FOR ALLOTMENT HOLDERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22830, 14 March 1936, Page 21

FOR ALLOTMENT HOLDERS

Doubtless, some people run allotments purely for the pleasure of working the ground and watching crops grow, but the majority seek to .get as good a return as possible for the cash expended and the labour put into the task of cultivation. There is money's -worth in good wholesome vegetables and salads grown by the man who has a family to feed, and therein lies the chief reason for working allotments.

| It follows that to get the best returns I one must be careful in regard to monev spent. There must be no extravagance, no waste, but it is equally true that it is folly to expect jiood yields from any piece. of land if nothing good is put into it. Buying the cheapest seeds in some general store may be a means of holding on to a shilling or two at the beginning of spring, but quality crops are only obtainable from seeds of good, carefully selected stock. It is not economy to begrudge the price of first-class seed. The way to avoid wasting money in this connection is to study good books and catalogues and work out a cropping scheme, • so that a succession of reasonable quantities of vegetables may be available for use as they are wanted with no great batches at any one time lest half a crop cannot be used while in good condition. It may mean quite, small packets of seed of several kinds, and in some cases the plan will be to sow just a little of something good three or perhaps four times between early spring and mid-summer. Soil must be nourished in order t° P l| t quality into vegetables as well as to produce quantity. It is not waste of money to buy good manure and fertilisers if only care "is .exercised to sec that they arc used at the proper time and are not allowed to lie about where they get wet and lose virtue before they get into the ground. The best means of ensuring good returns for money spent is to put. good work into the land. Use a full-depth spade and fork for digging because deep digging is a great factor in successful culture. Do not let land lie undug until it is time seeds were in or other things were planted. Always remember that overcrowding will not increase the yield of a crop; in a good many cases thin planting produces greater quantity as well as, quality, because every plant is enabled to develop properly, whereas by overcrowding all are handicapped to an extent that prevents any of the batch reaching good form or substance. Weeds take a lot of money out ol allotment holders' pockets. The work of a Dutch hoe is money-saving, and if it is pursued before weeds actually show themselves the saving is the greater, and there is the additional advantage that the loosened surface enables air to percolate and do its share in the transformation of manures into plant food. Again when a spell of dry weather sets in the loose tilth overlaying the firmer fcoil beneath docs much to check evaporation of moisture from below. It will often be necessary to do some hand weeding as well as hoeing, especially among rows of seedlings. There is less risk of damaging seedlings if the weeds are drawn out while tiny, and the work is done more easily than when roots become strong and entangled. . Great importance attaches to systematic feeding with fertilisers and liquid manure during the growing season. Little and often is the right idea, but in regard toliquid manure the " little applies to strength, and not to volume of water. It does no good just to wet the surface witli a strong liquor, but a weak solution should be applied in sufficient quantity to soak right down to the lull extent of the roots. Dear in mind that weeds will Hoinish on the same kinds of foods which will nourish the vegetable crops, hcUeC the extravagance of nourishing weedridden ground.-" Domarin." in Amateur Gardening.