IRISH GARDENING 



vuluatittu, but it i> «(iiniii, iit prt^t-iil, iillotin.nt 

 liokk'is liavc iio «lisir.- that plots slunild Ix- piv-WHr 

 in miiiilnr. Tho iiifnasi' lioro to-day is still nearly 

 ton tiiiu's tilt; mmilKT iiv'utr to 1914. 



(.'li'B 1!(H)T. WUi'U triiiisplnutiiiij; t'alilia;^('s. Cauli- 

 flowers, or any of the L,rf<'n t-roiJs. the roots kIiouKI 

 bo i>xainiiu<(l. Plants with swollen or tli-sliy roots 

 should be (h'stroyod. Jt is very proltablo such plants 

 are attaeked by ilub-rout or Hnf,'ir-aMd-tor, which 

 (lis«'ase is very prevalent on allotments owinj,' to linn- 

 not b('i)ig a|>]>lied. To most allotment holders all 

 diseases or pests whieh attack plants are «'itlier 

 eanker or grid), whiehever name is in local use. 

 (.'abbages, however, ar<' frequently attacked Ity the 

 rabbagi> ro<it fly. which produces small swellings 

 which, on being broken open, reveal n small grub. 

 Jiut club-r(X)t is a disease which attacks the Cabbage 

 family, including Turnips and even Wallflowers, and 

 is quite distinct from an insect attack. In foul land 

 both club-root and nxit fly can often be seen on the 

 jilant. Where this is the case Cabbages, ike, are 

 iH'tter not jilanted. and the land used for Potatoes or 

 any other croj). Tlie diseasse is often introduced bj' 

 plants obtained in markets, or from other plot- 

 liolders. Such plants should always be examined be- 

 fore i)lanting. 



Slugs have been extremely troublesome this season 

 on allotments. The chief hiding places for slugs and 

 snails are the grass paths which separate the plots. 

 The grass, Avhich usually is coarse and rank, provides 

 .■shelter, and esi>ccially in the winter, when slugs are 

 in a more or less dormant condition. It is wise, 

 therefore, to skim the grass from the ])aths. whieh, 

 iu any case, makes work keeping it cut during the 

 summer. Slugs are difficult to find in the daytime 

 as they feed chiefly at night.. Rows of Peas and 

 transplanted green sufifer badly; some crops seem to 

 be untouched. Fresh lime should be scattered around 

 the plants attacked. The lime should be occasionalljr 

 reiK'wed, especially after rain. Heavy dressings of 

 soot are also useful agaiiist slugs. If the pests are 

 very prevalent a good dressing of gas lime should be 

 a])plied to the land in the winter. 



PoT.\TO Spk.wing. — The period for spraying is 

 near at hand. The exact time depends, of course, 

 on the state of growth of the crop. Jt is quite 

 certain that, in thi.s country, spraying properly 

 carried out results in a greater yield of healthy 

 tubers. All who have spraying to do should \Aork 

 from the instructions given in the leaflet on Preven- 

 tion of Potato Blight issued by the Department of 

 Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, 

 jjarticulars of which are found in the advertisement 

 colunms of this -Journal. 



Potatoes.— All the crop will lu.w iiave Ix'en 

 planted. The early varieties are in an advanced state 

 of growth and are ready for the final moulding, lii- 

 fortuntely, throughout the north much of the early 

 crop was cut l)ack by frost. In sucli cases, where 

 there arc a large number of shoots springing from 

 the ground the A\eaker ones might be removed. The 

 soil should be constantly harrowed among rows of 

 Potatoes. This harro\\ing is too often neglected on 

 plots. From the time the Potatoes are through the 

 ground constant tillage is necessary. 



Genebal Work.— During this month we try to 

 plant out as many Cabbages, CauHflowers, Sprouts, 

 Savoy and Kale as we can find land for, also utilising 



the ground between rows of early Potatoes. The best 

 lime is, of course, to plant with showers of rain, 

 postponing all other work when there is a possibility 

 of getting these crtips out. If this is not possible the 

 plants should be given a good watering in the seed 

 ijed. It occasionally happens that land is not at the 

 moment available and the plants are becoming draw n 

 iu the seed ImhIs. In this case it is a gfx)d practice 

 to make up a bed and transplant fairly close 

 fog<'ther. Mheii Uroad Beans have reached the rc- 

 <]uirfd height the tops should be broken off. I'sually 

 Black Fly makes this necessary in any case. Onion 

 and Carrot IhkIs will benefit by an occasional dusting 

 of s(K)i, and especially innnediatvly any thinning out 

 has been done. When spraying Potatoes the Celery 

 might also be sprayed, but care is necessary to use 

 only a weak aoluliun of the spray. 



pAiiSi.KV. — To keep up tlie supplies dm-ing the 

 winter and sjiviug months seeds should be sown 

 to follow that sown earlier. The ground ought to 

 be well prej)ared for Parsley- in winter. If the gi'ound 

 is heavy old mortar rubble is useful to Avork into the 

 surface of the soil. Thin out the seo<llings to about 

 six inches apart and give them an occasional dusting 

 with soot. 



Leeks. — When the plants are large enough they 

 shoidd be transplanted. The crop paj-s for a liberal 

 addition of manure to the land. The j^lants can be 

 set out in )ows about twelve inches or more apart, 

 and about eight inches between the plants. With a 

 flat-bottomed dibbler make some good holes at least 

 six inches deep and into these drop the plants. Just 

 sufficient soil should fall into the hole to cover the 

 roots. A common practice is to cut the ends from 

 the leaves, but a very slight trimming is all that is 

 necessary; the object seems to be to prevent worms 

 taking the leaves into the soil. G. H. 0. 



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 Garue.v. 



.Asi'AiiAiius. — Do not cut the Asparagus harder than 

 is aljsohiiely necessary, as it weakens the crowns for 

 ftidn*" bearing. Give the beds a vegetable manure 

 and keep perfectly clear of weeds. Judiciously thin 

 the weak growths, and support those that are left. 

 See that the beds do not suffer from want of water. 



Aktichokes. — Cut and use the Chokes before they 

 open. i\Iulch witji good manure if not already done, 

 and keep the i)lants well supplied with water. 



CAiutoTs. — A good sowing of Matchless Carrot may 

 be made for winter supplies, also Early Nantes, for 

 using young. Iveep the hoe well ])lied between the 

 main crops and give'au occasional dusting with soot. 

 Sjjray the foliage with clear soot water on liot nights. 



Cucumbers. — Watch the Cucumbers during hot 

 weather and shade slightly. Add a little soil to the 

 roots as soon as thej'- are through the mounds, care- 

 fully thinning the growths and fruits, so that the 

 ])]ants do not suffer; give air cautiously. Personally, 

 I never open the ventilators in the Cucumber lionses; 

 but tmless on<? has experience this is not advisable. 



