IRISH GARDENING. 



where intended to remain, or if this be not ready an old 

 shallow frame, or one made of boards can be made to 

 nurse them for a time ; erect on a hard surface, and put 

 in the bottom three inches deep of well decayed manure, 

 thoroughly broken up, and on top of this two inches of 

 soil. Plant into this about four inches apart every way. 

 Wafer. — Syringe overhead every evening, and keep 

 shaded from strong sun until rooted. When being 

 transplanted from this they will scarcely feel any check, 

 as fine balls of soil can be kept to them. They may also 

 be rooted in pots filled with soil, into which they are 

 pegged, and afterwards kept watered. This is the best 

 method of all, but when large quantities are wanted, not 

 advisable, as the labour involved is too great, besides 

 plants can be had quite as early and equally good b\- 

 the method before stated. Do not propagate from 

 barren plants ; though they produce the finest runners 

 they are worthless. 



LoG.\N Berry. —This plant sends up very strong 

 basal growths — five to eight of these are to be secured 

 to trellis — the number may vary according to space 

 available. The remaining shoots are to be cut away- 

 Assist fruit bearing plants by watering with weak 

 liquid manure. 



Apples. — Standard and bush tree should have useless 

 spray removed. A lot of this generally arises on trunk 

 and large branches, and if allowed to grow soon 

 smother up the centre of trees. These are best rubbed 

 off as they are seen to push into growth. If not done 

 then, they must now be cut clean back to their base as 

 close as possible so that they may not break into 

 growth again. 



The summer pruning of these maj* be commenced in 

 the warmer and consequently earlier districts of the 

 country about the 20th of the month. In the colder and 

 later, and particularly on cold, heavy soils, it may safely 

 be deferred till the middle of -August. The summer prun- 

 ing of trees in the open is very seldom practised, 

 although common enough amongst gardeners on wall 

 trees, also espaliers and cordons. Its benefit to bush 

 and standard trees when properly carried out is beyond 

 question. It is impossible to go into details in an 

 article of this kind as to how it is done, &c. Suffice it 

 to say, that the leading shoots should be pinched back 

 slightly, and all other shoots, which in the ordinary 

 course would be spurred in the resting period, be cut 

 back to about half their length. The object being to 

 form fruit buds at the bases of these shoots and in the 

 leading shoots to make them form spurs. If this were 

 more regularly done less long bare branches would be 

 seen in our fruit grounds. Each branch ought to be 

 fruit spurs from base to top. 



General. — Owing to dry weather experienced up to 

 date of writing the strawberry crop will not be very- 

 great, nor will the fruit be very large. If rain should 

 soon come it would greatly improve matters. Those 

 who mulched as diiected last month will reap the 

 benefit of their labour, as such plants have not suffered 

 nearly so much as those that have not been done. .Apple 

 sucker has done considerable damage in many places 

 this season, its ravages are apparent on all sides. At the 

 same time, the apple crop will be a heavy one. It is 

 said, the show of bloom has been the finest seen here 

 for forty years. Undoubtedly it was a fine sight to see 



the different orchards a perfect sheets of colour. 

 Severe thinning of the crop will have to be done in many 

 cases. Pears too have set well, better than for very 

 many years. 



The Kitchen Garden. 



By James Bracken, Horticultural Instructor, Co. Cork. 



IN soils of a shallow or of a light and porous 

 character the importance of mulching to kitchen 

 garden crops can hardly be over-estimated. In 

 fact, in such soils, in a time of drought, unless by a 

 great expenditure of time and labour in watering, with- 

 out mulching it is impossible to maintain that health- 

 iness of vigour which is necessary for good quality. 

 A half-spent hot-bed from which some early crops has 

 been taken makes an effective mulch for any vegetable 

 crop. It is short, and consequently is easily spread ; is 

 moisture holding, yet porous, and contains plant food 

 When an adequate supply of this kind of manure is not 

 at hand, which is often the case, the grass cuttings from 

 lawns can be utilised for the same purpose. Even this 

 by keeping the surface of the soil cool, and by retaining 

 moisture, greatly helps to encourage crisp vigour. 

 Lettuce, turnips, cauliflowers, cabbage, peas, beans of 

 sorts, celery, before being blended are some of the 

 summer crops that derive economical benefit by being 

 mulched during a hot, dry spell of weather. 



General Work.— During the first week of the month 

 make a last sowing of French beans in a warm aspect. 

 At the same time a last sowing of first early peas is 

 sometimes put in on the chance of getting a late gather- 

 ing, but this is uncertain. If parsley has not been sown 

 last month make a sowing at once. When potato 

 onions, shallots, garlic, and tripoli onions finish growth 

 without delay lift these crops or they may start roots 

 again when rain follows, and expose in a dry, sunny 

 place until quite dried, when they ought to be got into 

 store. Transplant thinnings from lines of lettuce to a 

 cool position facing north. These will form a succession 

 to the undisturbed plants remaining in the rows. In 

 scorching weather a supply of good lettuce is most 

 appreciated and is most difiicult to manage. The shade 

 of evergreen branches stuck in the beds is helpful to 

 to keep the heads crisp, and mulching and watering 

 must not be neglected. Early in the month get in 

 large lots of cauliflowers, and for succession again 

 later in the month. Cauliflowers may follow in the drills 

 from which early peas have been cleared. Plant out cab- 

 bage for an autumn supply and continue to get out broccoli 

 and savoy ot sorts, as well as kales and Brussel's 

 sprouts, &c., to give a continuous supply. Prepare 

 ground for sowing hardy lettuce, onion, cabbage, cauli- 

 flowers, and winter spinach next month. Make a sow 

 ing of endive and thin out the lines of earlier sowings 

 and transplant the thinnings if required. 



Celery.— In the cultivation of celery for exhibition the 

 use of paper collars is helpful. These assist in blanching 

 the plants before earthing up and delay the necessity for 

 earthing— which is an advantage, since by this the 

 plants can be fed for a longer time— and prevent earth 

 getting into the hearts, and otherwise protect the head 



