IRISH GARDENING. 



95 



they ai-e planted,, so as to avoid injuring Uie 

 tubers by driving the stake in later. 



Attention should be given to any Eoses that 

 shows signs of greenfly, mildew, or other pests : 

 spray in the evening with Qviassia Extra t until 

 they are clean. Climbers on walis and trellis will 

 I'equire the young strong growths tied in. 



The most of our beautiful eady flowering 

 .shx"ubs require to be pi'uned efrefully as soon as 

 they finish flowering. The most of thenx flower 

 on the growths made the pi*evious year, so that 

 any growths that have flowered can be cut out — 

 that is, according to the shape or size you want 

 your bush, but sometimes they are better left to 

 Nature. 



The seed pods on Hybrid Rhododendrons E-nd 

 Azaleas ?re better picked carefully off when young. 



Keep the scuffles going in the flower border, 

 and, rake between the plants and shrubs ; if the 

 weeds get too big, hand- weeding will have to be 

 resorted, to. Stake all herbaceous plants that 

 require it ; they can never be tied satisfactorily 

 if they once get sprawling about. 



Thin out growths in Phloxes if large trusses are 

 in request, and. they will well repay for the trouble. 

 Do not neglect sprlnj^ flowering plants, such as 

 Aubrietias and Arabis, that have been lifted, a.nd. 

 of which you will rec^uire cuttings. Sow Pansies 

 and Polyanthuses in. boxes or beds, also Double 

 Daisies and Myosotis if not already done. 



According as boxes and pots are emptied they 

 should be carefulh' stowed away for future use. 

 Keep a small reserve of bedding plants in case of 

 failures in any of the beds, potting thenx on or 

 planting them in the frame ground. 



Southern and Western Counties. 



By Ernest Beckett, Gardener to Lord 

 Barrymore, Fota. 

 KiTCHEX Garden. 

 Since writing my last notes we have experienced 

 a long spell of dry weather, which lasted nearly 

 a month, but has now happily broken. Speaking 

 generally it was a great boon, for it enabled the 

 cultivator to keep down weed growth in a re- 

 markable manner, and the frequent use of the 

 hoe by loosening the soil stimulated growth, and 

 the only necessity for watering was where small 

 seeds were sown, moi'e especially broadcast, such 

 as the Brassicas, and, of course, early crops of 

 vegetables in frames and newly-planted Cabbage, 

 Brussels Sprouts, Lettuce. <.V:c. 



Fortunately, up to tlie time of writing (May 

 IJ^'tli) we have escaped any frosts capable of 

 doing damage, and early Potatoes are looking 

 remarkably well. 



PoT.\TOES. — The earliest varieties will be fast 

 maturing and many lifted this montli. Prepara- 

 tions must then be made for next season's crop 

 by selecting suitable tubers. If the tubers have 

 practically finished growing I prefer to have the 

 tray at hand and put them in straight away, 

 carefully labelling, and leave them exposed to 

 the air, and a fair idea will then be gauged of 

 next year's requirements. If, on the other hand, 

 the tubers are immature, leave a few rows to 

 ripen off for seed purposes. 



When digging, well fork up the ground and 

 expose every Potato, large and small, otherwise 

 self-sown sets will be a great nuisance tlie follow- 

 ing sea.son, and leads to roguing if planted with 



I'otatoes again. Attend to the spraying of 

 maincrop Potatoes about the end of the month, 

 tlioroughly well moistening the under as well as 

 the upper part of the leaves, and earth up as 

 becomes necessary. 



A.SPARAGUS. — The cutting of the growths must 

 cease towards the end of the month so that 

 sufficient growth is left to mature the crowns 

 for next year's supply. ' During warm and 

 growing weather, vmless cutting is carried out 

 daily, much valuable produce will be lost. The 

 person actiuainted with tlie beds must use his own 

 discretion and treat the stronger and weaker beds 

 and portion of same accordingly. If the necessary 

 la bour can be spared now is the time to assist the 

 jjlants with copious waterings of diluted farmyard 

 manure and dustings of artificial manure in 

 sliowery weather. This is preferable to winter 

 dressings, although these, or course, benefit the 

 beds in time. I clo not advocate sowing Radishes 

 on the surface of the beds, but keep them per- 

 fectly clear from all other growth, but the alleys 

 may be cropped with Cauliflowers, &c. 



Winter Greens. — The planting of these will 

 commence this nxonth. and before doing so a 

 certain amount of consideration is necessary. 

 Onl\- those that mature early in tlie winter should 

 be planted where the ground will be required 

 early in the New Year for next season's crop, 

 and in gardens where the ground was well done 

 for the preceding crop no further manure need be 

 applied, simply levelling down the grovind and 

 making firm before planting. Early Savoys may 

 be planted IS inches each way. but more space 

 nmst be left for Drumhead and larger varieties. 

 Broccoli in variety must be kept to themselves, 

 so that the particular piece of ground they occupy 

 may be cleared in reasonable time. Tliey enjoy 

 good ground, but firm, otherwise they become 

 soft and liable to injury of a severe winter, such 

 as last, and if holes have to be made with a crow- 

 bar it is really preferable. After the moulding 

 up of I'otatoes winter greens may be planted, 

 and if the growth of the Potatoes can be kept 

 upright by means of stakes and twine, both of 

 the crops will be benefited. All available spots 

 should be planted where there is any likelihood 

 of success, such as between orchard trees, where 

 there is sufficient light and air. Water well at the 

 roots if necessary. 



Leeks. — Plant these as soon as large enough 

 in well-worked and manured soil by making holes 

 a foot deep and 9 inches to a foot apart, and 

 rather more between the rows, dropping the young 

 plants to the bottom and covering the roots with 

 a little soil. 



Peas. — Continue to sow main crop, and towards 

 the end of the month good late varieties which, 

 by reason of their strong foliage are able to with- 

 stand drought and other drawbacks. Make 

 sowings in various positions where accommoda- 

 tion for a row may be found, and early varieties 

 frequently give good returns when sown ; late 

 picking of pods should be carefully and economi- 

 cally done, selecting only those that are quite 

 fit, "and carefully examining the bottom of the 

 rows where the earliest are produced, as if allovyed 

 to remain and ripen, quickly reduce the vitality 

 of the plant and impair its further fruiting. 



An apron with a large pocket or pouch is a great 

 help, enabling the work to be done more readily, 

 and freeing both hands, so that the minimum 

 amount of'^damage is done to the haulii'.. The 

 same remarks apply to Runner Beans. 



