84 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. \Jan. 2, 1908. 



Practical Vegetable aijcl Flower Growing 



W. S. CAMI'P.ELL. 



Directions for the Month of January. 



Vegetables. 



We often have favourable conditions for veg'etal)le g-rowing durincr 

 January — that is, for sunnuer vegetables — ^tlie weather being moist and 

 ■warm, in some districts very hot, and at the same time weeds grow with 

 extraordinary vigour, and are difficuh to cope with, if rain is abundant. 



All old vegetable remains, such as pua and Ijean haulm, cabbage stuinps,. 

 rotting tomatoes, should be cleared out of the garden : indeed such things. 

 shouM never be allowed to accumulate, for immediately the plants are past 

 their useful stage, they should be removed, and other kinds of vegetables 

 planted in their places, keeping the ground constantly cropped wherever 

 practicable. Always follow one kind of vegetable with another of quite 

 a distinct character, and, where possible, alternate a vegetable which is 

 grown for its leaves or pods with anothrr which is grown for its roots ; for 

 instance, a cabbage can be very well followed by red beet, carrots, turnips, 

 potatoes, and so on ; peas and beans can be followed by roots, or by cab- 

 bage, cauliflower, &c. Where different kinds of diseases prevail to any 

 extent, such as scab in potatoes, or black spot disease in toiniitoes, be sure 

 not to grow such plants on the same ground next year, altlioui:h other 

 vegetables may be grown in the meantime, for the diseases remain in the 

 ground, in some cases, such as potato-scab disease, for years; and once 

 they become established, thev are extremely difKcult to eradicate. 



If a mulch of dung has been spread between and about vegetables, stir 

 it up occasionally, and stir also the surface of the ground below it as well. 



Beans of all sorts, except the Broad nr Windsor ln'an, may hv sown 

 during the month as extensively as anyone may rr(|uiro. It is woitli 

 while trying several varieties, for there is a very great deal of difference 

 in the (]uality of the various kinds, l)oth runners and dwarfs. For 

 general purposes the Canadian Wonder holds its own very well for (piality 

 as well as productiveness. The bean, although an excellent vegetable, 

 should not be depended ujion eiitii-cly. 'I'lie gi-eatei- variety of vegetables 

 made use of, the better and more wholesome for tlioso who make use of 

 them. An overdose of beans is likely to cause indigestion to some persons. 



Broccoli. — A little seed may be sown, from time to time, during the 

 month. This vegetable is hardier tlian the cauliflower, wliicli it resembles 

 so much, that the two can liardlv ])e distinguished from one another liy 

 many persons. It needs rich soil to enable it to grow to perfection. It 



