Sep. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 683 



Wentworthville. 



On 7th July Mr. Leonard Rumble delivered a lecture on the subject of 

 vegetable-growing. In the course of an address that was full of sound, 

 practical information, Mr. Rumble made the following recommendations : — 



Vegetable Growing. 



The position of the garden should be such that it will get plenty of sunlight all day. 

 Drainage is of great importance. " Work the ground well — dig deep " is a good motto. 

 Keep the beds high and narrow, so that thej' can be got at from either side ; do not jamb 

 them up against a fence if that can be avoided. When the ground is broken up place 

 little heaps of lime over it, let them slake there for two weeks, then spread the heaps 

 out evenly and dig in. 



When using the hose, do not just squirt it over the surface for a few minutes. 

 Remember the root system has to be dealt with. With a f-inch hose going, it will take 

 one and a half hours for water to get a foot deep. Mere surface wetting is useless. 



Seed-beds should be composed of comparatively poor soil, so that the seedlings can be 

 transplanted into richer soil. Get the best seeds procurable ; poor seeds never produce 

 good results, and only waste time, space, and manure. 



Plant onions in March, April and May in drills. Put out when as thick as a pencil, 

 12 inches apart each way. Leeks are slow growers ; plant them in May and they should 

 be perfect in February. The beds should receive a 4-inch dressing of stable manure. 



Sow parsnips from July till April, after the full moon. Set them out in deep soil, 

 10 inches apart ; let them remain till the following September, and they will grow very 

 large. Sow carrot-seed from .July to April, and set out 1 foot apart. Sow beet from 

 J11I3' till April ; set out 1 inch apart and in all cases keep weeds down. White turnips 

 should follow potatoes ; plant in February, in rows 18 inches apart and 6 inches 

 between plants. 



Sow lettuce at any time in well manured land. Seeds planted in March can be trans- 

 planted in April. July and August sowings should not be transplanted. Radishes 

 may be sown at any time. Use them young ; the only variety that grows large without 

 getting tough is Chinese White. 



Peas should be in rows running north and south. Sow suitable varieties from 25th 

 April, through May and June. American Wonder is good. The common mistake in 

 growing broad beans is crowding them. They should be 2 feet apart. Sow in April, 

 May and June. When the first beans set pinch out the tops. 



Lima beans should not be sown before October nor later than February, to avoid 

 trouble from black aphis. Henderson's Lima is a good variety. 



Wetherill Park. 



The annual meeting was held on 14th July, seventeen members being 

 present. Mr. A. Clarke was elected Chairman for the eleventh year in 

 succession ; Mr, Cotter was elected Treasurer, and Mr. A. J. Hodges Hon, 

 Secretary. 



A discussion on the results of co-operation took place, and it was decided 

 to ask that Mr. Crane, organising otiicer, should visit the branch for the 

 purpose of lecturing on co-operation. 



Mr. R. N. Makin, Inspector of Agriculture, gave a lecture on vegetable- 

 growing on 14th July to a good muster of farmers, who were very much 

 interested in the subject. Mr. Makin visited several farms, which showed 

 some fine crops of peas and beans. 



Yarramalong. 



At a meeting held on 14th July, letters were received from the Post- 

 master-General's Department in regard to telephone Knes to Ravensdale and 

 Braithwaites, which in each case was referred to the residents for report. 



It was decided to ask the Department of Agriculture for a small* quantity 

 of seed of sugar-beet for the purpose of carrying out experiments locally. 



