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IRISH GARDENING. 



gi'asses, but successful only on some good soils. 

 The various clovers are also dealt with. From 

 amongst many interesting details we would draw 

 special attention to one remark : " The ordinary 

 commercial seed of White or Dutch Clover is now 

 generally realised not to give a lasting plant of 

 White Clover." Wild White Clover is, as usual, 

 spoken of in the highest terms. No person who 

 has ever seen its results could do otherwise. 



Among " Miscellaneous Plants " Chicory is the 

 only one mentioned. It is doubtful if even it is 

 worth including in mixtures for this country. 

 The writer gives typical mixtures used by 

 different authorities. 



As per usvial these vary very widely, bvit all 

 are agreed on the value of Perennial Ryegrass 

 (in moderate quantities). Cocksfoot, Timothy, 

 Red Clover and Wild White Clover. 



A table is given to show that equally heavy 

 crops of hay can be produced without the rye- 

 grasses as with them. This may be. but the 

 mixtures used are too complicated to our mind 

 to permit of any such conclusions being drawn. 

 For example, late-flowering Red Clover is used 

 in some plots, whereas Broad Red Clover was 

 used in others. Our experience has been that the 

 latter does not give as heavy a crop as the former, 

 but the quality is not so coarse. 



The " Purchase of Seed " is briefly dealt with. 

 Points, such as " The origin of the seeds," most 

 important, though hitherto almost entirely un- 

 noticed, are brought into prominence. 



A brief summary is drawn up. One point 

 emphasised in it is worth considering: "The 

 intimate connection that exists between well- 

 managed grass land and fertile arable land." 

 In the tillage districts in Ireland where the land 

 is not naturally fertile, it is common knowledge 

 that if a field can be got to graze well, it will crop 

 well in its turn. 



We would commend the paper to all interested 

 in this subject, for as the author truly states : 

 " In this country, with its varied geological and 

 climatic conditions, there are many districts 

 where — even under a greatly improved system 

 of agriculture — grass will for a long time to come 

 take a prominent, although no longer over- 

 whelming, position in the methods of farmrn^ 

 practised. A maximum increase in our food 

 supplies can therefore only be obtained if 

 endeavours to extend the area under the plough 

 go hand in hand with plans for the improvement 

 of grass land." J. D. (Co. Down) 



A Rare Insect. 



Early in June a very remarkable insect was 

 found in the Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. It was 

 found hovering on plants trained to a wall, and 

 being much larger than any ordinary Dragon fly, 

 it was immediately put down as something out 

 of the ordinary. The specimen was sent to Dr. 

 Scharff of the National Museum, and turned out 

 to be a rare species, Brachyton pratense. The 

 writer adds : "I may mention that Dragon flies 

 are among the most useful insects we possess. 

 They not only live entirely on gnats and other 

 flies j but the latter actually seem to have a holy 

 terror of them." 



The body of the Dragon fly was a full 3 inches 

 long, yellow with black rings, with a large head 

 and transparent grey wings. 



"P." 



Gardens in War Time. 



Vegetables should be grown instead of flowers, 

 or at most only a small part should be devoted 

 to flowers. 



A small part of the garden, a warm corner 

 well drained but not heavily manured, should be 

 set aside for the purpose of seed saving. 



Sow in this garden say, one dozen or more 

 seeds of each of the following : — Scarlet Runners, 

 Dwarf Beans and Hai'icot Beans. Scarlet 

 Runners may be grown without stakes or poles. 

 Sow the seed 2 feet apart each way, and as soon 

 as the point (the cvxrling tip which makes the 

 twining stem) is visible, pinch it out and similarly 

 pinch out any branches which later on show 

 signs of running. Do not pick any of the 

 pods for eating purposes. When the pods are 

 thoroughly ripe and beginning to turn yellow, 

 pull up the plants and hang them in bundles in 

 a warm, dry place. As soon as the pods are 

 thoroughly dry they may be shelled, any bad 

 seeds thrown away, and the good seeds spread 

 on sheets of brown paper in a warm (but not 

 hot), dry place. As soon as the pods are 

 thoroughly dry they should be placed in paper 

 bags or in seed packets, and kept in a cool, dry 

 room . 



To test germination of seed to be sown, place 

 moistened, but not wet, pieces of flannel or 

 blotting paper in two saucers. Place in one of 

 the saucers 20 or more seeds which have been 

 soaked in water overnight. Cover the saucer 

 containing the seed with the other and place it 

 in a warm room, taking care, however, that the 

 flannel or other material does not get dry. Inspect 

 daily, and as soon as a seed shows its root remove 

 it, and after a time, varying according to the 

 different seeds from a week or a fortnight, work 

 out the percentage of germination. If the sample 

 seeds have germinated well the remainder shovild 

 be kept for next year. 



Seed left over from last year should be tested 

 and used in preference to this year's ,.«eed If it 

 germinated fairly well. 



All gardenersjslt&trfd exercise economy in seed 

 -'Sowing. TSIany gardeners sow seed too thickly. 

 Seed is precious now. and no more should be sown 

 than is necessary. Before sowing, the number of 

 plants required for the ground may usefully be 

 estimated. A good rule is to .sow no more than 

 twice as many seeds as the number of plants 

 required, although in the case of seeds which do 

 not long retain their powers of germination 

 (parsnips for instance), rather more should be 

 sown. 



Seed liable to be eaten by mice or birds should 

 be moistened, rubbed in powdered red lead (a 

 poison), and then planted. 



Late summer sowing should be practised, and 

 a good breadth of garden beet should be sown 

 in the latter pai't of July or at the beginning of 

 August, for winter use. 



If expert advice is required and cannot be 

 obtained locally, apply to The Secretary, Food 

 Production Department, 72 Victoria Street, 

 London, S.W.i. 



Any surplus which may be produced should 

 not be wasted. Advice and assistance as to the 

 disposal and preservation of surplus produce may 

 be obtained on application to the Food Production 

 Department if not available locally. 



If advice on this and other subjects is required. 



