BEST ALL-ROUND MANURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1928, Page 14

BEST ALL-ROUND MANURE.

An excellent “complete” fertiliser which contains the three chief plant foods in the correct proportion for the majority of crops, is taken as a basis of the manuring system and further additions of sulphate of ammonia, super phosphate or potash are given as sidedressings to special crops as they require them. The garden fertiliser suggested for the above purpose is made up by mixing intimately together:— 71b sulphate of ammonia, 141 b superphosphate. 141 b steamed bone flour, 3Jib sulphate of potash. to make 281 b of garden manure. Perennial flowering plants should receive 3 to 4oz of garden fertiliser per squifre yard in the spring and autumn. Bulbs, such as hyacinths, daffodils, tulips, etc., may receive a dressing of garden fertiliser when two or three inches above the ground. Roses, besides being carefully pruned, should receive loz of garden fertiliser to each bush. A further sprinkling of sulphate of ammonia in December will prolong the flowering. Pot plants should receive small sprinklings of garden fertiliser at intervals during spring and summer. Chrysanthemums derive special benefit from periodical waterings with a solution of sulphate of ammonia, loz to 1 gallon of water to each half dozen plants. Aspidistras, palms, ferns, and all leafy plants are greatly stimulated by Occasional dressings of sulphate of ammonia. VEGETABLES FOR WINTER USE. It may appear out of place or at least premature to write about winter crops while summer lias only just begun. But it is one of the first principles of a gardener’s life cud work that lie lias constantly to be looking ahead and anticipating the -.-ants of his household in respect of the food supplies that are produced in the garden. From a purely economical point of view it is even more desirable to raise vegetables for winter use when market prices are usually high, than to grow them in summer when they are’ more plentiful and cheap. WHY V TO GROW. In the selection of vegetables for winter use, consideration must be given .to family tastes and prejudices. For instance, there are people, young folk especially, who do not'like leeks; savoys and kale are not so popular as they used to be, and broccoli is an uncertain crop in certain parts of the country. But be that as it may, the gardener will require to make up his mind at once as to the kind of vegetables that are to be grown, as planting should take place at once. BRUSSEL SPROUTS. Brussel sprouts are not only popu lar, but are a profitable winter crop. Plants may be obtained from a local nurseryman. The distance between the rows should not be less than two feet and 18 inches between the plants is sufficient space for most varieties. In common with other members of the brassica family, they like a good rich soil, but it must not be heavily manured, otherwise there is a tendency on ’he part of the plants to produce loose instead of firm buttons. CURLEY GREENS. Kale is similarly treated. As there is a great difference in the quality of this vegetable, try to obtain a dwarf, curLd variety. Tall growing sorts are sometimes distinguished by coarse leaves, which are not suitable for table use. CARROTS. When sown late, carrots are less liable to the attack of the <arrot fly maggot. The ground should be deeply due: over and a-r Gh* winter roots are.

larger when they reach maturity than those for summer use, thin out the seedlings to three inches. Always retain the strongest specimens and make the soil firm after it has been disturbed in the process of thinning. LEEKS. The leek is one of the most wholesome and hardy winter vegetables, and its food value is approximately‘ the same as the onion. Leeks crop well when transplanted in ground previously occupied by a crop of early potatoes. After forking the soil and removing the weeds, dibble a series of holes to a depth of Gin, hi rows sufficiently wide to allow the working of the hoc.