350 Jfiricultural GazeJe of N.S.W. [April 'l, l^m. 



Garden Notes, 



W. SAXDKli.SOX. 



April. 



Vegetables. , 

 As most parts of the State have beuelitcd l)y an ahuiHlaiit I'ainfall during 

 hist month, no doubt this will encoura<,^t' many to grow a few vegetables who 

 were unable to do so during tlie pi'otractc^d drought. 



Tf the land has been properly cultivated and manured this slKiuld 1)(> a 

 very favourable opportunity to grow many kitchen garden products. 



It is the easiest thing in the world to .sow seeds or prick out seedlings 

 from a .seed-bed, and with a little attention they will make satisfactory 

 growth. Seed, however, is often absolutely wasted by being planted too deep or 

 in unsuitable land; also seedlings are sometimes transplanted into land poorly 

 cultivated, with plenty of weeds in it, with the result that the plants go 

 back instead of making vigorous growth as they should. 



The difficulty with sowing seed in stiti' soil can ea.sily be ovei'come by 

 plantiiig them in l)eds or drills, as the case may be, with a covering of compost 

 of good leaf mould, rotted dung, sand, etc., that has previously been collected. 

 This is light, and will not crust when watered, consequently if the seed is 

 sown a trifle too deej) it will germinate, and the young plants find their way 

 through. 



When the young plants are ready for transplanting, this should lie done 

 on days (evening foi' preference), when the weather conditions are favourable. 

 Before lifting them out of the seed beds give them a good watering, so 

 that some portion of earth will adhere to the fibre of the young plant. 

 Care should be exercised to press the soil firndy round the roots. When 

 transplanting, the soil lound the base of the plant should be left a tiifle low, 

 so that when watering later on the water will collect at the root, thereby 

 ensuring plenty of moisture to the young plant. If the land has been 

 previously well maiuu'ed and cultivated, the growth of the plants will, with 

 ordinary attention and subsequent watering and cultivation, be up to 

 expectations. 



In the wanner or coastal districts a sowing of beans, kidney or French, 

 might be made to advantage, but in colder parts, where early frosts occur, 

 perhaps it would not be worth the risk of planting; also, in the case of 

 cauliflowers and broccoli, the season is, perhaps, a trifle late. Yet if a few 

 good healthy plants -were pricked out in well manured land they should at 

 least repay for th(" trouble of attention. 



Cabbage may be planted out, say, a few now and another planting in the 

 course of a fortnight or three week.s, in (juantities large enough to .satisfy 



