VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 73 



POTATO ONION. 



This is a class of onion that multiplies by forming a cluster of bulbs or 

 "cloves" around the original set. It is easily grown, and its cultivation 

 does not require the raising of plants from seed. On "account of its mild 

 flavour, it is sometimes preferred to the common onion. Sets or cloves are 

 planted in autumn, and may be used as green onions in early summer, or 

 allowed to mature, which usually takes about six months. 



Diseases and Pests. See list attached to onion (page 67). 



PUMPKIN. 



Seeds of the pumpkin family require a soil temperature of about 80 degrees 

 Fah. for a successful germination. Sowing should therefore not take place 

 until the late spring. The soils most suitable are those containing a good 

 supply of vegetable matter. They should not, however, be too rich, as this 

 tends to produce a great growth of vine, and few fruits. 



Should artificial manures be used, a mixture of equal parts of superphos- 

 phate and bonedust is advised. Artificial or farmyard manure should be well 

 distributed for some distance round the hills, as the plants send out their 

 roots many feet away from the. main stem in search of plant-food. 



About 2 Ib. of seed is required to plant an acre, except in the case of some 

 of the varieties of squash which have small seed. Two-year-old seed will 

 often be found to produce better results than new seed, which has a tendency 

 to produce plants inclined to run too much to vine. 



The seed should be sown in hills 8 feet apart each way for running 

 varieties; for bush varieties of marrows and squash, about 6 feet each way 

 will suffice. About six to eight seeds should be planted in each hill and 

 later thinned to two or three strong plants. Weed-growth should be kept in 

 check until the plants cover the ground, 



In order to secure a good setting of fruit early in the season, when, as is 

 often the case, bees are not numerous, it is advisable to hand-pollinise the 

 female flowers so that fruit may be set. This is done by taking a flower 

 containing the pistil and dusting ripe pollen from it on to the organs of the 

 female flower shortly after the blossom opens. When the crop is setting it is 

 advisable to pinch back the runners, to throw the strength of the plant into 

 the production of fruits. Some of the varieties of squash are very early and 

 mature in a couple of months ; others take five or six months. 



Storage. 



The keeping quality depends largely on the degree of ripeness. It will be 

 found that if left until it is difficult to pierce the rind with the thumbnail 

 they will keep throughout the winter, providing they have been harvested 

 with the short stalk attached. Pumpkins from early -sown crops keep better 



