseases, as rtist, purple spot, root and stem rot and mite 3, are only contracted when the conditions for drainage are unfavourable. A grower who plants large number* of carnations to produce Bowers for , market, - without first assuring perfect drainage is surely “building his house on a sandhill.'* Surface drainage is easily seen to by making the beds high and paths low. running the water off by means of gutters. Underground drainage most be effected either with drain pipes or by rubble drains in the subsoil. The aforementioned carnation diseases will be dealt with in next week’s article.