34 



IRISH GARDENING 



cited, freshness and '' fit for table " rightly 

 carried premier honours. 



Timing Vegetables. — Not only does the grower 

 of vegetables for exhibition need to prepare the 

 ground for their reception, and to watch them 

 carefully throughout the season, helping then 

 with stimulants if need he, giving each ample 

 room for development, and keeping the soil free 

 from weeds by use of the hoe; but, as the date 

 of the show approaches, and his entry form has 

 gone forward, he will have to hasten (or retard 

 if it is possible) vegetables upon which he may 

 count as amongst the " probaVsles." The 

 weather, of course, is largely responsible for the 

 maturing of vegetables, some of which come to 

 their top form quicker than others. One may 

 mention Cauliflowers and Lettuce as examples 

 which cannot be retarded to any degree of satis- 

 faction. The " freshman " should, if at all pos- 

 sible, arrange his exhibits at home beforehand, 

 going over each entry with schedule in hand, so 

 that it corresponds in every particular. He ought 

 also to give himself ample time to lift or cut hl.s 

 produce, washing very carefully any that may 

 be necessary, as in the case of Potatoes, Beet, 

 Carrots, &c., without damaging the skin. The 

 one who aims at success will not delegate to others 

 what he can do himself, but will personally 

 attend to every detail. 



Results. — The fiist-time exhibitor is apt to re- 

 gard his produce of first-class excellence until it 

 is placed in competition with vegetables grown 

 by those of wider knowledge and experience; but 

 he should not allow failure to daunt him, but 

 make it a stepping-stone to future success, learn- 

 ing from the book of his own experience what to 

 avoid and what to endeavour to accomplish, 

 taking with a good grace the award of the judges, 

 who very rarely make mistakes. I am convinced 

 of this fact, that even supposing a man does not 

 achieve honours the first time of showing, he is 

 better for having attempted to grow something 

 out of the ordinary, and the next time he will 

 have knowledge at his command that will stand 

 him in good stead, and bring him nearer to his 

 exhibits receiving awards. 



W. LiNDERS Le.\. 



Allotments. 



The re))ort has recently been issued containing 

 the reconnnendations of the Committee appointed 

 in Great Britain to investigate the present position 

 as regards the iirovision of allotments by local 

 authorities. It is probable then, that, so far as 

 Great Britain is concerned, legislation will shortly 

 l)e introduced to remedy the present unsatisfactory 

 position of allotment holders. Local authorities 

 in thv past had, under the Small Holdings and 

 Allotments Acts, power to provide allotments, and, 

 subject to certain conditions, could acquire land 

 compulsorily for the same purpose. In many 

 cases, however, they were unwilling to move in 

 the matter, but the condition of affairs has under- 

 gone considerable alteration. Even allotment 

 holders are now organised, and are quite capable 

 of bringing into effect the powers which exist by 

 legislation but were allowed to become a dead 

 letter. With regard to security of tenure the 

 position is admittedly a difficult one, but an 

 amicable arrangement could, no doubt, be arrived 

 at.' with but little trouble to the interest concerned. 

 The month of March is a busy one for the allot- 

 ment holder, and it is important that arrears of 

 work should now be completed, otherwise if the 



opportunities are neglected now important time 

 will be lost. On heavy land the soil cannot be 

 n;ade into a suitable condition for sowing seeds 

 at a moment's notice, and owing to recent rains 

 such land is not easily worked, and it will be wise 

 not to attempt working such land when it is wet. 

 However, as soon as it shows appearance of drying 

 it may be turned up and pulverized with a fork. 

 With land of this description it is a wise plan to 

 delay sowing until the soil is in fair condition, 

 and, with the drying winds of March, a few days 

 often effect a great improvement. As a contrast 

 a light sandy soil can be worked in almoL5t any 

 kind of weatlier. 



Roots of Parsnijis in the ground will be com- 

 mencing to grow again, and should therefore be 

 lifted and stoied in a bed of ashes in a shady 

 position. 



VEGET.4BLE Marrows may lie .-own in small pots 

 t'> provide plants for planting in the open grotnid 

 later. These plants will come into bearing several 

 weeks in advance of those sown directly into the 

 open ground. 



CiULii'LOWERS. — Plants from seeds sown in the 

 autumn, and which have been wintered in frames 

 are now fine sturdy plants. Where the land is in 

 fit condition they may soon be planted out, and 

 previous to doing this, the plants should be 

 hardened for this purpose. Canliflowers prefer a 

 rich soil, and after planting a good dusting with 

 lime is often necessary to keep away slugs. 



Autumn Sown Onions. — These may be trans- 

 planted at any time now. The plants require to 

 lie carefully lifted, and if planted too deeply often 

 form long necks. The rows can be fifteen inches 

 apart, and the plants six to eight inches in the 

 row. Try to make the plants quite firm in the 

 soil without ijlanting too deeply. It is sometimes 

 necessary to water the plants inmiediately after 

 planting. 



Leeks. — This crop may be sown either broadcast 

 in beds or in drills. Thin sowing is specially re- 

 connnended, as the young plants often have to 

 remain a considerable time in the seed bed before 

 they can be planted out. This is one of the most 

 juofitable crops for an allotment holder to grow. 



Celery. — Where the opportunity exists for sow- 

 ing Celery, so that a little heat can be given, the 

 main crop of Celery can now be sown. The seeds 

 should be sown in boxes containing light sandy 

 soil, making the compost firm and fine, and level 

 on the surface. The seeds should be just covered 

 with finely sifted soil and then watered. Then 

 cover the' hoxi-g with she(-ts of paper until the 

 seedlings appear. 



Potatoes. — Allotment iiolders are often anxious 

 to get the Potatoes planted, luit except in very 

 favourable places, it is far better to defer plant- 

 ing until next month. Much better than too early 

 planting is to place the tubers in boxes to sprout, 

 e.?pecially the early varieties. 



Cabbages. — These plants will now benefit by a 

 small dressing of nitrate of soda. Soil can then 

 be drawn to the plants and the hoe run between 

 the rows. Sow seeds of a quick growing variety, 

 such as Empress, to come into bearing after the 

 autump-sown plants. 



The Flower Border. — Sweet Peas may be sown 

 now, as soon as the soil is in a suitable condition 

 and the weather favourable. An easy way tp grow 

 Sweet Peas, where good flow-ers with serviceable 

 stems are expected, is to dig a trench up to two 

 feet deep, and to replace the soil gradually, mixing 

 in manure, old turf or other suitable materials. 

 This is much lietter than placing one single thick 



