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

GOOD DRAINAGE IS ESSENTIAL: At this time of the year, when winter rains are being experienced, and the sub-soil becomes saturated to such a degree, plant life has a struggle to survive. It is, therefore, very necessary to provide adequate drainage and so allow the surplus water to be eliminated in the shortest possible time. On the pumice land where porous nature of the sub-soil provides a natural means of drainage, the gardeners worries are more directed to the building up of the humus content of the soil, owing to the fact that latching of the soil is prevalent.

RHUBARB: This will succeed in any fairly good soil if deeply worked and well manured. The ground should be trenched at least to a depth of 18 inches to 2 feet and then plenty of farm yard or fowl manure incorporated. The best plan is to purchase roots, about 25 will provide sufficient, for the average family. Once planted, they can remain in the same place for years. Thus, it must be understood that an ample supply of manure should be thoroughly applied at planting time. When establishing the roots place it in an upright position, fill in the soil, taking care to press it firmly around the roots, cover the crown with about 3 inches of soil, putting each root about 3 feet apart in the row. One practice that must be remembered is that the soil must be kept loose and free of weeds. Do not pull stalks the first year, but during summer months, give an occasional watering with liquid manure, either pig, sheep, cow or fowl will do. Once a year give a good dressing of stable manure and then fork the soil over between the plants. Good varieties suitable for planting are: Myatts Victoria for summer, and Topps Winter for winter use. Planting can take place either in autumn or spring.

POTATOES: This is perhaps the most important vegetable grown. Fairly good crops can be obtained in any reasonably fertile soil, virgin land being preferable. The season for planting in warm districts is usually extended, although this is governed by climatic conditions as the potato is a tender subject, and will not stand frosts. The position for early crops must be warm and dry in full sun. Indeed, this rule must be applied all through as the potato does not like shade or damp conditions. For the home garden, deep digging is essential; the soil must be friable and rich with ample manure such as bone dust and basic slag in equal quantities with a small addition of sulphate of potash. This should be applied at the rate of 3oz. to the square yard. This manure should be incorporated in the soil several weeks before planting and not placed in the drills, as planting potatoes on top of raw fertilizer will have a detrimental effect on the resultant crop. In this case, the manurial value is lost owing to the fact that the depth of application is below the majority of feeding roots which tend to spread out and away from the plant. It will also be noticed that after several moundings have taken place, the depth of the first application of manure is very far below the actual plant. Always broadcast the manure and work into the surface soil and always select your sets for planting with care. The best tubers for selection should be from 1½ ozs to 2 ozs in weight. They must be sprouted, that is they should show one or two shoots when planting. Potatoes should be planted in drills about 3 feet apart and about 12 inches apart in the rows—5 or 6 inches being the usual depth. Four weeks after planting, hoe between the rows and when the plants are about 4 to 6 inches tall earth up. Continue the operation between intervals according to their growth. All weeds must be kept in check. Potatoes must be sprayed with cuprox at the same rate as for tomatoes, that is 4 ozs to 5 gallons of water. Spray regularly as spraying does not cure an infection of blight, it is a preventive measure only. When digging potatoes, care should be taken not to bruise the skin, otherwise it will impair their keeping qualities. Digging should not take place before the plants have turned brown and are dry, if the potatoes are to be stored for the winter. A bright sunny day should be selected for digging, and the tubers should be given a couple of hours to dry before being gathered for storing in a dry cool dark place.