70 VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 



For popping in the home an ordinary frying pan is used and it should be 

 shaken from side to side over a brisk fire with the corn just covering .the 

 bottom of the pan. It is preferable N 'to have a lid on the pan. 



After popping a sprinkling of salt and a coating of butter, chocolate, or 

 syrup, will improve the flavour considerably. 



The varieties recommended for the home garden are Black Beauty, Queen's 

 Golden, Mapledale Prolific or White Pearl, and White Rice. 



POTATO. 



Of her annual consumption of potatoes New South Wales produces only 

 approximately one-half. An ample market, then, awaits the local grower 

 at his very doorstep, and with rising freights our growers should more easily 

 compete with the produce of other States. It will be essential, however, for 

 him to supply graded produce. 



Potatoes can be grown successfully on many soils. Sandy loams, loams, 

 or friable clay loams are most suitable. Light sands and heavy clays are 

 unsuitable, but not impossible. Sandy' soils are earlier than clay ones. 

 Small areas worked properly will give better quality potatoes and higher 

 returns than large ones farmed " anyhow." It is true that good crops are 

 often obtained even when planted under the sod ; it is also true that the 

 same methods on cropped lands will spell failure. 



The supply of humus or organic matter in the soil must be maintained, 

 and in some cases increased, to obtain proper soil texture and water-holding 

 capacity, both so important in producing maximum crops. Organic matter 

 is applied either as a green manure or in the form of farmyard manure ; but 

 as the latter encourages u scab," its application is advisable some time before 

 planting. Continuous cropping with potatoes is ruinous ; rotation means 

 better crops and less disease. Deep working of the ground say, 8 inches 

 in autumn is recommended, and early spring cultivation is necessary to 

 conserve moisture and bring the soil to the proper tilth. 



The result of this preparation is that the soil is in such good condition 

 when sowing time arrives, that it is unnecessary to wait for rain before 

 planting the seed. The grower is thus able to start with the knowledge 

 that he is sowing at the right time, and that he can sow the whole area 

 at once. It is well known that cut seed cannot be sown in a dry seed bed 

 because the seed dries out, and poor germination and a patchy crop result. 

 If, however, preparations have been made in the way advised, there is 

 usually ample moisture in the soil. 



Selection and Treatment of Seed. 



Quality of seed is important. Select the best continual selection will 

 increase the yield. " Pig " potatoes or culls should on no account be used 

 for seed. 



