Mai/ 2, 1908.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S. IF. 429 



Garden Notes. 



W. SANDERSON. 



May. 



Vegetables. 



The weather for the past few weeks has gradually become cooler, and this 

 season of the year should be availed of for operations in the vegetable and 

 flower garden. 



If any new land is being added to the garden, this is a good time to 

 commence getting it in order for subsequent plantings ; and if the soil is of 

 a sandy or loamy nature, then by trenching to a depth of, say, 18 inches, at 

 the same time, giving the land a dressing of bone-dust, the result will repay 

 for all trouble or expense ; but if the land is heavy, or has a lieav}' clay 

 subsoil, then subsoiling to the above depth is preferable, which will lea\e 

 the land well worked ; also it is not favoui^able to the raising or planting 

 out of seedlings, or subsequent cultivation of the land, if it is trodden on or 

 worked when in a wet state, as the surface sets hard and requii'es much 

 labour to get it broken up again, and this operation has to be repeated after 

 every rainfall. 



All rubbish should be cleared up, also useless vegetables, weeds, etc., and 

 piled in a heap, together with any sweepings that accumulate from time to 

 time from the fowl-house, stable, (fee, which will directly rot and become 

 useful later on for manuring purposes. 



Asparagus. — Perhaps one of the most nutritious vegetables grown is 

 asparagus, and even if only a small plot of land can be spared it is surprising- 

 how many dishes may be taken through the season from it. This vegetable 

 thrives in rich sandy or loamy soil, yet it will grow in almost any soil that 

 has been previously trenched or subsoiled and manured, and although it likes 

 plenty of moisture, yet the land should be drained to carry off any surplus 

 water. 



If a small bed is to be planted, the soil should be removed to a depth of 

 h or 6 inches, and the plants (2-year old if obtainable) set out at about a 

 foot or 1-5 inches each way, taking care that the I'oots are carefully spread 

 out and the crown of the plants fully 6 inches below the surface when the 

 soil is returned to the bed. 



If an established bed is in the garden, then the tops should be cut off" and 

 a good dressing of well-rotted manure forked in, care being exercised not to 

 destroy the crowns of the plants. If a dressing of salt (coarse) or kainit is 

 made it will also help to improve them. 



