IRISH GARDENING. 



15 



Southern and Western Counties. 



By Ernest Beckett, Gardener to Lord 

 Barrymoie. Fota. 



The Kitchen Garden. 



It is scai'cely necessary for me to emphasise the 

 importance already urged by other writers, to 

 increase the quantity and quality of our home- 

 grown foodstuffs as far as one possibly can, 

 within his own particular scope, in the interest 

 of the nation ; and I think in such times as these 

 we are now passing through that such work 

 should claim the greater share of our attention. 

 In order to economise labour and to use the 

 supply of manure available to the best advantage, 

 a rough plan should be drawn up of the position 

 the intending crops are to occupy for the forth- 

 coming season, and then the work of preparing 

 each plot can be dealt with to the best advantage 

 and the work pressed forward as speedily as the 

 climatic and other conditions allow. 



The rotiition of crops is a question which needs 

 to be studied, and although some crops, such as 

 potatoes and onions, as examples, may be grown 

 on the same site for a number of years with every 

 success, providing the ground, is suitably manured 

 each season to repair that which is lost, others, 

 such as all the Brassica tribe, require renewing ; 

 and then root crops, such as carrots, parsnips 

 and beetroot, should follow on ground that has 

 been liberally treated and worked as deep as 

 possible the previous season to prevent the tap- 

 roots coniing in contact with raw manure, and so 

 preserve their shape ; therefore in a small garden 

 especially a change of site for each subject is 

 desirable. Ground that has been liberally treated 

 with manure for several seasons will produce even 

 better results by its omission for once and a 

 dressing of lime given instead. Cai'efully save and 

 keep as dry as possible the resultant ash from all 

 smother fires ; this will be of inestimable value in 

 the spring for dressing ground previous to sowing 

 or planting. Soot also, in addition to being a 

 valuable fertiliser, is excellent for dusting growing 

 crops of every description in the early morning 

 when the dew is on them and greatly protects 

 them from insect and other pests. Take advan- 

 tage during frosty weather to haul in manure to 

 the respective quarters and every opportunity 

 when the weather is open to push on the work 

 of trenching and digging, leaving the surface soU 

 in as rough a condition as ijossible. The question 

 of trenching is a debatable one, and much depends 

 upon the nature of the subsoil and also what is 

 to occupy the ground. Personally, if the subsoil 

 is not too crude, I would not hesitate to bring it 

 to the surface for the onion bed, thoroughly well 

 working the soil and enriching it accordingly, 

 giving the young plants a deep rooting nredium 

 of the greatest value of a dry season especially. 



During inclement weather much work can be 

 done under cover that will relieve the pressure 

 which every month will bring later on. 



Potatoes. — The whole of the tubers intended 

 for planting should now be laid out thinly on 

 trays or shelves in a cool, light structure. Young 

 potatoes are usually eagerly awaited for, and for 

 the very earliest supplies may be grown under 

 glass, not necessarily with a lot of fire heat, in 

 10-inch jjots or, with perhaps better results 

 still, in empty kipper boxe.s. Use a moderately 



light soil, fairly rich ; grow as sturdily as possible, 

 supporting the growths and topdressing with a 

 similar mixture when necessary. 



Pits and frames should a'so be utilised, and, if 

 deep enough, filled up almost to the required 

 depth with freshly-fallen tree leaves, which will 

 promote a steady heat, and also use them up in 

 a tidy manner and make excellent material for 

 potting purposes and wheeling on to the ground 

 next season ; or shallow portable frames may be 

 used and the leaves enclosed with stout, rough 

 posts and slabs, and the frames placed on top. 

 In any case thoroughly well firm before placing 

 the soil on top and planting the tubers, and allow 

 at least 18 inches to 2 feet between the soil and 

 the lowest end of the light to allow for the proper 

 development of the foliage. Tubers intended for 

 planting, if not sufficiently advanced, may be 

 placed on the border of an early fruit house, and 

 lightly syringed when the weather conditions 

 permit. Plant with a trowel a foot apart all ways, 

 and if not already mixed in the soil, give a good 

 dusting of wood ashes and soot. If required 

 make a sowing or two of an early maturing radish. 



Rhubarb. — During open weather the whole 

 plot may be forked over, removing any weeds of 

 a perennial nature. Lift and expose to the 

 weather any further stools i^equired for forcing. 

 Give the bed a liberal dressing of manure, and 

 towards the end of the month a few of the 

 strongest crowns of an early variety may be 

 covered out of doors with barrels, boxes, or even 

 seakale pots, and well covered up with long 

 str?iwy litter. 



Asparagus. — If strong roots are available 

 forcing may be carried out now with every 

 success on a mild hotbed under a frame. Trans- 

 plant the crown with as little delay as possible, 

 covering well with fine soil, and thoroughly water 

 in. Unlike most other roots, Asparagus is injured 

 rather than benefited by undue exposure. 



Seakale and Chicory. — These are easily 

 forced, and where winter salads are in request the 

 latter is indispensable and easily managed. 

 Avoid too high a temperature, and whatever 

 means are devised keep absolutely dark, and apply 

 the heat as near as possible to their toes, and water 

 freely with tepid water to settle the soil about 

 them. 



Broad Beans. — Where circumstances do not 

 permit of autumn sowing an earlier crop may be 

 obtained by sowing in boxes and raising in a cold 

 frame than would be by sowing out of doors. 

 This method has nruch to recommend it, and can 

 be practised by everyone possessing a cold frame. 

 Place the beans two inches or so apart and cover 

 to the depth of half an inch. Any old potting or 

 garden soil will answer the purpose. Protect 

 from mice or rats, and thoroughly harden off 

 before placing out of doors in March, when a row 

 may be planted practically anywhere, besides the 

 usually all-too-small south border. 



Mint and Tarragon may be lifted and a few 

 roots placed in boxes and brought on in a mild 

 forcing pit. Sow a little cauliflower, such a,s Early 

 London, in a well-drained pot or pan, using sifted 

 soil, and raise in a gentle heat, keeping the 

 seedlings as near to the glass as possible, and 

 prick out into other boxes when the rough leaf 

 is formed. Where autumn sowing is practised 

 this will scai'cely be necessary. Sow a little 

 lettuce in the same way, or make a drill of each 

 on a mild hot-bed. 



