GARDEN NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 6, 23 April 1920, Page 14

GARDEN NOTES.

0NI0NS. Most crcq>s are harvested before now, but there are sure to be some backward crops. Rain following a dry spefl may make availa-ble fertilizers that were inert for want of sufflcient mosture, and this may lead to late growth and consequent delay in ripening-off. An overplus of fertilizer may have this effect without interference by the weather. If the bulbs are properly grown the necks should become thin and lose suhstance, and the tops fall over from their own weight. If this does not occur the bulbs have not finished properly, and they will not be good keepers. The cause may be too much manure, untimely rain, or an unsuitable variety ; or, lastly, they may have been lifted too early. Oiant varieties should be sown in autumn ; if sown in spring they will3 not finish properly. Ripening occurs earlier in some places than in othors, but in cases where the tops have not wi the red lifting should be Jeft till March in order to give the bulbs a chance to finish ripening. TURNIPS. Where the winter supply is of consequence it is a good plan to sow two varieties at this time — Snowball or a similar white variety for first use, and Golden Ball or Orange Jelly for later. The yellow varieties stand better through winter than the whites, and are at that season better in flavour. The yollow variety should be well thinned, as they are to stand. Thinning the white variety is mostly done when roots are pulled for use or market. This enables the taldng of a large crop from the ground, and is the usual method of market-gardeners.

CELERY. Late crops should be moulded up ; they are better so than exposed to winter weather. The moulding-up protects them from heavy rain, the heads keep better, and are gaining crispness. Celery leafspot is causing losses as usual. Losses would be smaller if growers realized the early beginning of the disease. A very frequent cause is intected seed. When this is the case the disease attack3 the seedling plants, but at this stage it may not be noticed unless it is looked for. Later on, when the disease has obtained a firm hold, it may be impossible to save the plants ; certainly, badly affected leaves cannot be saved. Spraying with bordeaux mixture should begin with the seed.

lings and he continued as long as may be necessary. Growers are known to obtain complete control by this means. Some authorities state that the spores of the disease present on seeds die within two years, and advise that seeds less than two years old should not be used. The seeds retam vitality for eight years. The fungus may be killed by steeping the seed for a period of three hours inadilute solution of 1 part formalin to 600 parts of water. The seeds should affcerwards be quickly dried on sheets of blotting paper. Autumn sowing of cauliflower, cabbage, onion, and lettuce : These seeds should be sown durin-g the last week of March or early in April. This sowing is one of the most important operations of the whole year, particularly so in reference to cauliflower, cabbage, and lettuce, hecause it provides for the spring crops, the most valuable of all both to the market-garden-er and the private grower. Two kinds of cauliflower should be sown — Early Snowball or Early Paris for first cutting, and one of the Autumn Giant types for succession. In the warmer parts of the Domiriion another lot may be sown about 1st May, and the combined sowings will carry the supply till the New Year. Heads from the first sowing should bo ready during Septemher, a month earlier than in other parts, rendoring the growing of broccoli almost unnecessary. This is a great advantage, as broccoli has to oe planted in summer, when the rnoth may make it impossible to grow it. With onions autumn sowing applies most properly to the giant kinds. These cannot be brought to naatunty if sown in spring. The young plants must be transplanted in spring, l-' lb of seed will provide plants for an acre. In some circum.-tar1c.e3 ir- is advisable to sow the smaller keeping kinds in autumn. In some districts mildew attacks the plants early in tlie year, and this prevents the bulbs rnaturin.g in a proper manner. By sowing in autumn the plants are s^ far advar.eed in growth when the diseasi attacks them that they suffer little or no injury. It is not absoluiely necessary to transplant these kmds in spring — in fact, many growers do not. There is, however, greater risk of the plants bolting to seed when not transplanted, and in some cases the ground becomes so weedy during the winter months that transplanting to clean ground becomes imperative. The small kinds being planted closer than the large varieties, 21b of seed should be sown to plant an acre. If not transplanted, 31b will sow an acre.