THE GARDEN.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXVII, Issue 6, 20 December 1923, Page 411

THE GARDEN.

VEGETABLE-CULTURE.

Planting out the winter crops will be the chief work for January. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, savoy cabbage, and kale, leeks, and celery form valuable supplies for the winter. They all require rich land well prepared. If artificial manures have to be used two parts each of superphosphate and bonedust, and one each of sulphate of potash and sulphate of ammonia, is a mixture that will suit many soils. Make a liberal dressing, and harrow or lightly dig it in.j

Soak the seed-beds well the day before lifting the plants, and see that the roots are not allowed to dry out during the removal. Examine the plants carefully, rejecting those that are “ blind ” or of bad type. If necessary, spray or dip them in an insecticide before they are put out. Plant firmly, and water them in.

Encourage vigorous growth on asparagus and rhubarb beds. If the weather is hot and dry give them a good watering and apply a dressing or two of nitrate of soda.

Salads, peas, French beans, and carrots may still be sown in small quantities for late crops.

TOMATOES.

. Trimming and tying of the plants will now require constant attention. As the bottom bunch of fruit approaches maturity the older leaves surrounding it may be removed. An application now of soluble fertilizers will be of benefit in most cases : two parts of superphosphate, one part of sulphate of potash, and one of nitrate of soda is a popular mixture. Apply it at the rate of 5 cwt. or 6 cwt. per acre (2 oz. to the square yard).

In the packing of tomatoes for the market, as in the packing of most fruit, uneven maturity is the most common defect. It is a very serious one, for when such packs are opened up in the auction-room they suffer by comparison, with better ones. The size-grading of tomatoes for packing is also becoming more generally adopted.

SMALL-FRUITS.

In many raspberry-gardens the canes are small and the foliage affected with leaf-spot. A great improvement would be made if as soon as the present crop is gathered the old canes were cut out and burnt, and the new suckers thinned and sprayed with bordeaux and arsenate of lead, a second application being made, if necessary, after an interval of three weeks. A soil-dressing of soluble chemical fertilizers should also be made. In this way strong, clean canes may be secured for the next season’s crop.

Most breaks of black-currant and gooseberry plants would receive great benefit from a similar spray treatment.

—William C. Hyde,

Horticulture Division.