TUB VEGETABLE GARDEN

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 12 September 1919, Page 4

TUB VEGETABLE GARDEN

i-OMK rS!:!'!'!, HINTS Among amateur gardeners IhCl'C are I'o.v core populur or highly appreciated vegetables than runner k'nns. Whether they are required solely for (he tabic or for exhibiting, good long fleshy pods arc indispensable dining the bite muiii-

mer ami autumn. As the plants arc voracious feeders and appreciate a cool ii-oisi- root run, no pains should be spired in providing them with these. The thick fleshy roots penetrate lite soil io a considerable depth, so it pays to break up the soil and subsoil to as great a depth as possible. Willi the lower spits plenty of good well-decayed manure should be worked in. With <he top spit it is a good plan to mix some boaedusl, a good handful to eat-h ■■ ard of row. If the ground can be prepared at or.ee so much the better. :o as to give il plenty of time to settle before the seeds are sown. The best ::me to do this is the first week in November. The young plants arc very easily injured by frost, -wind or wet, ami therefore it is in:ul\ isable to sow arlicr than the time named. A good oh;:! in cold districts, and where early '•rops arc v.anted is to sow the seeds ; n large pots, and to firing the plants .■■. long in a cold frame. They can then be transferred to their permanent quar-

ters when they are ready. When such i system is adopted it is highly essential that the plants be grown as sturdily as possible; any attempt; at for•ing growth in a high temperature will result in weak, attenuated plants that .-.ill never give good results. In sowing outside it is r. good plan to sow in a i;ench a .few inches deep, so that if

\ie plants have to bo watered the water (loos not run away i'rwom them. The ::;-c;1 - should never be sown closer ,'i:vn nine inches apart and about two

inches deep. V.hon the young plants conic up steps must be taken to guard them against .slugs, which arc particularly i'ond of: them. Apart from trao,»:ng the posts, whirh is the most satistV.c.orv method of all, some line coal

r.shos. soot, or soot and lime may be sprinkled round the plants. As soon as the plants begin to run. stout stakes, siring or coarse netting should be phieo,! for them to climb up. Six feet !•• ..-.iiio high enough, though the plants

will easily climb twice that height if ifcy are-allowed to. During hot woaiher plenty of water must be given to ihe plants, and a litllo liquid manure will helii to increase the size of the oods. Leek seed should bo sown now in well prepared nnd manured soil. When the weather gets dry they will lie much benefited by being' given oloo- •■- of water. The larger the seedlings c:ni be grown before they are pu! out .he better (he crop and the easier to manage. The main crops of carrots and parsnips can be sown now. The ground should not have been freshly manured i'ev these crops. Silver beet sown now will give a splendid return of leaves :ind stalks all through the autumn and '.viator, and even if it is not liked in ihe house it is one of the most useful things to grow for poultry. Sow peas ,:::(1 French beans now. and keep on sowing for successive crops until the ..•iid of January. i'riek out tomato •ilants as soon as they are large enough. •,o handle, and if eolci-y has not been

c.iwn get in as soon us possible and iriek out into well-manured boxes as <oon as possible. A little manure in die bottom of a box covered with an inch or two or nice light soil will bring ihcm along very quickly.