128 



IRISH GARDENING 



constant attention must be given those fruits 

 from now onwards. Very often they are shaded 

 by foliage, and consequently do not receive the 

 requisite amount of light, air and sunshine. It 

 is not good policy to pick off too many leaves in 

 order to expose the fruit, rather tie them back 

 loosely with a piece of raffia. The leaves are 

 required to assist in the development of the buds 

 for the following year. Trees that are growing 

 on a wall facing south must not be allowed to 

 suffer for want of water. In this position the 

 roots dry up quickly and the fruits will not swell 

 as they ought to do. Heavy crops on bush trees 

 must be kept well supplied with water and feed- 

 ing. On apples, pears and plums continue to 

 pinch out the points of all laterals and sub- 

 laterals as soon as they make a few leaves ; also 

 the vigorous-growing leaders a week later. Cul 

 out the old canes of raspberries when the picking 

 of the fruit has ceased, and encourage the young 

 growths as much as possible by giving frequent 

 applications of farmyard liquid manure. Straw- 

 berries will need immediate attention whenever 

 the nets are removed. If intended to remain 

 for another year's crop, commence by cutting 

 away all runners, pulling up weeds, and removing 

 dead and decaying leaves. The old mulching 

 should be cleaned up and taken away, afterwards 

 breaking up the surface soil between the rows 

 with a Dutch hoe. 



The Vegetable Garden. 



By J. G. TONER, County Instructor in Horti- 

 culture. Co. Monaghan. 



Tripoli Onions.— Owing to the uncertainty of 

 the weather a second sowing of Tripoli onion 

 might be made early in this month. The last week 

 or so of .Inly and up to the middle of Augusl is 

 the period wherein the two sowings should lie 

 made. In the event of a severe winter the 

 earlier plants will usually come through quite 

 safely^ while the younger lot fails. But, on the 

 ot tier hand, a mild soft winter will oft en cause the 



strong early plants to " boll " thai is, throw up 

 flower stems. It is here that the late batch comes 

 to the rescue and gives a good crop. Ground 

 fairly firm, but not very rich, is what thej like. 

 Tlie seeds may he sown broadcast or in rows, and 

 covered aboul half an inch deep. 



Brussels Sprouts. -The firs! crop for nexl 

 year is ensured by sowing seeds of these during 

 the month. Usually the middle weeks are 

 selected. They a re hugely benefited by being 



pricked out at a good distance apart say six 



inches so thai stoul growth will be made ami 

 safety afforded from heavj frosts. 



Cauliflowers. -From the middle to the end 



of the month such kinds as Early London should 

 be sown. Heads will he formed probablv during 



t he iiimii h of .1 uly next year. Pro! eel ion of some 

 kind is generally afforded during winter, for a 

 smart frosl will completely cripple them. 

 Generous treatment, such as is necessary when 

 they are finally planted oul in spring, will not 

 suit now: ordinary soil without anj enrichmenl 

 will do righj enough. 



Celery. Rows thai were strong, healthy s .and 

 growing vigorously and freely are often spoilt bj 

 careless moulding. Jt should, of course, be done 

 by degrees. /Four inches or so of soil is quite 



enough to use at any one operation, but before- 

 hand care should be taken to break it as line as 

 possible, and if soot be handy to dust some over 

 it. The side shoots, if there are any, are removed 

 entirely, then the leaf-stalks worked gently into 

 their proper places and arranged in such a manner 

 that they completely surround and protect the 

 heart of the plant. When only one person is 

 engaged at the job light ties ought to be put on. 

 so that the stalks will be held in position while 

 t he moulding is being done. Whether t here is any 

 suspicion of dryness <>r not, water in very liberal 

 quantity should be given a day beforehand, 

 followed by liquid manure or a top-dressing of 

 artificials. Of the latter superphosphate four 

 parts and nitrate of soda one part will have a 

 good effect. Use a small handful to the yard of 

 row. giving it equally on either side. These 

 must not be mixed until they are about to be 

 used. 



Lettuce. — Sow seeds of All-the- Year- Round 

 cabbage lettuce, and also some of the White Cos 

 to make assurance doubly sure. Inexperienced 

 gardeners do not always recognise the necessity 

 of looking so far ahead as next spring and early 

 summer, simply because there is plenty of 

 vegetables to hand just now. There, however, 

 are scarce times, and provision for them must be 

 made. Lettuce seeds germinate very quickly 

 and surely, therefore take care to sow quite 

 thinly. 



Turnips. — These may be sown again, and the 

 varieties mentioned last month are sure to please. 

 Earlier crops will require thinning, and in respect 

 to winter especially it should be promptly done. 



Tomatoes. — When they have set a fair crop 

 they will stand a very liberal course of feeding. 

 Outside plants that have set three trusses of fruit 

 may be " stopped " — that is, the growing points 

 of the plants removed at one joint above the last 

 truss. Side shoots must be also removed as 

 they show. This has not been an ideal season 

 for them, but, t hank goodness ! it is not so bad 

 as last year. Plants under glass require very 

 constant attention to the regulation of Hie 

 growth. The knowing ones confine their plants 

 to a single stem, and it pays them too. Plenty 

 of water must be afforded if they are in pots or 

 boxes, for they are thirsty subjects. All possible 

 ail' too is demanded : close and moist conditions 

 lead to disease and disappointment. 



Green Crops.— All kinds of green crops can 



be planted out after early potatoes, peas. iVc. 



Ground in good heart will hardly require any 

 manure. Yet hungry ground cannot be expected 

 to yield a good return : but ordinary good garden 

 ground that was well prepared for early potatoes, 

 for instance, will be in proper fettle for spring 

 cabbages, sowing onion seeds and so on. 



Sowing Cabbage Seeds. Those sown last 



month are expected and intended to give an 

 early cutting, or. better still, pulling in spring. 

 The cabbage consumed in spring, however, will 



not be available later. So- seeds are gol in during 



this mouth also, and the resulting plants put out 

 during autumn or spring, when a nice succession 

 is formed. 



Parsley. Where a small supply is in constant 



demand some strong young plants might with 

 greal advantage be potted up. They can he 



grown almost anywhere, and fill in an excellent 

 manner the place of ferns in the dwellinghouse. 



