VEGETABLE CROPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 144, 20 June 1931, Page 7 (Supplement)

VEGETABLE CROPS

ATTENTION TO THE SOIL. During the autumn and early winter Is a good time for breaking up and improving any vacant land required for the cultivation of spring and summer crops. At this time more attention can usually be given to this work than in more busy seasons. In a garden of limited area, especially when the ground is being dug over time arter time, simply to the depth of the spade, even though manure is liberally supplied, the surface soon becomes exhausted by constant croppings, while a hard, unbroken crust is formed immediately below where the ground is dug. Value of Deep Tillage. In gardens where trenching has not previously been practised some method of deep tillage is the best means of improving the soil and increasing its fertility. The depth to which the’ land should be broken up depends upon the nature of the subsoil. In land where the subsoil is of a clay nature what is ! called bastard trenching is the best method to adopt. This is done by opening out a trench to the full depth of the subsoil and then applying a good dressing of manure or, m fact, any material such as garden refuse, leaves, grass clippings, wood ashes or other refuse. This should be worked into the subsoil to the full depth of the spade. This done, the full depth of the surface soil from the next trench should be turned on to the subsoil and so on until the work is completed. When the subsoil is of a deep, friable nature, and is good enough to be brought to the surface, the first trench should be taken out to its full depth, that is, at least two spades deep, or even two feet if the soil is good. The bottom of the trench should be well broken up and liberally manured. Liberal manuring is important. The manure should be mixed with the soil throughout. Trenching deepens and improves ah lands used for cropping but must be practised with some judgment or more harm than good may be clone by bringing up poor clay or other unsuitable subsoil to the surface. Any such soil is far better to be well broken, liber ally manured and left in the bottom of the trenches. Once the soil is well brokeif up. deep digging and after cultivation will soon bring the subsoil into a fertile condition. In soils that arc deeply worked evaporation is promoted, enabling plants to better withstand dry •weather, as the roots have a more extended sphere, enabling them to penetrate deeper in the soil in search of food. When the soil has been properly trenched it becomes less exhausted by succeeding crops, while any food material applied to the soil is much more effective than when applied to ground that has only been superficially worked.