VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 25 



THE PROPAGATION OF VEGETABLES. 



Although some vegetables are propagated from root pieces or cuttings, the 

 majority are started from seeds. 



There are various methods of raising plants from seeds, which differ 

 considerably according to circumstances. New South Wales covers a 

 very wide area and a variety of climatic nnd other conditions, and it is 

 impossible to lay down a method in relation to any vegetable crop that is 

 likely to prove satisfactory everywhere. On the other hand, it is impossible 

 here to describe the methods of every district in detail, and all that can be 

 done is to indicate certain principles that are of general application, and then 

 to advise each intending grower to familiarise himself with the practice of 

 the successful men in the district in which he intends to start operations. 



The conditions that must be present to ensure germination of seeds may 

 be stated as warmth, moisture, air, and light. '-The last is not actually 

 essential to germination, but it is of importance as soon as the young plant 

 is above ground. The first two conditions are obtained by a thorough 

 preparation of the soil or medium in which the seed is sown, and under 

 certain conditions by the direct application of h^at' and moisture. 



In the field it is not always possible to secure ideal conditions for sowing 

 but by following good cultural methods it is possible to help considerably in 

 bringing about germination. In the first place it is necessary that the soil 

 be brought to a fine tilth, so that moisture conditions can be controlled. 

 After sowing, it is usual to firm the soil over the seed by rolling, in order to 

 bring about capillary connection with the under soil, allowing moisture to be 

 drawn to the surface where it is of use -to the seed. This simply means that 

 the soil moisture is being rapidly lost by evaporation, and it is therefore 

 necessary that, as soon as germination has taken place, a surface mulch 

 should be established where possible. As most seeds are sown in drills, this 

 mulch can be quickly created by intertillage. In the case of seed that is 

 sown deepj such as peas and beans, the surface can be broken up after being 

 compacted by using a brush or light harrow. 



Field sowing in large areas is usually done by using horse-drawn machines. 

 "For example, the ordinary wheat drill is often employed for the sowing of 

 peas. Hand seed-drills that will sow most kinds of vegetable seeds are 

 also obtainable, and are particularly useful on a commercial vegetable 

 growing area. In small gardens the drills in which small seeds are sown are 

 made by drawing the rake or hoe handle along the soil, or by using a garden 

 hand scriber, made on the lines of the accompanying illustration, the 

 depth of the drill depending on the seed to be sown. 



