10 VEGETABLE GROWING IN XE\Y SOUTH WALES. 



Aspect. 



The most .favourable aspect for vegetable-gardening is a north-easterly 

 one ; such a slope is open to the early morning sun, and affords protection 

 from the westerly and southerly winds a combination that ensures earliness . 

 If low, fiat land is to be used for the purpose there should, if at all possible, 

 be a natural breakwind on the west, whence come most of our cold winds in 

 winter and hot winds in summer. The low lands are the best suited to the 

 cultivation of vegetables during the summer, but for winter growth sloping 

 elevations are preferable, and will result in better air drainage, and less" 

 damage by frost. Steep hillside land is unsuitable, being difficult to work 

 and liable to washing. Where there is no natural windbreak some form of 

 protection should be provided, such as a high fence, or hedge or trees should 

 be planted for the purpose. The disadvantage of both hedges and plan- 

 tations is that they draw very heavily on the supples of plant-food and 

 moisture for a considerable distance around, making the soil less valuable for 

 the culture of vegetables. 



Size of the Area. 



No attempt has been made in the foregoing to indicate the area that 

 might make a profitable vegetable garden. So much depends upon the exact 

 intentions of the grower, the nature of his previous experience, and the 

 amount of his capital that it is impossible to make any definite recommenda- 

 tion. It may be said, however, in general terms that it is always advisable 

 to commence in the small way, increasing the area as proficiency and con- 

 fidence are attained as the result of experience. It is a common fault with 

 beginners to attempt the cultivation of too much land as a start, the con- 

 sequence being indifferent methods of cultivation and tillage, and therefore a 

 stagnant condition that is unprofitable. 



In the metropolitan district, the area worked by Chinamen under con- 

 ditions of intense culture averages about one acre per man. It is not 

 suggested that any reader of this publication should confine himself to that 

 area. Indeed, larger areas can usually be more profitably worked if the 

 crops are grown on a less intensive system so as to allow of a certain amount 

 of horse cultivation. 



The Capital Required. 



No definite statement can be made as to the amount of capital required, 

 there being such a variety of conditions under which vegetable-growing may* 

 be undertaken. The principal contingencies that must be provided for at 

 the outset may be indicated under the following headings : 



(1) Purchase of land and residence, or rental for saoie. 



(2) Clearing of land and preparation, including drainage if necessary. 



(3) Improvements, such as fencing, packing shed, hot and cold frames, 



and other erections of a more or less permanent nature. 



(4) Provision of water supply. 



(5) Necessary tools, implements, ancflive stock. 



(6) Seed, manure, and fertiliser. 



