FEBRUARY 



IRISH GARDENING. 



P 



shade of or interfering witii other trees, should be cut 

 away. In cutting off a branch cut close to the trunk 

 from which it springs. Afterwards smear the wound 

 with limewash or gas tar, the latter in preference. All 

 prunings should be collected and burnt, as these harbour 

 insect pests iind their eggs. Bear in mind also when 

 pruning old trees not to use tiie saw or knife too freely 

 the first year, as such trees, not having been pruned for 

 years, resent the too-free use of the knife, and suffer. 

 It is best to allow the pruning of trees which require a 

 great deal of cutting to extend over two or three years, 

 doing a little each }ear, and then no harm will result. 



Spraying is the next important operation, and should 

 be done immediately the pruning is finished. I'he 

 caustic-alkali spray is the best for winter use, and is 

 prepared by dissolving i lb. caustic soda and i lb. crude 

 potash separately in wooden vessels, and ^4 lb. soft 

 soap in boiling water, which should be added to sufficient 

 water to make ten gallons of spraying mixture. Spraying 

 must be done on a calm day. ,ind the ordinary potato 

 sprayer should be used for the purpose. To reach tall 

 branches a bamboo connection should be used, and this 

 ma}' be obtained from an\- seedsman. In mixing tiie 

 above materials great care must be taken with the 

 caustic soda, as it is liable to injure the hands if used 

 carelessl)-. Lime is sometimes used for the purpose of 

 killing- any moss and lichen growths, and making the 

 ixirk healthy. It is much cheaper than spraying, and 

 where the grower has no objection to the white objects 

 his trees will be for a while, it will be found, when 

 properly applied, to be very effectual. The lime should 

 be fresh from the kiln, and be slaked on the ground 

 previous to applying ; it is best applied when there is a 

 dampness on the trees, so that it will stick. The lime 

 that falls tc> the ground will also prove of benefit to the 

 trees. Of the two remedies sprajing- is undoubtedh' 

 the more thorough, but where properl}- applied lime is 

 none the less effectual. 



The Vegetable Garden. 



By J. G. TOM.R. 



PREPARATORY WORK.— The constant rainfall 

 during the last few months has seriously interfered 

 with the performance of that most important part 

 of the winter's work — namely, digging- and trenching. 

 The success of many crops will depeml on how it has 

 been done and whether it has been got through in 

 good time. Therefore, let every suitable opportunity 

 be availed of to bring it up to date. It will be of much 

 advantage too if the plan of cropping is clearly defined, 

 so that special treatment may be given where it is con- 

 sidered necessar}'. Where possible, trenching should 

 be carried out, as such work will be of immense benefit 

 to the immediate as well as the succeeding crops, 

 besides permanently improving the depth and the 

 quality of the soil. 



Sowing Peas. — In'warm tlislricts, ami where gardens 

 are \ery favourably placed, a sowing may be made in 

 the open, iiut the weather of our springs for some }-ears 

 past has not seconded the efforts of the well-meaning 

 and ambitiiius gardener ; discerning birtls will be 



helped by hungry slugs in endeavouring to defeat him, 

 but his discomfiture will not be complete if he also 

 makes a sowing under glass— it matters not whether it 

 be a frame, a cool or warm greenhouse. Pieces of 

 board four or five inches wide can be made into handy 

 troughs b}- tacking- on light slips about three inches 

 deep to either side ; it will be found advantageous how- 

 ever to dri\e the nails only half way in, on one side at 

 any rate. These may then be half filled with good 

 soil, the peas evenl\' placed and covered level with the 

 sides. In the event of their being raised where arti- 

 ficial heat is used, the hardening off must be well 

 attended to before they are transferred to the open. 

 When this is being done the slip on one side is removed 

 by drawing- the nails, and the plants are gently deposited 

 in the trench tilread}- prepared for their reception, with 

 roots and soil undisturbed. Such protection as dead 

 branches of larch or spruce will afforil will be very 

 welcome, giving a most efficient shelter from cutting- 

 winds and likewise frosts. 



CailikL(.iwi:rs. — The cause, very often, of autunni- 

 sown plants, " buttoning," as it is termed, can be 

 traced riither to mismanagement in the frames than 

 to errors of judgment as to time of sowing-. Therefore, 

 let them not be coddled, they really only require pro- 

 tection from rather severe frosts. In the open they 

 would do right well all winter if we only knew exactly 

 when to cover them. Every possible occasion should be 

 made use of to remove the lights altogether, to prevent 

 damping and to render them as hardy as possible before 

 being moved to the open ground. Plants that have 

 been too tenderly cared rarely get to work outside 

 without receiving a severe check, and it is this that 

 causes the "buttoning" or the formation of premature 

 and quite worthless little flowers. It will be good 

 business from the successional point of view to make 

 a sowing presently — under glass of course — of some 

 good forcing kind. There are special varieties for 

 this purpose that mature very early, and although the 

 heads are small they are quite delicious in fiavour— one 

 cannot have everything. 



CfCUMBERS. — Not in every garden can the culture of 

 cucumbers be undertaken with a prospect of success at 

 an early date. A few plants, however, will give a 

 welcome supply if there is plenty of heat at command, 

 something like 65 degrees, rising to 85 degrees by sun 

 heat, will be required. In pots, boxes, or beds they can 

 be easily managed under this condition. A proper 

 mixture would be two parts good loam to one of 

 thoroughly decomposed manure. Let three-inch pots, 

 well drained, be lightly filled with this and a single seed 

 placed in each, no water being applied until after 

 germination has taken place. Planting can be done 

 when they have made the second pair of proper leaves. 

 They revel in a moist atmosphere, provided the heat is 

 right, and in most cases they can be managed in a 

 most economical manner in a plant or stove house where 

 the required temperature is maintained. 



PAKSNiPS.-The orthodox time of committing seeds 

 of these to the cold, cold ground is about the middle of 

 lliis month. Those, however, who pin their faith to a 

 certain date or limited period, who do not, as it were, 



