96 



IKISH GARDENING 



their vitality, as trees that are never ov-(;r- 

 croi)ped sehloiu tail to ])r()diue fair (•ro])s of 

 fruit. No fixed rule eau be laid down as to liow 

 uiufh fruit any ])articuiar tree should carry, as so 

 luuth depends on kinds and varieties and the 

 conditions under which the trees are grown. Aim 

 at the production of select and lirst-grade fruit 

 without overtaxing the trees. A partial thinning 

 of apples and pears should take ])lace when the 

 fruit is fully the size of a hazle nut, and the final 

 thinning of the larger sorts when they are about 

 the siz? of small walnuts. At this stage tlie most 

 perfectly formed and best placed fruit can be 

 selected to remain to mature. Plums that have 

 set an overcrop should be partially thinned with 

 a sharp-pointed scissors, and the iinal thinning 

 when the most certain stoning fruits can be 

 selected to remain. I'eaches and aijricots will 

 also require attention in thinning. 



Pinching and Summer Pruning — In skilled 

 hands who know the vigour of the trees, the ci"o]> 

 they may be carrying, and the results to be aimed 

 at, good results may be obtained by the timely 

 nii)ping the top off a shoot, leaving five or six 

 leaves. Any wrong ]jlaced shoot that may not be 

 required to form i)art of the tree may by pinching 

 be induced to form a fruit s])ur. Trained plums 

 have a tendency to greater vigour of growth at 

 the extremities than at the bottom or centre of 

 the tree. This tendency should be checked by 

 pinching the strongest growths in order to induce 

 a better balance of growth in all parts of the trees. 



.Strawberries. — Where early and strong 

 runners are required they should be laid or fixed 

 early this month, choosing, if possible, those from 

 young and vigorous ]jlantations formed last 

 August. Such i)lantations afford very choice 

 early dessert fruit the first year after planting, 

 and at the same time afford the best source for 

 providing early and strong runners for future 

 plantations. To secure i-unners from ])lantations 

 that may be carrying a croj) the first year, loosen 

 a narrow strip with a fork between every 

 alternate row, draw the best of the runners on to it 

 from each side and fix them on to the prepared 

 ground by laying a small stone on each. In very 

 dry weather a mixture of clay and fresh cow 

 manure made to the consistency of putty, and a 

 ball of it placed near the head of each runner 

 forms the best fixing for producing strong 

 runners fit to plant permanently in August. 



The Vegetable Garden. 



By Arthur HoiiTox, (iardener to ('olouei Claude 

 Cane, St. Wolstan's, Celbridge. 



Celery. — The main planting of celery should 

 be made as eai'ly in the month as possible in 

 prepared trenches, as advised in last month's 

 notes. Thoroughly water the ])lants some time 

 previous to ])lanting, and lift with as good a ball 

 as possible. It is most iniportant that the soil 

 should be made firm about the roots, ten or 

 twelve inches is the usual distance allowed 

 between the plants. Celery is naturally a 

 moisture-loving plant, consequently it is almost 

 impossible to overwater it, i)rovided tlie site 

 chosen for the trenches is well drained, naturally 

 or otherwise. If the weather is in anyway hot or 

 dry after planting a good overhead sprinkling of 

 water tlirough a medium-sized rose morning and 

 evening until the plants get established will be 

 very beneficial. Celery fiy and slugs are the two 



worse enemies to be conl (Glided with in the grijwing 

 of this vegetable : if at all inimcrous and left 

 uncheck(!d either will quickly ruin tlic whole c.ro]>. 

 The ])est preventive I know for warding <j(f the 

 celery fly is occasional si)rayings of ])aran[ln 

 emulsion, the smell being objectionable to most 

 insects. Fretiuent dustings of lime and soot are 

 probably the most effective deterrent against the 

 ravages of slugs. 



\'egetable Marrows and Coitrds. — If not 

 already accomplished these should be planted out 

 without delay. Possibly no other vegetable gives 

 such a good return with so little trouble as 

 vegetable marrows; their requirements are few 

 and management simple, any odd corner will 

 suit them provided they get a fair amount of sun. 

 An ideal ])osition is on the top of an old rubbish 

 leaf -mould or manure heap. About one barrow 

 load of manure and the same quantity of soil to 

 each plant will be found quite sutticient. C'o])ious 

 supplies of water should he given all through the 

 growing season ; if allowed to suffer at any time 

 for want of water mildew is almost sure to set in, 

 and the result will be disastrous. 



IjEEKS. — Sown outside and intended for 

 winter and s])ring use may be planted as soon as 

 they are large enough to handle. One of the 

 simplest and best methods is to draw fairly deep 

 lines with a draw hoe, allowing two feet between 

 each line. Afterwards bore holes about a foot in 

 deX)th and one foot apart ; drop the young plant 

 to the bottom of the hole, merely |)ut enough soil 

 in to cover the roots ; m(jre soil will be added when 

 hoeing between the plants. A much longer 

 blanch is obtained by gi'owing them in this 

 manner than is possible if the holes are tilled up 

 at the time of planting. In gardens where space 

 is limited it is a good practice to plant leeks on 

 grovmd X)reviovisly occupied by early potatoes, 

 although somewliat late in the season if given a 

 fair chance excellent crops can be depended on, 

 as leeks generally continue to grow all through 

 the winter. 



Brassicas. — Good breadths of cabbage, cauli- 

 flower, borecole, Brussel sprouts and broccoli will 

 require planting as early in the month as con- 

 venient. The soil should be made fairly firm, 

 especially for broccoli ; the plants will be much 

 more hardy, consequently they will have a better 

 chance of pulling through a severe winter than if 

 grown on loose, deeply cultivated rich soil. Care 

 must be taken not to ])lant too thick. In no case 

 shoiild they be less than two feet six inches 

 between the rows and about the same distance 

 from ]>lant to plant. 



Peas. — Continue sowing peas at intervals until 

 the middle of the month. As a rule about the 

 20th of .June is a good time for ])utting in the last 

 sowing; peas seldom come to maturity if sown 

 much after this date. The ground shoidd be 

 thtu'oughly i)rei)ared and care taken not to sow 

 too thickly. As there are so many good varieties 

 on the market it is hard to say which is the best 

 for late use. Autocrat and (iladstone are two 

 excellent varieties and well worth growing. 



(jrENERAi. REMARKS. — Make regular sowings of 

 French beans, carrots, turnips, s|)inach, lettuce, 

 endive, radishes, mustard and cress. Thin and 

 transplant lettuce, fork and well break u]) the 

 soil between the rows of pt)tatoes ])revious to 

 moulding u]) the drills. The staking of beans 

 and peas will also need attention. It is also of 

 much importance to kee]) the ground well stirred 

 between all growing crops. 



