144 



IRISH GARDENING. 



Cabbage. — The weather of late has been ideal 

 for the growth of the plants, and those i aised 

 from seed sown the latter end of July are making 

 good plants, and will be ready for transference 

 to their permanent quarters this month. Ground 

 that has been cropped with early Potatoes and 

 well worked will need only forking over and 

 levelling after giving a good dressing of wood- 

 ashes and soot. Two feet between the lines and 

 a foot between each plant will be sufficient for 

 the earliest maturing varieties. Ground that is 

 not in such good condition as the above-men- 

 tioned should be well dug and liberally manured. 

 The site occupied by Onions is an ideal one for 

 this crop. 



Carrots. — These have done remarkably well 

 this year contrary to expectations, due largely to 

 the frequent showers causing a quick growth, and 

 in our own case the crop has been entirely free 

 from the damaging effects of the Carrot fly. 

 Choose a fine day for rising the main crop before 

 the roots begin to split. Cut off the tops and store 

 in a cool root shed in sand or ashes and protect 

 from rats. 



Turnips. — These may be lifted and stored 

 similarly to Carrots or pitted in the open ground 

 and used as required. 



Tripoli Onions. — A sowing may still be made 

 if necessary in the early part of the month with 

 every chance of success, but choose a site on a 

 south border. 



Beetroot. — Roots of the Globe variety may be 

 lifted and stored, and the ground utilised for 

 another crop. Avoid damaging the roots in any 

 way, and remove the tops l)y twisting off. There 

 is no need to hasten the lifting of the main crop 

 until growth is properly finished, as the crop will 

 take no harm. 



Cauliflowers. — Where autumn sowing is prac- 

 tised seed .should be sown during this month and 

 afterwards pricked out in skeleton frames at four 

 inches apart and in soil that is not too rich. 



Celery. — The main crop at present is looking 

 well, the frequent rains having suited it im- 

 mensely. A frequent dusting of manure or soot 

 during such periods wall help it to make plenty 

 of growth. Keep the trench free from weeds. 



Potatoes. — Take every opportunity of examin- 

 ing these, and especially if any disease is sus- 

 pected, and reject any showing the slightest 

 trace, and do not hesitate to dust with slaked 

 lime, and by frequent turnings the whole of the 

 tubers will become evenly coated. 



Brussels Sprouts. — The plants from the 

 earliest sowings have by now made good speci- 

 mens, and will he improved by having any of 

 the lower leaves removed that are showing signs 

 of decay, which will serve to admit more air and 

 encourage freedom of growth of the sprouts. 

 Support the plants if necessary with stout sticks 

 or by moulding up soil to the lower part of the 

 stems. 



Broccoli. — Where these were planted on such 

 sites as old strawberry beds without much pre- 

 paration the plot will be much improved and 

 benefited if the whole can be forked over wlien 

 the pressure of work slackens, merely pointing 

 the surface of the ground to admit a' freer pas- 



sage of rains, and if the plants were at all leggy 

 at planting time, which will, I think, be a 

 common occurrence this season, the plants may 

 be steadied in the same way as other Brassicas 

 by drawing up soil to their base. 



Other work in the Kitchen Garden will consist 

 of the eradication of seedling weeds at every 

 opportunity and generally attending to appear- 

 ance by tlie removal of all rubbish to the smother 

 fire. Towards the end of the month be on the 

 look out for a touch of frost, which might put 

 an end to such tender subjects as Runner 

 Beans and Vegetable Marrows, and if these can 

 be protected for one night only their yield is 

 often continued for some time afterwards. Late 

 Peas showing any signs of mildew should be 

 syringed at once. 



The Hardy Fruit Garden. 



The fruit room, if not already attended to, 

 should be got in readiness for the storage of 

 fruits as they become ready to pick. A thin layer 

 of clean straw placed on the shelves just sufficient 

 to steady and keep them in position is as good 

 as anything I know, and will allow of the air 

 circulating through. Avoid picking too early 

 or the fruits will shrivel before their season of 

 cooking or eating arrives; but pick when they 

 part easily from the fruiting spurs, or else, in the 

 event of a wind, the greater part will be blown 

 down and rendered more or less useless. Choose 

 fine weather and the middle part of the day 

 when the fruit is perfectly dry, and handle as 

 carefully as possible, having a good supply of 

 suitable baskets from which the fruits may be 

 easily transferred from the trees to the fruit 

 room with the minimum amount of handling. 

 Examine Peaches daily for ripe fruit, carefully 

 placing them in boxes lined with soft wood-wool. 

 Woodlice and earwigs have been very trouble- 

 some here this season. As soon as the trees are 

 cleared syringe them again freely, and especi- 

 ally if spider is troublesome, or if infested with 

 scale use a good insecticide as per the maker's 

 directions. I prefer to leave the pruning of these 

 till the winter, though no doubt the loosening of 

 the growths is conducive to their better ripen- 

 ing, but unless tied up again, which means a 

 good deal of extra labour, the growths are liable 

 to injury by wind. 



The P'lower Garden. 



For earliest flowering sow Sweet Peas and grow 

 as coolly and sturdy as possible, as then the 

 plants will not be harmed later if exposed to 

 frosts. Propagate Violas by spreading out the 

 growths, after cutting off the flower heads and 

 placing some finely-sifted soil about the base of 

 the plant when plenty of rooted cuttings may be 

 obtained later. If not already attended to, push 

 on the work of propagating the stock, for next 

 season, of bedding plants. 



Calceolarias, Marguerites, Pentstemons, Ver- 

 onicas may be struck in cold frames, and Ger- 

 aniums, after allowing them to wilt in the sun, 

 in boxes and stood out of doors. Propagate suffi- 

 cient of such subjects as Ageratum, Iresine, 

 Alternanthera, Salvias, Heliotrope, &c., as well 

 as provide stock plants for producing cuttings in 

 the spring. 



