CHAPTER XIV. 



THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 



A FEW HINTS ON VEGETABLE GROWING. 



The culture of fruits of all kinds is dealt with in a separate 

 volume, the Handbook of Horticulture and Viticulture, edited by Mr. 

 Despeissis, the expert of the Bureau, so no reference will be made 

 to this subject here. 



It is to be hoped that the new settler will find time to establish 

 a flower garden in front of the house, if it is only a small plot. 

 Western Australia is universally famous for the variety and beauty 

 of its indigenous flora, and many of our prettiest flowers are 

 improved by cultivation in gardens. There is nothing that adds so 

 much attractiveness to the surroundings and the beauty of the home- 

 stead as a flower garden, and if only for the pleasure of the good wife 

 and the silent education of the younger members of the family in the 

 most beautiful and entrancing art of floriculture, every effort should 

 be made to have a few beds of flowers and some ornamental trees 

 and shrubs around the house. A trellis of vines of some table 

 variety is a delight as well as distinct commercial gain, and the same 

 may be said of the passion fruit (passifiora edulis), which thrives 

 luxuriantly in moist ground, and gives a handsome return in a short 

 time. Creepers should be planted to cover up rough and unsightly 

 buildings, and they serve the double purpose of keeping the out- 

 buildings much cooler. The dolichus lignosus is a favourite creeper 

 in the warmer districts and grows very readily. The native 

 kenncdias and the bonrgaiurilha have the same recommendation, 

 and make a most gorgeous show when in flower. 



" Truck" farming, as it is known in the southern states of 

 America, that is, growing culinary vegetables and ground fruits, such 

 as melons, pumpkins, etc., on a large scale, will be dealt with 

 separately in the second edition of the Handbook of Horticulture and 

 Viticulture. There are large areas of land in this colony, in the south- 

 west, that are, by reason of the nature of the soil, the mildness of 

 the climate, and the plenteous rainfall, admirably adapted to truck 

 farming, and it is surprising that this industry has not developed 

 more than it has. Vegetables are now being grown on more than 

 a small scale with irrigation as far north as Cue, and on the Eastern 

 Goldfields ; and in Part i of the GUIDE a good deal was said about 

 the possibilities of this culture in the south-west Land Division. 



