IRISH GARDENING 



107 



prove too lic-h, rank growth unable to stand the 

 trost and cold weather is sure to follow. Keep 

 them as hardy as possible and give air on all 

 possible occasions. Jb'irst Crop and Early J.ondon 

 are excellent varieties for this work. 



Celery. — Continue to keep ;i sharp watch on all 

 Celery plants. Where paper collars are used place 

 another in position and ada a little fresh soil. 

 Dust over all the plants inquently with soot, 

 and on no account nuist the roots be allowed to be- 

 come dry. Keep the ground tree from weeds. 



M.\iN Crop foT-iTOES. — During dry weather all 

 Potatoes should be lifted and allowed a few hours 

 to dry, then dusted with lime and stored, sorting 

 them ai the same time. Place all tubers required 

 for seed into the trays and place in a frost-proof 

 shed. Do not expose the ware to the light after 

 they are dry enough to store, as they quickly 

 green. 



Spix.\ch. — Thin the plants carefully, allowing 

 .sufficient room for the leaves to develop. Keep the 

 hoe plied between the rows and give an occasional 

 dustnig of soot. Keep tlie coarse leaves picked 

 from the perpetual varieties. 



Leeks. — Continue to add fresh soil to the Leeks. 

 Be most careful to remove any decaying foliage, 

 and keep well supplied with water, both clean 

 and manure. See that no soil falls into the heart 

 of the plant. 



Beet. — As soon as the main crop Beet reaches 

 full size they should be carefully lifted and stored 

 in fine sand. Do not break the taproot, and twist 

 the foliage off with a sharp twist of the hand. 

 This early lifting will in no way affect the quality. 



Turnips. — During the recent heavy rains 

 Turniijs have germinated well and require their 

 first thinning; do not allow them to become leggy. 

 Dust with soot and keep the ground well stirred 

 with the hoe. Should Septemoer prove hot ketp 

 well supplied with water. 



French Beans. — Have the lights in readiness for 

 Beans growing in frames in case of cold, wet or 

 frosty nights. Where one has the convenience to 

 grow and finish the crop the first sowing should 

 be made in 7-inch pots and placed on an ash 

 bottom, ready to take inside. 



C.\RROTs. — The main crop Carrots should be 

 lifted and stored in sand; if left in the ground too 

 long they are liable to split, especially during wet 

 weather. Do not place too many together or they 

 may heat, and thus spoil. The stump-rooted 

 varieties nuiy be left in the ground and ])ulled a? 

 required. 



Onions. — liift and dry as soon as ripe. Where 

 they have made a thick green neck and show no 

 signs of ripening they are better partially lifted 

 to stop root action, and thus cause them to finish 

 more quickly. String the spring sown variety on 

 wet days. Place the large liulbs of Ailsa Craig 

 &c., on the storehouse shelves on a layer of wood 

 wool; handle most carefully at all times. Run 

 the hoe through the Tripoli l)eds and kec]) free 

 from weeds. Dust over with lin^e occasionally to 

 keep the worms away. *' 



Parsley. — Beds of Parsley sown in the spring 

 will l)e greatly benefited by cutting off the outer 

 leaves, thus causing fresli growth to spring and 

 stand the winter much ))etter. Thin later sowings 

 and keep well hoed. 



MusHROO.MS. — Continue to collect iresh drop- 

 pings for Mushroom Ijeds. Turn every few days 

 and get into good condition, rather on the dry 

 side. Make the beds very firm and keep the house 



well damped. Use a reliable spawn, also freshly 

 cut fine loam for surfacing. 



Winter Greens. — Keep all dead and decaying 

 leaves i^icked off from all growing green crops, 

 and support any that are growing extra strong. 

 During the past few weeks the plants are growing 

 too strong and will want careful watching through- 

 out the season. 



Lettuce. — Where one has a number of cloches 

 to spare now is the time to plant a crop of Lettuce 

 to mature under them. Plant up any vacant 

 frames with All the Year Round. 



Endive. — Continue to lift and blanch sufficient 

 Batavian Endive for requirements. 



ToM.ATOES. — Any fruit remaining outside will be 

 better cut off and hung on the wires of a vinery 

 that is resting. Chutney should be made in 

 quantity, where it is esteemed, with green fruit. 



Flower G.\rden and Pleasure Ground. 



Sweet Violets. — Prepare the frames and pits as 

 soon as possible for Violets. Choose an aspect facing 

 soutli it possible, and us3 a lich compost. Lift the 

 pl;ints iioni their summer quarters with as big a 

 l)ail of loots as possible, and plant about six inc-lies 

 from the glass. Plant fairly close together; give 

 a thorough soaking and keep the lights closed 

 for a few days, till they start re-rooting. Shade if 

 the sun is at all strong and protect the glass from 

 fiost. 



N.iTunALisiNG Bulbs. — Any open spaces selected 

 for planting bulbs, &c., should have the grass 

 mown. Have a good heap of loam sand and leaf 

 soil prepared for the reception of the bulbs, especi- 

 ally in poor soil or whei'e choice varieties are used. 

 Avoid all stiff lines and thick masses. Try and 

 obtain a natural effect, and plant good, bold sized 

 groups; plant as deeply as possible, which will 

 help to protect them from mice, &c. Snowdrops 

 should be planted under trees and in good masses. 

 Crocuses look well on sunny banks. 



Summer Bedding. — Keep the display as bright 

 as possible .by constantly removing all dead 

 flowers and foliage. See that plenty of stock is 

 rooted for next season. Any standard or specimen 

 plants that require to be saved for another year 

 should be lifted before the first touch of frost. 



Spring Bedding. — See that all spring bedding 

 plants are in the best of health and condition for 

 removing to their winter ciuarters. Wlien the 

 summer display is over have all bulbs in readiness 

 that the work may be performed ciuickly. 



Dahlias. — Have protection at hand in case of 

 frost, and endeavour to keep the display going as 

 long as possible. 



Herbaceous Boroers. — Where new borders are 

 contemplated have them well trenched and 

 manured as soon as they can be conveniently 

 arranged, and planted at the first op])ortunity. 



Rambler Roses. — As soon as the Rambling Roses 

 have finished flowering cut away ail wood that is 

 not required, and cnn-fully train in the shoots for 

 next sea.^on's flowering. 



The Hardy Fruit Garden. 



Strawberries. — Complete the planting of this 

 season's nnuiers as soon as possible. Choo.se a dry 

 day and mark off the plantation into squares, 

 stretching the line l)oth ways; this will be found 

 quicker and more accurate than trusting to the 

 single line. Where possible, protect the autumn 

 fruiting varieties by either spare lights or cloches. 



Peaches .\nd Nectarines. — As soon as the crops 



