128 



IRISH GARDENING 



varieties are, as a rule, very heavy crojjpers and 

 may be thinned by about one-half, picking the 

 largest, and allowing the smaller ones to grow on 

 to a nxore profitable size. This affords early 

 relief to the trees, at a time when prices generally 

 rule high for first-class stuff, especially when 

 offered in flats — a package very popular in the 

 Dublin market. Early Victoria is a very tender- 

 skinned sort and requires careful handling. 



Wasps. — These destructive and trou})lesome 

 pests are unu.sually plentiful this season. Their 

 nests are easiest located on a bright day. when 

 anyone who has practised marking their flight can 

 locate a nest as far as the flight of the wasps can 

 be seen, or the trail niay be followed half a mile 

 till found. The nests, when found, should be 

 ])rom])tly dealt with. For this purpose, a .strong 

 solution of cyanide of potassium is the most 

 effective remedy for getting rid of nests cpiickly. 

 Prepare the solution as follows : — Place five 

 ounces of cyanide of potassium, commercial, in a 

 wide-mouthed bottle, such as a pickle bottle, that 

 will contain a pint of water, fill the bottle with 

 tepid water and cork securely, and in one hour 

 it will be fit for use. This bottle should now be 

 labelled dcDigerous poiso)i, and kept securely 

 locked up when not required. To destroy the nest, 

 wind a ball of tow on the end of a ])liable twig, 

 such as a willow, about two feet long ; dip the tow 

 in the bottle, then insert in the passage hole and 

 push it well into the ne.st. If the tow reaches the 

 combs, the whole nest may be immediately dug 

 out and destroyed by breaking them up with the 

 spade. If there is any doubt about the tow having 

 reached the nest ten or fifteen minutes will be 

 sufficient to render the digging out operation safe 

 from stings. There is no danger of stings from 

 wasps returning to the nest, and once the plug is 

 inserted there is no danger from those inside. To 

 avoid the unpleasant funaes of the cyanide keep 

 to the windward side of the bottle when uncorked. 

 The bottle shovild be carried by wire or strong- 

 cord. Nests may be destroyed by throwing the 

 crystals of the cyanide about the size of snaall 

 gooseberries into the hole ; its action is hastened 

 by throwing some water in after it. but the 

 immediate digging out might not be quite free 

 from stings. 



The Vegetable Garden. 



By Arthur Horton, Tiardener to Colonel Claude 

 Cane, St. Wolstans, Celbridge. 



Owing to the excei)tionally dry s])ring and 

 summer most kinds of vegetables are in a very bad 

 way, and unless rain comes in the near future the 

 outlook is anything but jtromising. Gardens that 

 have been dee])ly trenched suft'er less during 

 periods of drought than others dvig in the ordinary 

 manner, and the grower who believes and i)ractices 

 deep cultivation will during this seascjn be reaping 

 the benefit of his extra labour by getting at any 

 rate a fair cro]j which otherwise in all probability 

 would be a failure. Heavy drenchings of water 

 should be given, if possible, to such subjects as 

 peas, beans, celery and marrows. Large quanti- 

 ties of celery are lost annually by bolting or 

 running to seed which in many cases niight 

 be avoided if strict attention at all times was 

 given to watering. 



Peas at this season are frequently infested with 



thri])s and mildew ; the best preventive is good 

 cultivation and plenty of water at the roots. 

 Occasional syringings will be foinid very heli)ful 

 if given during the cool of the evening when the 

 sun is off the plants. Most subjects will be 

 greatly benefited by waterings of liriuid manure, 

 ]irovided it is not used too strong ; it is always 

 safest before using to give a good soaking of iture 

 water lirst. 



Cucumbers and Tomatoes. — The seeds of both 

 cucunxbers and tomatoes may now be sown if 

 intended for winter use, as it is most essential to 

 have strong established i^lants before the short 

 days of winter come in. In the case of tomatoes, 

 many of the best cultivators raise this batch from 

 cuttings; plants raised in this manner are always 

 stronger, and what is of more importance, come 

 into bearing mvich earlier than if grown from .seed. 

 Whichever method is ])ractised, the aim should 

 be to get as sturdy plants as possible. Plants in 

 full bearing will be much improved by occasional 

 soakings of weak liquid manure. Care should be 

 taken never to apply this if the soil is very dry and 

 the plants flagging or more harnx than good will 

 follow. Cucumbers that have been bearing fruit 

 for some time should have all useless growths 

 thinned out to make room for the young. 



Celery and Leeks. — If required early in the 

 sea.son, earthing vip may be commenced. No 

 hard and fa.st lines can be laid down for carrying 

 out this work, as so many good growers have 

 their own ]jarticular way with equally good 

 results. Personally I prefer to leave the earthing 

 up of early celery until about seven or eight 

 weeks before it is required. By doing so, in dry 

 seasons like the present, watering can be done, 

 which is most essential if good results are 

 expected. On the other hand, after a fair amount 

 of soil is added, watering to be effectual is a 

 difficult matter. Care should be taken to earth up 

 gradually. If too nxuch soil is added at one time 

 the heai't gets covered, and the plants will in all 

 ])robability be crippled. Occasional dustings of 

 fresh liuxe and soot will be a check on snails and 

 slugs, which are some of the worse enemies with 

 which the celery grower has to contend. 



Planting and Sowing. — Owing to the un- 

 favourable weather to vegetation in general many 

 blanks will require making up in the vegetable 

 quarters. If the precaution was taken to prick out 

 cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and all winter 

 greens, the resulting plants will come in u.seful for 

 this purpose, also for filling up ground previously 

 occvipied with early peas, spinach and potatoes. 

 The later •()lantings will probably be found of more 

 service than those planted a month earlier, as 

 more favourable conditions for growth are to be 

 hoped for as the season advances. 



Good breadths of leeks may still be ])lanted as 

 ground becomes vacant : this i)lanting often proves 

 of great value during late spring, especially in 

 gardens where onions are dilficult lo cultivate. 



Fi"equent sowings should be made of tiu'ni])s and 

 s])inach, also lettuce, endive, radishes, mustard 

 and cress if the weather continues hot and dry. 

 A north or west border will be fouiul the most 

 suitable for these subjects. 



From about the 20th to the 2.5th, according to 

 weather conditions, is the usual time for sowing 

 winter onions. The ground chosen for this should 

 be in the o]>en and in good heart. It is mo.st 

 important to dig the ground to a good depth, but 

 no manure will be required. 



