THE GARDEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12070, 27 July 1917, Page 3

THE GARDEN.

WORK FOR THE WEEK, KITCHEN GARDEN". Seeds to Sow.—Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cress, lettuce and peas. What to Plant.—Asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic, potatoes, rhubarb and sea kale. The present high price of vegetables should remind us how important it is at all times to grow as many as wo possibly can, but greater efforts should be made during war time. Last spring we advised our readers to raiso as many winter vegetables as possible, and events have justified that advice. Tho present shortage is not clue to lack of attempt, but to the cabbage fly and green aphis which destroyed hundreds of pounds' worth of green vegetables. Some market gardeners lost acres of cauliflower and broccoli, cabbage, etc. Let us hope that many seasons will pass before they experience another such serious loss. Unfortunately there are no signs of improvement in the economic conditions. Prices of foodstuffs are getting higher rather than lower. This fact should stimulate a big effort to raise as many winter vegetables as possiblo for next season.

This effort should not be left to market gardeners; everyone who has a section, no matter how small, should cultivate it to its utmost capacity.

The Red Gross units could dispose of largo quantities of produce every week to increase its funds. This increased distribution of vegetables might create a greater taste or demand from tho public, after the war is over, a result that would improve the general health of the people and increase the business of jnarkei gardeners. The season for planting potatoes is at hand, and a lew remarks on potato culture may be useful. Deep cultivation is profitable; it conserves a greater quantity of moisture during a spell of dry weather. Good farmyard manure and basic slag in moderate quantities are suitable. "Dig in tho manure during the winter, and tho slag at the rate of one pound to fivo square yards, and when the tubers are planted, dust an ounce to eacli square yard. One point to remember is, that tho plant obtains a lot of food from the carbonic; acid gas in tho atmosphere. and therefore each stem should have plenty of room to enable it and the leaves to do their work. Tf they are overcrowded the grealt'er part becomes a burden, instead of a help, in developing the crop. Keep this in mind when selecting tho seed. Do not study sizo only, but note the number of eyes. A great proportion of tubers offered as seed are just undeveloped 'tubers, with just as many eyes as those four times bigger. Some people say you can rub off what you do not want. This is obvious, but tho remaining eyes cannot make such strong shoots, as will come from tho same sized tuber with less than half the number of eyes. It would bo more profitable to buy larger tubers and cut them.

The distance between tho plants must be governed by the variety. Some have strong haulm with big leaves, others, such as Sharp's Victor, short stems, with narrow segments on the leaves. A fair distance for the Sharp's Victor would bo fifteen inches by eighteen inches, and for Up-to-Dato .eighteen by tliirtv inches.

Hoe the crop as oftcu as possible as this will stimulate growth, keep weeds down, and conserve the lfioisturo below. If possible sprout the seed. This will involve a little extra labour, but there will, bo an even crop, without those blank spaces in the row that are caused by blind (tubers. GREENHOUSE.

With increasing sunshine and lengthening days work in this department will demand u Jot of attention. Tim temperature may bo raised and ventilation increased. Plants mush have fresh air ito keep them in good health, and it is a good maxim, " more heat, mora ahv'

(Iloxinea havo grown in public favour during the past few .seasons, and as their cultivation becomes better known, larger numbers will be grown. Time, was when they wero regatded as stove plants, needing a high temperature, ami possible only to ithoso who had the- means of providing a stovo temperature Heat is necessary to raise the seed, but once, the seedlings are pricked olf they can bo grown m any glasshouse. Those, who are. not in a, position to provide a heaited glasshouse can raise the seed in a small hotbed, and if another is prepared to receive the plants when they are largo enough to prick off there is very little difficulty in raising a good batch or plants. The seeds germinate very irregularly, and each one should be pricked off as soon as it is big enough to handle. If ii< few are left in the seed pan or petto make more tlau one leaf, they may prevent others from growing, because, the fleshy leave; soon cover much space*, and iis >a rule the best varieties are the last to sprout. Old tubers should be shaken out and re-pottcd. Rotted turf, leaf mould, a littlo sand and light loam will makes a good compost for these plants. ]>o not over-water them, as too much wafer in the early stages of growth "will prove fatal. Give them, a light airy position, and shift into larger pots before the small ones get too lull with roots. Tuberous begonias should be shaken out and re-potted. Keep the tuber quite, near the surface. . Give, them plenty of room, and good rather than rich soil. These plants .arc not a .success if -.induly forced. They .should grow slowly from the the first. Perhaps a, cord frame is the best place l'r them until the flowers lug in to open.

Caladiums nerd a. warm house to grow them well. There are several varieties that can lie grown in a. lew temperature, but most, of them need (iOdeg to Todeg Kahr. The corms should be shaken out and re-potted soon to secure large leaves, (Jive them a rough compost of rotted turf, flaky loaf mould r.wl a little fibrous- pet. If this cannot be obtained, sphagnum moss is a good substitute-. A few pieces of charcoal find a little sharp sand mixed together will form an ideal mixture for these plants. The reason some lose their corms is because they use 100 fiiio a, compn t. Jt s"ems that the roots need air to keep them healthy. Foliage begonias, which should be. repotted, are useful for bouse decoration during the summer months. Plants in liin pots are more convenient, as they fit in the vases, and are easily handled. They de best in a rough compest with more loam than in that suggested for caladiums.