VEGETABLE CULTIVATION.

Waipa Post, Volume III, Issue 127, 12 July 1912, Page 4

VEGETABLE CULTIVATION.

ADVICE FROM AN EXPERT

• For purposes of gardening, spring may be said to commence with July, as with the first days of this month seed sowing begins. Some interesting notes on vegetable cultivation arc reprinted from the "Journal " of the Department of Agriculture, in which Mr W. H. Taylor has the following to say: — The first thing to attend to is the pea supply. The usual plan is to simultaneously sow two varieties at least. One kind should be a dwarf, the other a taller sort, as the latter varieties arc longer than the dwarfs in coming into bearing. They come into use when the supply from the dwarf is nearly over. If for any reason it is not convenient to sow two kinds at this time, another sowing of a dwarf kind should be sown as soon as the first is showing above the soil. Sow a taller kind at this latter date in any case. The best rule to follow as to time of sowing after the first is to sow again as soon as the last .sowing is up. Dwarf kinds may be sown thicker than-taller sorts. The rate of sowing should be a pint-of seed to a drill 40 feet long for dwarfs, and the same quantity to a 50 feet drill for varieties up to 3 feet. It is a mistake to grow the taller sorts unless they can be provided with stakes, for they otherwise smother themselves, and a great part of the crop is thereby lost. Some knowledge of the habit of varieties is necessary to determine how thick the seed should be sown.. Some varieties branch out freely, and in these cases the plants should be quite 6in. apart. Dwarf varieties do not branch, or only to a slight extent, and with them thin sowing only leads to waste.

Onions* —What other seeds are to be sown hugely depends, on local conditions. It may be set clown as an axiom'that it is better to wait awhile rather than sow seed in ground unfit for its growth whether this may arise from hurried preparation or a too wet state. With this reservation, you cannot get your onion seed in too early. This may reqirre a little explanation. Firstly, then, if the soil is too wet when the seed is sown it cannot be sown properly, and will be likely to fail to grow. Again, it may come up all right, but not.make gro'A'th for a few weeks thereafter- This is bad. Where experience shows that "uch a thing is likely to h:poen it would be better to sow,a little later. But this should be always kept in mind ; mildew seldom appears before the end of Jainiary, usually later, and it is highly desirable that the crop should be in an,advanced state before its appearance ; also that late-sown crops meet dry weather before they have attained any size, and the chances are against their ever doing so. The prevalence of mildew in some districts, usually fiat country with a moist climate, is the chief reason why many cultivators sow in autumn. Carrots that have stood the winter go to seed in spring. As soon as the tops begins to show signs of growing, lift all that are left. If stacked in a dryish place and covered with soil, they will keep a few weeks longer. To continue the supply put in a small quantity of Early Horn seed. These come on quickly, are usable in a very small state, and fulfil requirements till the later-sown larger kinds are ready. Turnip seed should not be put in so early as carrot. In the Wellington province August is as early as we can sow, they go to seed if sown earlier.

Cabbage and cauliflower plants from the autumn sowing, should be ready to go out. Get them planted as soon as they are large enough ; the earlier the better. Lettuce. —The same thing applies to lettuce. Put out a good bed of these, for this planting frequently affords the best heads of the season. They stand longer than those sown at any other time, and are in great demand. .Rhubarb may be planted in deep rich ground. That enriched with stable manure is most suitable. It is useless' to attempt to grow rhubarb in poor soil, or soil deficient in humus.

Jerusalem artichokes still remaining in the ground should now be dug. The tubers will keep fit for use for some time, yet if put in a dry place and covered with dry earth or sand. They wither if stacked in a dry place and are not covered. They grow quicker if put in a damp place.