^'^S Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [15 Qct., 1919. 



Vegetable Garden. 



A good tilth, and a well-pulverized soil, are the main soil necessities 

 in the vegetable garden this month. Frequent cultivations will keep 

 in the soil moisture, and will obviate the necessity for surface watering.-. 

 At the same time, it should be remembered that the vegetable garden 

 requires more water than the flower garden, owing to the quick growth 

 of the plants. Quickly-grown vegetables are more tender and more 

 luscious than slowly-grown ones: thus a good water supply will need 

 to be maintained. Weeds are great moisture-robbers, and they should 

 be kept out of the vegetable garden at this time of the year. 



Late plantings of tomatoes may now be carried out; all early-planted 

 plants should be fed, staked, and the laterals pinched back. A little 

 bone-dust or superphosphate may be given, but these are not equal to 

 animal manures, if the latter are available. Chemical manures should 

 only be given in limited quantities, 6 or 7 cwt. per acre would be a 

 heavy dressing, and this works out at nearly 3 ozy. per square yard. 

 Vegetable growers may easily try this for themselves, and it will soon 

 be seen that 8 ozs. scattered over a square yard of surface will appear 

 to he a very light dressing. 



French beans, carrot, parsnip, celery, radish, peas, and turnip seed- 

 may now be sown. Seeds of cucumber, melon, and pumpkin family 

 may now be so^vn in the open ground. All seedlings may be trans- 

 ])lanted on favorable days, and it will be Avell to sprinkle the tops as 

 well as to water the roots. 



Asparagus beds may be top-dressed with manure, and kept well 

 weeded. Such Aveak growths that are not gathered for eating should 

 he cut out of the beds. 



Flower Garden. 



Flower gardens are troubled with many pests at this time of the 

 year. Rose aphis is one of the most prevalent; frequent applications 

 of tobacco water will keep this pest in check. The hot winds should 

 not be w^aited for so as to rid the garden of the i^ests, because a great 

 deal of damage is done before the hot winds come. They should be 

 sprayed in any case. 



Rose mildew will also need combating. This may be done by dusting 

 the bushes with sulphur while they are wet with the morning dew. 

 The ground may also be sprinkled, as the fumes check the fungus. 



Leaf-rolling or leaf-eating insects will need to be sprayed with 

 arsenate of lead or Paris green. 



The surface should be kept well hoed so as to conserve the moisture, 

 especially after the frequent waterings that should be given. 



Chrysanthemums may be planted in soil that has been dug over two 

 or three times, and each time digging in manure. The soil must not be 

 too rich, but must be well drained. 



Bulbs that have lost their foliage may be lifted, but do not cut the 

 foliage, as this means loss of sap and energy. 



Asters, zinnias, salvias, balsams, amaranthus, celosias, &c., lobelia, 

 bedding begonia, iresines, alternantheras, &'o., may now be planted out 

 for summer and autumn flowers. 



