JUNE 



IRISH GARDENING. 



95 



made available to roots mig-ht be now briefly con- 

 sidered. These means'are deep and fine tillag^e, with 

 farmyard manure, mulching-, hoeing, and watering. 

 By the law termed capillary attraction deep tillage 

 enables plants to draw a supply of water from below, 

 lessening to a great extent their dependence on rain- 

 fall. It also allows a free supply of air into a greater 

 bulk of earth, thus enabling roots — air being another 

 essential — to descend a greater distance from the dry- 

 ing surface. The finer soil is made the more is its 

 water-holding power increased. Fineness of soil also 

 allows air more evenly between the soil particles, thus 

 providing roots with a greater scope for contact with 

 air and water at the same time, which is essential to 

 growth. Mulching and hoeing, by hindering evapora- 

 tion, help to conserve moisture. In addition to this, 

 mulching feeds crops. Where tillage has been deep 

 and thorough, and when hoeing has been regular, in a 

 dry, hot spell of weather the advantages become 

 pleasantly obvious. 



Gener.\l Work. — Mulch the sides of rows ot peas 

 and broad beans with moist manure. In dry, hot 

 weather, as the pods swell, water copiously with 

 diluted manure water. This greatly aids the plants at 

 a distressing period of growth. Stake advancing peas, 

 and sow some of the earlier varieties for the latest 

 supplies. Pinch the tops of broad beans forming pods. 

 Continue to sow cos and cabbage lettuce in richly 

 manured ground where it is intended to finally grow, 

 as transplanting in hot weather increases the risk of 

 the plants bolting to seed. A weak solution of nitrate 

 of soda in watering improves and hastens lettuce. 

 Thoroughly water all crops as they require it. Expose 

 hard water to the softening influence of sunshine before 

 use. Round spinach and turnips must never become 

 dry at the roots, as this means disaster. Turnips must 

 be saved from the "fly" by some means. Watering 

 with a weak solution of nitrate hastens over the 

 dangerous seed-leaf period. Continue successional 

 sowings of round spinach, turnips, radish, mustard, 

 and cress, and make one small sowing of carrots for 

 young roots. Such strong feeders as Globe artichokes, 

 rhubarb, and seakale will benefit by liquid feedings. 

 Remove the flowers from rhubarb and seakale when 

 not wanted for seed. Beginning this month a sowing 

 of parsley should be made to stand over winter. 

 Onion beds benefit by being dressed with soot. If 

 necessary water before thinning. The thinnings are 

 sometimes transplanted for using in a green state, but 

 in dry weather require to be sufficiently watered till 

 well established. Onions may be sown for use as 

 salad. French beans can be freely sown in the be- 

 ginning of the month, and for succession to the end. 

 Every available spot, as bj' pailings, &c. , should be 

 utilised for the growth of scarlet runners. Pull pods 

 from French beans in bearing before hard, as delay in 

 pulling means so much allowed to waste, and prevents 

 the formation of others to follow. The same applies to 

 peas. Guard vegetable marrows and ridge cucumbers 

 from the gentle jaws of slugs, and effectually too. 

 Rings of wood-ashes, soot, and lime, renewed occa- 

 sionally, will generally stave these off, but rain soon 

 makes these substances lose protective potency. Use 

 tepid water on marrow and ridge cucumbers till 



started. Carrots, parsnips, beet, &c., will require to 

 be finally thinned. The cautious use of nitrate of soda 

 after thinning these crops pushes them quickly forward, 

 but where it is allowed to come in contact with the 

 leaves of the plants it burns like fire. Moderation and 

 caution in this dressing are imperative. The soil about 

 growing crops must be cultivated with hoe or fork as 

 is required. 



Cucumbers. — Cucumbers in pits or frames during 

 hot weather will require a good soaking two or three 

 times a week. Use tepid water and, when carrying a 

 crop, weak liquid manure. When the main growths 

 extend the required distances, stop and pinch all side 

 growths one leaf beyond the fruit when it is first formed. 

 Close with a good heat, and damp the leaves to pre- 

 vent the dire attack of red spider. 



Asparagus. — Slugs are partial to the 3oung growths, 

 and must be prevented from destroying them. A dress- 

 ing of nitrate of soda and, from time to time, water- 

 ings with liquid manures will assist in developing the 

 growths. Cutting the late growths from asparagus 

 has a weakening effect. If carried too far it is at the 

 expense of next season's crop. Keep the ground free 

 of weeds at all times. A mulch of quite decomposed 

 manure towards the end of month improves weak 

 plants. 



Celery.— Get main crop of celery planted so soon as 

 the plants are strong. If necessary shade the plants 

 for a few days. Use decomposed manure in the 

 trenches, as in fresh manure the plants make slow 

 progress. Early planted celery will require to be kept 

 free of weeds, the soil stirred about the plants, and 

 watered with liquid manure occasionally. 



Leeks. — When strong enough leeks should be planted 

 out in richly manured land. If the largest size is de- 

 sired grow the plants something after the manner of 

 growing celery, in well manured trenches, earthing as 

 they grow. A handy method for cottagers is to plant 

 out in well manured land, in lines one foot apart, with 

 eight or nine inches between the plants. When plant- 

 ing use a large planting stick, and let the plant down 

 to the leaves (no further) without closing the hole. 

 Watering after planting ensures growth. Leeks proved 

 a valuable crop during the past winter and spring 

 when other vegetables were comparatively scarce. 



Planting out the Cabb.\ge Family. — Important 

 work this month will be the planting out of the autumn 

 and winter supply of Brussels sprouts, broccoli, savoy, 

 &c. Success with these mostly depends on a good 

 start made in due time. If sturdy plants are lifted care- 

 fully and planted in manured soil, in the afternoon, 

 with a planting stick, and thoroughly watered, these 

 crops are usually independent of further watering. 

 Weak plants, pulled carelessly from overcrowded beds, 

 planted in the full blaze of the sun, will naturally 

 miss here and there, and become stunted, and the 

 wonder is, not that some die, but that any survive. 

 Broccoli best succeeds when the soil is firm. If the 

 land has been recently dug treading is advisable. If 

 planted after early potatoes cleaning the lands without 

 digging is best. In loosely dug land growth of the 

 leaves is over-succulent at the expense of the heart. 

 In most parts of this country frost rarely kills broccoli, 

 as in Scotland and England. Our milder climate 



