The Home Garden by R. G. Falconer Horticulturist, Department of Maori Affairs Tauranga

SOIL FERTILITY MUST BE KEPT HIGH: The main purpose of a cover crop is to prevent the loss of plant foods and to build up soil fertility. At this time of the year when land becomes vacant after the harvest of spring sown crops, it is essential if the area is not to carry autumn planted vegetables, to sow down in one of the numerous cover crops available. Owing to the restricted areas in most home gardens it is necessary to crop the land intensively, and in many cases the humus content of the soil is at a very low level. Therefore legumes, such as Lupens, Field Peas, or Vetches are probably the best types of cover crops owing to the fact that legumes have the power of fixing what is termed free nitrogen, which the plant takes from the air and stores in the soil. At maturity, this is usually just before the blossoming period, the roots and plant contribute a very desirable form of nitrogen and organic matter. As decomposition takes place, nitrogen is slowly expelled into the soil, by what is known as bacterial action, and later is released as nitrate. In this form it is available too, and assimilated by plant life. Apart from the above element which is available, a large bulk of organic matter when dug in always improves the physical condition of the soil. For example, light soils are usually made to a no less degree heavier, whilst the texture of heavy soils will break down more readily and assume a more friable texture.

AUTUMN PLANTING: To ensure an ample supply of green vegetables throughout the winter months, when normal supplies are short and prices are high, now is the time to make preparations for seeding and planting. Always remember that brassica crops such as cabbage and cauliflower should be planted on ridges if success is to be achieved. For preference, make two or three plantings for succession, Allow at least two weeks between plantings. Where spring crops such as potatoes, have been harvested and ample supplies of manure have been applied, make a late sowing of carrots. This crop should be available for use during late winter or early spring. During March land should be prepared to receive strawberry plants, which should be available from the nursery men during late April and early May. The situation should be warm and sunny and well drained and above all rich in organic matter. If at all available horse manure or cow manure incorporated in the soil when digging is most advantageous. During the past season, onion plants for planting out during July and August have been extremely scarce in most districts. This has been the case more or less for several years, and it could be considered very wise if the home gardener sowed perhaps a packet of seed for the purpose of supplying his own needs.

THE FLOWER GARDEN: The planting of all varieties of bulbs should be completed by the end of February, and in the warmer districts planting of Iceland Poppy and Stocks can be set out during March. If the weather is warm and dry as it usually is at this time of the year, ample quantities of water will be necessary for the establishment of the young and tender plants. Always give the flower garden a plentiful supply of phosphates in the form of super phosphates or bone dust. If roses and other flower plants are at all troubled with aphids, one or two sprayings of nicotine sulphate should eradicate these leaf chewing insects from the plants. Ranunculas and Anemones will give a most colourful display during a period when flowers are invariably in short supply. * * * The election of a nine-man management committee representing Maori owners of the land on which Mangakino Township stands has been confirmed by Judge Pritchard in the Maori Land Court, Rotorua. This has now cleared the way for negotiations between the Maori people concerned and the Ministry of Works over return of the land to the Maori owners, once hydro-electric development is completed, and over the future of Mangakino itself. One of the objects of the owners is to preserve, develop and extend Mangakino.