Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



April. 



By H. B. Terry, Cert. R.H.S. (Lond. and S.A.), Lecturer in Horticulture, 

 School of Agriculture, Potohefstroom. 



Garden crops must now be planted conveniently with a view to their being 

 watered when necessary (except in Western Cape). Frost may be expected at 

 any time now. Last month's notes deolt with the necessity of destroying all 

 decaying crops to prevent harbouring insects and fungi and preparing the 

 garden soil for spring crops ; it is a general practice to leave too much to be 

 accomplished in the spring. 



Beetroot. — A general sowing may be made. 



Beans, Broad. — A good sowing should be made in richly manured soil; they 

 are not averse to clayey soils. The rows shoiild be two to three feet apart, and 

 one foot apart in the rows. 



Brussels Sprouts. — Too late to sow now on high veld, but may bo trans- 

 planted. Further sowings permissible in Cape. 



Cabbage. — Sowing should be done for spring crop, using Early Jersey, 

 Wakefield, AVinningstad, Surehead, Enfield Market, Offenham. 



Carrot.-t— The last sowing should be made to provide roots for spring. Sow 

 Horn, Oxheart, Intermediate Stumprooted, Nantes Early. 



Cauliflower. — In Cape Province this may still be sown. 

 Celery. — ITnder Cape conditions sowings may be made, and blanching 

 i-hould be continued elsewhere. 



Endive. — ^As a hardy succulent substitute for lettuce under severe condi- 

 tions a sowing is advisable. 



Knol Kohl (Kohl Rabi). — Can be sown generally. 



Leeks. — Make a good sowing in the Cape; small elsewhere. Deep well- 

 worked soil is essential; treat similarly to onions. 



Lettuce.^ — A general sowing may be made ; under severe frost conditions 

 Cos varieties are to be recommended, being more hardy. 



Mustard and Cress^ — If sown in boxes under shade, will provide nice, 

 succulent growths for salad. 



Onions. — Sow in Cape and Natal ; elsewhere transplant from now to June. 

 All varieties mentioned last month may be sown. 



Parsnii'. — Not suitable for high veld crop this month. 



Peas. — Sow in Western Cape and warmer parts of Natal; provide suflBcient 

 brushwood for staking the taller growing varieties. 



Potatoes. — The majority of crops will be ripening from now on. Owing to 

 the tuber moth attacking exposed tubers, do iiot dig out more than is required 

 at one time. Never allow any potatoes to remain uncovered overnight. 



Radish. — Those may be sown generally; germination and maturity will not 

 be so rapid as formerly. 



Spinach. — May be sown, excepting on high veld. 



Turnips. — Sow everywhere if water is available, as quick growth is essential; 

 the crop matures in seven to nine weeks. Bagrada bug is troublesome on a 

 starved crop. Superphosphate is a suitable fertilizer. 



Tomatoes. — Under low veld conditions a further sowing may be made. 

 Elsewhere keep plants off the ground and, if possible, reduce the side laterals. 

 Should frost be experienced the green fruits may be ripened on shelves. 



