i6o 



IRISH GARDENING 



surface of the soil. In filling in again the same 

 soil may be used, unless it is of a heavy retentive 

 nature, when it would be better to include a little 

 lime rubble and half-inch bones. It is very 

 important to see that the roots are nicely spread 

 out and equalised as the filling in of the soil goes 

 on. 



The Vegetable Garden 



By J. G. Toner, County Instructor in 

 Horticulture, Co. Monaghan. 



Beet. — This is a root that is very easily damaged 

 by frost, particularly when the ground is in a wet 

 state. It is also very susceptible to being injured 

 by rough methods in lifting. Therefore the roots 

 must be dug up, not pulled, and a fork is much 

 preferable to a spade for the operation. The 

 opening is best made well out from the drill, and 

 the tool driven very deeply down veil under 

 before the attempt to raise is made. A cool 

 building in which they will be safe from frost is 

 the best storage, and fine clay, ashes or sand used 

 Eo pa eking between them. The leaves may be 

 cut off two inches or so above the tops. In some 

 places it has been found that rats and mice prove 

 troublesome : in such cases strong wooden cases 

 will afford more security. 



MOULDING Celery. — All work of this nature 

 is usually finished up before the end of the month. 

 Owing to the dewy mornings and evenings only 

 the middle portion of the day should be availed 

 of. as there would be a great tendency to heart- 

 rotting if they are finally closed in while wet. 

 A liberal use of soot will to a large extent keep 

 slugs away. 



Seakale. — This very choice spring vegetable 

 should lind a place in every garden however small. 

 Even a score of roots well looked after will 

 produce a number of very dainty dishes at an 

 exceedingly scarce t ime. and seakale is permanent, 

 a very material point. Seeing that it is suffered 

 to remain in the same position for years a little 

 more pains may properly be taken in t be prepara- 

 tion of the site, a matter which claims attention 

 just now. Old cow manure is most suitable. 

 and a very Liberal applical ion will lay t be founda- 

 tions of a luxuriant crop if honestly worked into 

 the two spits deep t bat vegetable so well deserves. 

 Never mind about the planting for the present, 

 but have Ibis little preliminary work on the 

 finished list. 



Tomatoes. — If green fruit be still hanging on 



outdoor plants lei t he trusses be cut off and hung 



in a warm place where the fruit will colour and 

 ripen ; it will, however, be much inferior to thai 

 which has reached maturity under natural 

 conditions. 



Cabbage. — In vacant plots cabbage may still 

 be planted, and another item and a very useful 

 one is, that to provide a succession in spring before 

 peas or cauliflowers arrive a number of plants may 



now be dibbled out on a raised ridge to gain 

 strength. Where a few inches are allowed 



bet ween the in it will facilital e the work of removal 

 next spring, for "the careful band of the 

 gardener" will ensure that each retains a ball 

 of soil, consequently little of t he check of removal 

 will be felt. This detail in dealing with plants 

 of any kind, is one that the novice would do well 

 to pay strict attention to. with the most beneficial 



results to the plants of whatever kind fchey may 

 be. 



Leeks. — Only a small percentage of gardeners 

 give this useful vegetable fair treatment in the 

 matter of blanching. It might become a bi- 

 monthly task. Leeks continue to grow during 

 the winter, and the constant moulding up of the 

 stems ensures a large amount of white stem, the 

 valuable portion. Therefore see that soil is being 

 constantly hoed or shovelled up to both sides of 

 the lines ; good tender leeks will not be despised 

 in spring except perhaps by those who have only 

 t he tough green specimens, all leaf and little stem 



Forcing Rhubarb. — On account of their 

 scarcity, apples will command a high price during 

 the season. Therefore a few sticks of early 

 rhubarb will be very welcome. These, however, 

 will not come along merely for the wishing. When 

 the leaves have died away in the natural course, 

 some stools may be lifted and exposed to the 

 weather, rain, frost or snow, and afterwards these 

 will be in the proper condition to answer the ques- 

 tion put them by way of artificial heat, whether 

 it be derived from hot manure, warm pipes, or 

 otherwise. The main thing at present is to have 

 them prepared for the ordeal. It will prove 

 most economical as well as satisfactory, for when 

 passing judgment on your own forced, rhubarb 

 you are convinced that it is much sourer or 

 sweeter, as you will, than that procured else- 

 where. 



Review 



Mushroom Culture.* 



The cultivation of mushrooms is only successful 

 when fairly good crops are obtained. Mr. Dykes 

 has had twenty-five years practical experience, 

 and sets out clearly in this little handbook some 

 essential details winch must be known so as to 

 achieve success. 



In the first chapter the author deals with the 

 commercial side, and shows that one cannot 

 expect to make a fortune by growing mushrooms, 

 but that there is money to be made by their 

 culture. Mushrooms may be grown in sheds, 

 under glass, in caves and tunnels, or in the open, 

 and after reading the life history one gets a 

 clearer idea of the conditions required by mush- 

 rooms. The treatment of the manure is mosl 

 important, and the types of beds and how to make 

 t hem is explained. 



There are two recognised times of the year for 

 making mushroom beds of the ridge type in the 

 open. One in September or October, to come 

 into bearing from January to March, and the other 

 in December or January to bear from March 

 onwards. For summer bearing, beds of the flat 

 types are to be recommended. 



Ridge beds made up in October I d the 



maximum amount of covering of litter or straw. 

 IS inches to 'J. I'eef of litter. wi'l be needed in mid- 

 winter, but it should be put on gradually as the 



weat her gets colder. 



Spawning and soiling the beds is dealt with 

 and emphasis is rightly laid upon getting the 

 very best spawn procurable. 



We can thoroughly recommend this hand- 

 book to those who wish to grow mushrooms. 

 • 'Mushroom Culture." By W.Doyle, Fli.li.s. Pricels.net- 



'(lie l.oekwooil I'le.ss, 1 Mil I e Court, I' lot street I (loll. 



