IRISH GARDENING 



45 



wise they are liable to become weak and uusatis- 

 factory. To make a succession, seeds of the variety 

 Early London, also Veitcla's Autumn Giant, should 

 be sown. The latter is one of the most viseful kinds 

 to grow and makes an excellent sort to follow Early 

 London. 



Veigetable MARROW.^Seeds can be sown in small 

 pots and kept in the dwelling-house if there is no 

 other place until the plants are large enough to be 

 planted outside. 



Cabbages. — These and other vegetables which were 

 planted out in the autumn should have the soil 

 kept stirred between the rows to encourage growth 

 and keep down weeds. The hoe should also be run 

 through the lines of Shallots and Potato Onions 

 as soon as the lines of green tops can be seen. A 

 small quantity of Nitrate of Soda will help the 

 Cabbages to grow. If the nitrate is applied during 

 rain it quickly dissolves and becomes available to 

 the plant. 



Seed Sowing. — ^Leeks and Parsnips should have 

 been sown last month. Another crop which requires 

 a long season of growth is Brussels Sprouts, and if 

 not sown last month seeds should be got in soon 

 now, so that the plants may be ready for trans- 

 planting in Jmie. Broad Beans can be sown in the 

 early months of the year, but a sowing may be made 

 this month if desirable. Globe Beet, White 

 Turnips, Lettuce and most other seeds may be 

 sown, especially the Cabbage family. In fact, for 

 ordinary purposes on the allotment April is the most 

 suitable month for the Cabbage family. With 

 ordinary cultivation seeds sown early in the month 

 will provide plants of a good size for transplanting 

 about the end of May or the beginning of June, 

 without running the risk of them becoming over- 

 crowded and weak in the seed beds. Seeds of useful 

 herbs like Parsley, Sage, Thyme and Pot Marjoram 

 should be sovs'n. Herbs are best kept in a bed to 

 themselves, or odd comers utilised. When sown 

 in the main portion of the i)lots they often intorfeiv 

 with other operations. 



The Flower Border. — Primroses and Polyanthus 

 are alwaj's admired in small gardens. The seeds 

 may be sown in a box or a cold frame now. Asters 

 and Stocks can also be so^^•n, but some heat is 

 necessary to raise these successfully. Although it 

 is usually recommended to sow Hardy Annuals in 

 groups, the allotment holder will find that sowing 

 in lines will prevent a lot of hand weeding, and as 

 the shape of the flower border is usually a rectangle 

 at the end of the plot the line system is suitable. 

 Useful kinds of annuals are Clarkia, Godetia, Candy- 

 tuft and Cornflower. Sweet Peas should also be 

 sown. Nobody who has even a small piece of 

 eround need be prevented from sowing. Mixed 

 packets of seeds are very cheap, and a few pence 

 will purchase a packet of mixed varieties. 



G. H. O. 



^w e^* ^^ 



LILAC 



The first whiff of their perfume in the garden 

 is as the very heart and soul ofmemory." — E. V. B., 

 ' A Garden of Pleasure." 



The Month's Work. 



Midland and Northern Counties. 



By Mr. F. Streeter, Gardener to H. B. Barton, 



Esq., D.L., Straffan House, Straffan, 



Co. Kildare. 



KITCHEN GARDEN. 



Asparagus Beds.— Carefully prick over the surface 

 of the permanent .\sparagus beds with a small fork, 

 breaking all lumps, and leave a very fine surface to 

 allow the young growths to come straight through 

 the soil. Give a slight dressing of a quick-acting 

 manure, and on light soils a dressing of salt. The 

 present is the best time to prepare and make new 

 beds, choosing a \Aell sheltered position. When 

 planting cover the young crowns immediately with 

 four inches of fine soil. Do not allow the young 

 plants to stay out of the ground longer than can be 

 helped. Sow seeds for future use. 



Globe Artichokes. — New plantations of Globe 

 Artichokes should now be made on well trenched 

 ground; allow a space of five feet between the roAvs 

 and four feet from plant to plant. Mulch with long 

 litter as soon as finished. 



Broad Beans.— Make a final sowing of Broad 

 Reans. Draw a little soil to the stems of earlier 

 sowings; plant any raised in boxes at the earliest 

 convenience and watch for slugs. 



Beet. — Sow a few rows of Globe Beet on a wai-m 

 border, and when the ground is in good condition 

 get in the main crops of Blood Red, Dell's Crimson 

 or Sutton's Black. Where extra choice specimens 

 are required bore for them similar to CaiTots, &c.. 



C.4ULIFL0WEP,. — Where autumn sown Cauliflowers 

 were pricked out into frames, and have been gradu- 

 ally hardened off, they will require planting in their 

 permanent quarters. Choose a rich piece of ground 

 and give a slight dressing of " Nitrate of Soda." 

 ]\lake the soil firm about the roots and do not allow 

 them to suffer from drougtt. Watch for slugs and 

 birds. Later sowings should be pricked out into 

 nursery beds and protected from harsh weather. 

 Make a final sowing of Autumn Giant. 



Carrots. — As soon as the young Carrots are 

 through the soil, dust with soot and run the Dutch 

 hoe between the rows. Make another sowing of 

 stump-rooted varieties to supply young roots. 



Potatoes. — Finish the planting of all Potatoes, and 

 give protection to the earlie.st plantings as soon as 

 tliev are through the soil. 



Peas. — Seedling Peas raised in boxes will require 

 to be planted out the first opportunity. Continue to 

 sow Main Crop Marrowfats every week; give sup- 

 pert when two inches high. Trap mice and be on 

 the alei't for slugs. 



Tomatoes. — Give Tomatoes a shift into 6-inch pots 

 for planting out: plants fruiting under glass will 

 require constant tying, disbudding and feeding. Give 

 air on all favourable occasions, and watei- with tepid 

 water. 



Lettuce. — IVfake a sowing every ten days through- 

 out the season. Prick out the plants as they become 

 fit and grow quickly. 



Cucumbers. Keep all growths carefully regulated, 



