VIU 



IRISH GARDENING 



Correspondence* 



NOTKS FKOM A CoUNTY UoWX (iAKUKN. 

 YOUK article on Allotment (iardens after tlie war 

 .seems to be a very tiuioly one, as surely tlie end 

 is nearly in sight. 



In the town near which I li\ e over 100 allot- 

 ments were taken up last year, and those, it is 

 <>enerally understood, have done immense fiood 

 in the neighbourhood in many ways. They have 

 brought all classes together in friendly rivalry : 

 politics,religious|differences, and social distinctions 

 have been sunk, and all have assisted each other 

 in their wooing of Mother Nature. 



I do not think building operations will interfere 

 for several years, and then only by gradual 

 stages ; and I do think the allotment garden has 

 come to stay, as it is a great means of grace and 

 its reward is certain. 



In games a man may sow but sometimes will 

 not i*eap, as when a long practised cricketer goes 

 out for a " duck," and golf requires a decade, if 

 then, to be in the first rank. It is not so Avith the 

 Allotment, " a man reaps as he sows." Dig 

 deeply, manure heavily, topdress frequently, are 

 not bad " saws." 



I was well pleased with your fruit chart, it 

 shows up the prospects at a look. I would like 

 to assist next year. 



Is Atropa Belladonna an English wildflower ? 

 I cannot see it in John's Flowers of the Field 

 [Yes, but not very common. — Ed.] I think it 

 will do best in sun like other plants if it has a 

 deep root-run. Has Mrs. Bland reail " The 

 Harvester," by Gene Stratton Porter ? it would 

 interest her. I do not think Cabbages in Rose 

 beds are a success, but Leeks might do : I am 

 trying them. 



Walter Smyth. 



Holywood, Co. Down. 



Irises and Iris Gardens. 



Under this title Messrs. E. Wallace cV Co., of 

 Colchester, have issued a delightful booklet 

 dealing with the several beautiful sections of Iris 

 which do so much to beautify our gardens in early 

 summer. The booklet is more than a mere cata- 

 logvie ; it is produced in high-class style and is a 

 valuable work of reference. The classification of 

 the various sections has been designed so as to 

 enable Iris lovers to choose exactly what they 

 want and place their Irises just I'ight as regards 

 time of flowering, colour and height. This is a 

 distinct convenience and renders the book a true 

 garden companion. The illustrations are many 

 and beautiful, and give an excellent idea of many 

 of the newest and best varieties, as well as of tlie 

 effect produced by groups and masses. The 

 descriptions arc very well done and will be a dis- 

 tinct lielp in making a selection and in arranging 

 to the best adv:'ntage. The present is considered 

 a good time to plant Irises, and in our advertise- 

 ment colmnns will be found further particulars of 

 ^lessrs. Wallace's collections. We strongly advise 

 lovers of Irises to secure a cojiy of " Irises and 

 Iris Gardens " without delay. 



Dublin Wholesale Markets. 



At tliis siason uf the yeaj'. it is always e.\|.((ted that lar.Ue 

 supplies of fruit, flowers and vegetables would Ix; sent into 

 the market, and during August this expectation was 



fully realised, 'i'lie dry weather last jiioutii hail a cletri- 

 mentaleffeet upon iStrawberries; Rasi)berries, (iooseberries. 

 Currants (black, red and white) were sent in iu large 

 quantities, but the supply became exhausted rather early 

 in the month. Ap[)les of very good quality and free from 

 disease were a prominent feature of the market. Beauty 

 of Bath, Irish I'each and Mr. (iladstone were much sought 

 after and fetched good prices. (!ra])es. Pears, Plums, 

 Peaches, Apricots and Nectarines were abundantly supplied 

 and the prices realised held firm above the average. 

 Indeed it is a matter for surprise that such good prices 

 obtain having regard to the scarcity of sugar, which one 

 would think would seriously affect the demand. In 

 consequence of the shipping difficulty in the way of foreign 

 imj^orts, home-grown Tomatoes, which have been exten- 

 sively cultivated this season, were disposed of to great 

 advantage. 



There were fairl}' large lots of flowers, which arrived in 

 a fresh condition, and were easily disposed of — Asters, 

 Carnations, Gladiolus, Gypsophilia and Sweet Pea. As 

 regards the latter, the continued showery weather during 

 the end of the month adversely affected this much prized 

 flower, large supplies of vegetables were hi evidence. 

 York Cabbage sold at the average price, but for extra 

 qualitj^ prices ranged very high. Turnips were more or 

 less a glut on the market, and the same might be said of 

 Mushrooms. Cauliflowers, Brussels Sprouts, Onions, 

 Lettuce, Thyme and Cucumbers, all of good quality, 

 brought good average prices. 



