586 Journal of the Department of Agriculture. 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN. 



September, 1920. 



By H. B. Terry, Cert. R.H.S., Lecturer in Horticulture, School of 

 Agriculture, Potchefstroom. 



The risk of frost is now much less, and tender crops may be sown in all but 

 the coldest localities. It is always worth while planting a few early seedlings 

 or sowing seed and taking a risk, if by such means an early crop is to be 

 secured, for vegetables are less plentiful during the next two months than at 

 any other time of the year 



Tomato. — Plants .sliould be transplanted where no danger from frosts 

 exist; a few brauchets of macrocarpa or gum trees not only protect the plants 

 from heat and cold, but also from hail. 



Dwarf French Beans.— Canadian Wonder, Refugee, etc., should be sown 

 in drills 15 to 18 inches apart ; place the beans about 6 inches apart in the 

 rows. Some growers prefer to sow beans in hills 1 foot apart, placing four 

 to six beans in each hill. Do not cover deeper than 1 inch. 



Table Mealies. — Make a good sowing in most localities; use Early Ever- 

 green, Golden Bantam, Bothnia Bread, Maizena. These varieties are not ■ 

 harmed should the outer leaves be slightly touched by frost. 



Melons. — Water-melons prefer a warm rathej sandy soil and plenty of 

 manure. Make holes six feet apart each way, dig in the manure, and in each 

 hole place four to six seeds; later on select the best three and pull the others 

 out. Musk or Sweet Melon (Spanspek) is grown in a similar manner to 

 water-melons. Pi-ovision should be made for irrigation during diought. 



Onions. — Sow Prizetaker, Golden Globe, Danver's Yellow, James Long, 

 Ailsa Craig. It is less work to sow in beds and transplant later on. Weeds 

 must be kept down at all costs. 



Carrots. — Early Dutch Horn, Model, James' Intermediate, and Altringham 

 are useful early sorts to sow now. Let the drills be 15 inches apart to facilitate 

 weeding and thinning. 



Cucumbers. — Sowinf^s may be made this month in favoured districts. 

 Forkhook Famous, White Spine, Long Green are useful sorts. Make holes about 

 4 feet apart and place four to six seeds in each hole, water freely, and, later 

 on, retain only the three strongest plants. 



Kohl Rabi is a good substitute for turnips in summer ; it stands dry 

 weather very well. 



Lettuce. — Sow cabbage varieties such as Boston, Neapolitan, Iceberg, etc. ; 

 do not allow the plants to want for water, as they will run to seed. Young 

 seedlings may be transplanted. 



Vegetable Marrow and Squashes may be sown in hills or holes 4 feet 

 apart each way in fairly rich soil ; the earliest sorts are Custard Squashes, 

 closely followed by Long" White, Long Green. It is always advisable to grow 

 the bush type; the yield is greater and less space is required. 



Celery. — Sow seed in tins or boxes under shelter. 



Capsicum or Chillies. — Sow large round for cooking and long chili for 

 pickling. Sow the seed in boxes and transplant later on. 



Beetroot. — Early roots may be obtained by sowing Eclipse, Egyptian 

 Turnip Rooted; thin out when strong enough. The tops when young make 

 an excellent substitute for spinach. 



Leeks. — Seeds may still be sown in beds for transplanting; the soil may 

 be prepared meanwhile; make it fairly rich to push growth on. 



Rhubarb, Jerusalem Artichokes, Herbs of all sorts should be divided 

 and transplanted. 



Potatoes may be planted when no danger of late f^'osts is feared. 



