112 



IRISH GARDENING 



J L' L Y 



aidiiij^ the giowlli during this aiul next moiiili, the soil 

 each side of the rows for the distance of two feet any 

 way should be covered or, to use the proper teiiii, 

 mulched with loiijf niaiuire, jjrass clippiiiifs, or some 

 similar material, so that the roots may at all times 

 find a moist rootint^ medium. Nothini^ is so likely to 

 briiijf about an attack of mildew, that deadly em-my of 

 the pea, as want of sutlicient moisture. 



Lettick. — Two or three sowings may be made 

 iluring this month, the last one towards the end. The 

 earlier ones niay be managed so that one thinning of 

 the plants will leave those to remain at their proper 

 ilistancc. How many readers give a standard variet}-, 

 like All ilie Year Round, one foot apart? Just try it. 

 Large, crisp and tender the heads will be, and in every 

 wa\' superior to those grown at a less distance or 

 transplanted. Seeds being so cheap, it is simply waste 

 of lime to transplant lettuces during summer. But for 

 autumn and winter, the weather conditions being so 

 much cooler, it is quite another matter. Those from the 

 last sowing should be got into their final quarters as 

 soon as they can be comfortably handled. Let care be 

 taken, too, that the late plantations are made where 

 shelter is to be had or can be readily provided. 



P.\RSNMPS AND Carrots. — After thinning, a few top- 

 dressings — very light ones — of nitrate of soda will 

 prove very beneficial to these. When the soil is in a 

 moist state is the time to give it. The surface must, of 

 course, be kept quite clear of weeds, but, at the same 

 time, the hoe should be used very lightly. It is all very 

 well to thrust it down when at work amongst such 

 crops as cauliflowers, cabbage, &c., but does not 

 answer so well amongst the taprooted subjects. 



Cabbages.— Dearly as most people love a good dish 

 of spring cabbages, many let the right time for sowing 

 seeds slip by during the busy and hot month of July. 

 From some dale during the second week of this month 

 until the end, and according to the district, seeds of the 

 favoured kinds should be sown. This must be done 

 rather thinl)', so that the plants grow sturdily, for 

 weaklings are certain to fail either through frost or wet, 

 especially in stiff soils. Flower of Spring, Early Offen- 

 ham, Sutton's .April, and Harbinger are all grand 

 varieties for present sowing, the latter being the quick- 

 est to mature. 



Tomatoes. — The fair writer of the fruit garden 

 column may properly claim that these are fruity and so 

 indeed they are ; but as the great ones also recognise 

 them as vegetables, it is hoped that our friendly rela- 

 tions may not be strained by the appearance of a few 

 remarks on their culture in this portion of Irish Gar- 

 hening. Whether in the open or under glass let them 

 be restricted to a single stem. Abundance of air under 

 the latter conditions is an absolute necessity ; any 

 neglect of this detail is certain to bring about an attack 

 of one of the many diseases from which they are liable 

 to suffer. Plants that are growing freely but have not 

 set fruit require only plain water ; but after the first and 

 second trusses have set, feeding in moderation will be 

 the proper course to pursue. Amateurs and others who 

 grow a few in pots must see that plenty of water is 

 given, for these soft plants suffer severely when allowed 

 to get too dry. 



CiKiii-.N CRki's. — ,\t every favourable opportunity, as 

 ground becomes vacant, broccoli, Brussels sprouts for 

 late work, cauliflowers, cabbages, anil ciniy kale, let 

 these be placed in final quarters. .Ml of them, with the 

 exception of cabbages and cauliflowers, will be bene- 

 fiteil if planted in groiuid that is firm rather than other- 

 wise. A slow, sturdx' griiwlh, such as is made luuler 

 this condition, is nmre likely to withstand the hardship 

 of winter, and therefore some tiiouglit might profitably 

 hi- given to this little detail. 



Celery. — For late use the red varieties may still be 

 planted and well attended in the way of water-giving 

 and shading too for a while until established. This 

 crop, above all others, should never be checked in 

 growth. Continue to water and feeil earlier plantations. 

 Soil may be drawn ov pl.tieil by the li.ind against the 

 forward rows. Lime or sool, or i)Olli, lo be used plen- 

 tifull\- with that portion of the soil intended for moulding 

 purposes. 



Bog and Water Plants. 



Till'", rain which fell on Thursday nigiit, t5th June, 

 was welcomed by all gardeners. Thirty days 

 and no rain was a serious matter for gardens. 

 Two classes of plants, however, enjoyed it thoroughly, 

 and revelled in the heat and sunshine, these being the 

 bog plants and water plants. The water lilies gave 

 proof of this bj- opening considerably earlier than usual. 

 Among the best and brightest of these may be men- 

 tioned Nymphcea Marliacea carnea, a very lovely shade 

 of pale pink ; N. M. albida, a pure white with golden 

 centre ; and N. M. chromatella, a soft pale yellow. 

 These three are strong growers and free flowerers, but 

 should only be planted where they can have plenty of 

 room. Another good white is N. Gladstoniana, a large, 

 well-shaped, strong, pure-white flower, one of the best. 

 N. colossea ma}- also be classed as one of the gooil 

 whites. Among the reds we have N. atro purpurea, 

 the deepest red, with a beautiful j'ellow centre and dark 

 foliage. Lucida is another red, with lighter outer 

 petals and smaller flowers than the former. Among the 

 bog plants a variety of Iris spuria, with lilac flowers 

 and pale-yellow markings, has been very good. I. 

 sibirica, blue and white varieties, were remarkably 

 fine. I. laevigata, formerly known as I. Kwmpferi, the 

 "Japanese Flag," promises a fine show in all colours 

 through lilac purple and white. Where space has not 

 to be seriously considered, Senecio japonicus makes a 

 fine show, with its handsome divided foliage and large, 

 bright-orange yellow flowers ; but it is a coarse grower, 

 and care should be taken that it does not smother 

 smaller and more delicate plants. There is also S. 

 Smithii, described in the Botanical Magazine as "this 

 noble Senecio," another strong grower, with broad 

 leaves and trusses of big, white, daisy-like flowers. In 

 opposition to these tall bog plants may be mentioned 

 one of the dwarf moisture-loving plants — Na^rembergia 

 rivularis, the "Trailing Cup Flower," from the Argen- 

 tine, a beautiful little plant when covered with its pure- 

 white, cup-like fragrant flowers. It creeps about 

 through the damp earth and under the wet stones, 

 forming a green carpet. We owe its introduction lo 

 cultivation to Messrs. Veitch and Sons, of Chelsea. 



R. M. Pollock 



