V 



IRISH GARDENLNG 



trees heavily coated with lichens it may be used 

 at a streni<th one gallon tf> tit'teen j^allons water. 

 Copper sprayers should not be used for linie- 

 sul])hur before V:)einjj: thoroughly coated inside 

 with stiff grease, such as cart grease, and washed 

 out with clean water immediately spraying is 

 linished for the day. Tlie Virex-brass alloy 

 " Holder " Knapsack Sprayer is not affected by 

 lime-sulphur. 



The Vegetable Garden. 



r$y Arthur Horton, Gardener to Colonel Claude 

 Cane, St. Wolstan's, Celbridge. 



During the short dark days of Deceniber the 

 vegetable gn>wer niust be cf)nstantly on the aleit, 

 and ]>ush forward all seasonable work so that he 

 may be in a ]iosition to commence the new year 

 with a clear conscience and a clean slate. 



The gardener who has his work well in hand 

 at the beginning of the season has a distinct 

 advantage over those who are behind by being 

 iu a position to carry out everything at the 

 proper time, which is one of the most important 

 points in successful gardening- 



In most establishments leaves are plentiful, 

 and if clean are of great value for various purposes. 

 Where long .stable litter is used for hotbeds or for 

 forcing rhubarb and seakale in the permanent 

 beds, the tem])erature will be steadier and more 

 prolonged if a good proportion of leaves is well 

 naixed through the litter, and turned two or three 

 times at intervals of about a week before it is 

 required. 



At C'hristmas and New Year, vegetables are 

 generally in great demand, and any out of season 

 dish is much ai)i>reciated. Fresli batches, there- 

 fore, of asj)aragus, rhubarb and seakale should 

 be brought forward as advised in last month's 

 notes, to keep up the su])])ly. The forcing of 

 seakale in the ]»ermanent beds may be com- 

 menced any time during this month. All 

 decayed leaves should be removed and a good 

 heap of ashes ])laced over the crowns and covered 

 with pots made for the i>ur])ose. If these are 

 not available barrels or boxes will dt) as well. 

 Then around and over them place the fermenting 

 material, it being most essential to exclude light 

 and cold air. As a rule seakale forced in this 

 manner forms stronger heads, and is of much 

 better flavour than when grown inside in a higher 

 and drier temperature. 



If too many broccoli turn in at one time and 

 are not needed for ]>re.sent requirements, they 



should be lifted with a fork and daui]) moss tied 

 round the rf)ots and suspended head downwards 

 in a cool, dark shed, where they will remain in 

 good condition for a fortnight. 



To ])revent further decay all dead leaves should 

 betaken oft" Brussels sprouts and all winter greens. 

 Plants of (cauliflowers required for s])ring ])lanting 

 pricked out in cold frames will need careful 

 attention ; water only when really necessary ; air 

 must be kept on night and day, and during line 

 weather the lights should be removed altogether. 

 If the soil becomes covered with green " moss,' 

 which often occurs in some spoils, it will be an 

 advantage to give it an occasional stir uj) between 

 the plants with a i)ointed stick, and apply a good 

 dusting of fresh slacked lime. 



During severe weather celery will require some 

 protection. If this precaution is not taken a 

 large percentage will be lost by decaying at the 

 heart. Straw, hay or bracken are all suitable for 

 the purpose, but must be removed during fine 

 weather. 



Trenching. — The method and value of trench- 

 ing is well known to practical gardeners, but 

 to the amateur or those who have not practised 

 it a few words on the subject will not be out of 

 place. The proper time for carrying out this 

 particular work is a very debatable subject with 

 some gardeners. Personally I think too much 

 stress is often broiight to bear on this point. 

 Unless the ground is badly drained or excep- 

 tionally wet, the earlier it is done in the autumn 

 the better, as the weather is generally more 

 favourable, and what is of more imi)ortance, other 

 work is not so ])ressing. My exi)erience is that 

 if neglected during the early part of the year the 

 chances are against it being done at all. In 

 commencing to trench a piece of ground begin at 

 the lower end by taking out an o])ening about 

 three feet in width, and to the de])th intended 

 to trench. The opening taken out must be 

 wheeled to the opi)osite end, where it is intended 

 to iini.sh. The dejjth must be determined by the 

 nature of the groimd, about two feet six inches 

 to three feet is a good average. 



Two sticks and a line should be used to mark 

 out each width as the work proceeds. The top 

 spading of the second will naturally be ])laced in 

 the bottom of the opening taken out, thus 

 reversing the original ])osition of the soil, by 

 bringing the bottom to the top. There should 

 be no attemi>t made to break up the soil finely, 

 the action of the weather during the winter 

 months will do this effectually. 



If the bottom si)ading is considered not good 

 enough to bring to the surface, if dug and mixed 

 with leaf-mould, garden refuse or rough manure, 

 it will in cour.se of time render it of a better 

 descri])tion than before to a much greater dei)th. 



END OF VOLUME IX. 



