GARDEN NOTES

West Coast Times, Issue 14141, 18 June 1907, Page 4

GARDEN NOTES

(By A. B. Boyd.)

Vegetables.— Preparing the ground for early peae:— There is often, more losn amongst the seeds than the plants where the soil is of a clayey niture. There wonld be more success generally if the nature of the soil were considered ca-o fully. A cold rooting medium means slow growth, even where the seeds germinate, and it is better policy to defer sowing, rather than put the- seeds in a

The person who owns a garden of light soil ba? a great advantage over another who has to contend with heavy, tenacious ground. But there is a way of hastening the growth of the plants in the latter kind of soil. Where possible procure some road scraping, aad toix with dome good earth, and put the mixed max terial in a shallow trenoh. A depth of about three inches will be sufficient to gi/e the young plants a good start. Cover the seeds with the same kind of sui', putting it on nearly two inches deep. ,

Sowing tbe Seeds.— The form of the treuch is a very important matter; the young pltcti will thrive better in a broad trench than in a narrow one". The drill which is drawn out with a hoe is quite unsuitable for pea?. Often one sees such trenches or drill* made, and no doubt the young plaots look well in juch at first, but owing to their cramped condition the. haulmi do not and prod«ca strong side shoots, as they would do if more space were a'l >wed them. Sow the pea!) thinly aid evenly, in a trench quite ten inches wide, Every young plant will than have a chance of growing sturdily, simply because it is froa. Having managed the preparation of the soil and the sowing of tbe seeds in a satisfactory manner do not ppoil the young plant * by drawing up soil to them in sujcb away as to ai mot t draw together the tops in a narrow Una. Earth up the plant), certainly, but 1 iave fc'iem free from the pressure of the aril on both sides.

Select a high, drj border for' the early crop of peas. There ia generally aufthieDt moisture in the soil for the young plants during their early stages of growth without the* need for wateriug; but a mulch, applied about the middle of September, will prove beneficial. The fir? t sowing may be made towards the beginning of July, but th» exact time.must depend upon tha condition .of the soil.