IRISH GARDENING. 



187 



the surface soil in the same position, unless the 

 ground has been previously trenched, and then, 

 of course, it may be turned rompletely over again. 

 It is I think admitted that dark soils are more 

 favourable for the retention of warmth, and the 

 greater depth of soil will ensure better drainage, 

 and also a freer use of manure and a deeper root- 

 ing mediiun. A rotation of cropping here will 

 prove advantageous, if possible. Where intended 

 for Potatoes and Peas liberally manure, but for 

 Carrots, Turnips, &c., if the ground is in good 

 heart, a dusting of lime or basic slag should be 

 sufficient, and then, at the time of sowing, wood 

 ashes and soot may be raked into the surface. 

 Soils that are inclined to be heavy are better 

 ridged, as by so doing the weather is ahle to act 

 upon them better and a finer tilth is secured. 



PoT.^TOES. — Where means are available for grow- 

 ing the earliest supplies in pots or planted out in 

 houses, the seed must receive every encourage- 

 ment to form strong sprouts. If they are back- 

 ward in that way place the trays in a slightly 

 warmer structure and spray over on favourable 

 occasions. Leafmould usiuilly forms the greater 

 part of the compost, as it is necessary that it 

 should be fairly liglit in texture, and a little lime 

 worked through it and turned occasionally will 

 make it sweeter and in every way improve it. 

 Pits and frames that were filled with leaves last 

 year for growing the same should he now emptied 

 and refilled again for the same purpose. The 

 half-rotted leaves are a valuable asset in many 

 ways, and a layer .should l)e placed on top of the 

 newly collected ones to prevent the latter being 

 blown about. Tread thoroughly and allow them 

 to settle before placing any soil on the top. Take 

 advantage during inclement weather to repair 

 and well wash the lights. A very important 

 factor at this time of the year. 



Onions. — These are keeping none to well with 

 me this season, having a marked tendency to 

 grow out. Keep the structure where stored as 

 cool as possible. Frost will not injure them, and 

 economise by using the roughest first. Onion seed 

 is, I believe, very dear, and will probably be 

 scarcer next time, so that any good samples may. 

 if wished, be placed aside and planted in spring 

 for seed production. 



Horseradish. — The roots may now be lifted and 

 the largest and straighest specimens stored in 

 ashes under a north wall for use as required, and 

 the rest placed aside for planting in the spring. 

 As everyone knows stock can easily be increased 

 by planting every little root. Deeply worked 

 ground, and leaving the sets two inches beneath 

 the surface, will ensure ideal roots. 



Rhubarb. — For forcing an intermediate tem- 

 perature is to be prepared, as then the stalks will 

 not come so spindly. A little light, too, will en- 

 sure better colour also. It is really immaterial 

 whether any soil is put over th" crowns or not, 

 so long as damping down is carried out judici- 

 ously. 



French Beans. — Where sufficient heat is at com- 

 mand and care and attention given them a sow- 

 ing can be made in pots, and for the earliest 

 eight inches in diameter will suffice. Crock care- 

 fully to ensure good drainage, and use a fairly 

 light compost. Spent mushroom bed manure is 

 ideal for the purpose of lightening the loam, 

 which should also be of a fibrous character, if 

 possible. The seed may be germinated quickly 

 by standing the pots on the hot water pipes, but 



directly the seed leaves appear they must be 

 elevated as near the light as can be. 



Seakale. — The plot may now be cleared of de- 

 cayed leaves and other rubbish, and lifted or left 

 in the ground, and dug as required for forcing, 

 it being just a matter of choice. Preserve the 

 side roots for making sets for next year's planta- 

 tion, and any roots not strong enough for forcing, 

 which should have the crown cut off. If these are 

 tied in Inuidles of twenty-five or fifty a rough 

 estimate of the requisite number can be obtained. 

 Beds grown for producing Natural Kale, that is 

 blanched without removal, and whereby excellent 

 produce is obtained at a time when winter greens 

 are often scarce and consequently uuich appre- 

 ciated, should be cleaned off in the same way. 

 and a light mulch applied, and covered with a 

 little soil from the alleys, which will leave the 

 beds for the time being in a tidy manner. The 

 covering will in February have to ))e increased 

 by another nine inches of fint-ly broken soil or 

 ashes. 



Cabbage. — Keep the ground loosened with the 

 hoe, and if the plants need it draw a little soil 

 to the base of them. This is especially necessary 

 in wiud-swept localities, and serves as a protec- 

 tion also against cold and slugs. 



Jerusalem Artichokes. — These, as well as Par- 

 snips, are l;est left in the ground, where they 

 keep nnich l)etter, and the slightest mulching of 

 the ground, if necessary, will admit of their being 

 dug in hard weather. 



Continue to earth latest supplies of Celery, and 

 during bad weather time may be profitably spent 

 by making seed l)oxes. Potato trays, &c.. Clean- 

 ing and repairing tools, sheds, and limewashing 

 the same. Sifting old potting soils, sorting Pota- 

 toes and roots, and doing everything possible to 

 alleviate the pressure of spring work, and try and 

 partly compensate for the general deficiency of 

 labour. 



The Flower Garden. 



The work of pruning the hardier climbing 

 Roses on walls, fences, &c., may be carried out 

 now. ])ut leave the necessary attention to the 

 Rose garden proper till a later season, excepting 

 that the l)eds'will l)e benefited by a light mulch, 

 but avoid the use of heavy applications of wet 

 farmyard manure, which only makes the earth 

 colder. Hard Vines may also he pruned back, 

 and other hardy shrubs needing spin-ring, for 

 instance, Buddleia variabilis, and Hydrangea 

 ])aniculata. Shrubberies may be forked through 

 and weeds of annual duration, and not seeding 

 and leaves, and other rubbish buried. Pro- 

 tection given also to tender trees and shrubs. 

 Spruce branches are excellent for the purpose, 

 when pointed and thrust into the ground and 

 made secure against wind. Bracken, too. forms 

 o-ood protecting material, and small, choice 

 plants often surrounded by wire cages to prevent 

 injury may be fitted loosely. Sifted coal ashes 

 placed round plants of a herbaceous character 

 forms a good protection and also wards off attacks 

 of sluo-s when growth recommences in spring. 

 Hay bands nlaced round Tree Ferns and Banana 

 stems where" growing out in the more favoured 

 climes will also give increased protection. Push 

 on the work of cleaning up leaves and rubbish 

 as fast as nossible. If sufficient have been stored 

 the rest may be burnt when dry, a qtnck method 



