112 



IRISH GARDENING 



>Liiiplv furkiim up thr s.iil iK'twrni the n.us ..I 

 (.1.1 plants, ami sccuiin^ I 1m- luuiu-i's in the sj.a.-.-s 

 so tioaU'cl. NothiiiK is lu-Uer l»)r sc.uimn^ llu- 

 luiiiifis in ])<)siti(>n than a k^kxI si/rd itchhlc or 

 l.iccc of stone, tlu-so havi- tlu> ciTcit ol" keeping 

 llu' soil uiulcincath thoni c-ool and moist, thus 

 r.-mloiinj; continual wateiinj? unncri'ssaiy, and 

 rmomajiinir .piiik root action in hot dry weather. 

 11' the site for the new hed was ticnched la>t 

 wint.-r. and has heV-n cropped with yrlx 

 potatoi's, httle further i)reparation will I.e 

 re(|uired. except to rake the jiionnd level, and to 

 draw lines 2 feel apart, in which the youiii;- plants 

 can be planted at from IS inches to 2 feet apart, 

 according to the variety. Such as Koyal 

 Sovereign and Bedford Champion will rejjuire 

 the latter distance, while the former will be 

 space enough to leave between (Uvon's Late 

 Proline, Waterloo, and those of like habit of 



'^ Raspberries should 1>' gathered at frequent 

 intervals when ripe, so as to get the whole crop 

 in good condition. No fruit deteriorates so 

 (luii^klv if not i)icked as soon as ripe. If dry 

 weather prevails the crop will be greatly improved 

 bv copious waterings after each picking. The 

 fruit being very soft should be perfectly dry when 



^'gathering Fiutt.— Towards the end of the 

 month apricots and peaches will be approaching 

 rijieness, and the trees should be gone over 

 dailv, so as to secure them in perfect condition. 

 These fruits shovild be picked a day or two before 

 they would otherwise drop from the trees. At 

 this time, if the hand is placed vmderneath the 

 fruit, and the latter gently raised, it will, if At, 

 readily part from the stalk, after which a day or 

 two in a cool fruit room will make it perfect for 

 home consumption, but if required for sending 

 a distance, the picking should be done in the cool 

 of the morning if dry, and the fruit should be 

 packed and despatched immediately. 



General Remarks.— All trees carrying good 

 crops of fruit will well repay the extra trouble of 

 watering and mulching during dry Aveather, 

 especiallv so in the case of trees growing on walls. 

 Weak liquid manure water at frequent intervals, 

 or a dressing of a good compound fruit manure 

 well watered in, will materially assist the trees, 

 and will improve the size and flavour of the 

 fruit. In all cases where watering is not possible, 

 the ground should be hoed often during dry 

 weather. And the surface soil well pulverised. 

 If woollv aphis is troublesome, no tun.- shouh 

 be lost in dealing with it. A httle methylated 

 spirit worked into all the crevices in the bark 

 frequented by the insects with a stiff brush will 

 be found to be an effectual method of killing 

 them. Continue to net wall fruit trees as the 

 fruit ripens, and take ofi' and store strawberry 

 nets when perfectly dry, after the fruit is finished. 



The Vegetable Garden, 



By J. B. row. Gardener to Lord Dunsany, 

 Dunsany Castle, Co. .Meath. 



Broccoli.— Late spring and sunuiier broccoli 

 mav still be transplanted. Should the weather 

 be dry, draw drills about three inches, and at a 

 distance of not less than two feet apart ; water 

 the driUs before planting, and no further watering 

 Will be required. During the past showery 



weather slugs h.i\.' been rather t roublesoiiH- to 

 iiiassieas when 1 lansplant e.l to their permanent 

 .|uailrrs. Hv giving the stems and roots a di|) 

 in 111.' lullowing mixture helps to ward oil slugs 

 and also lu'lps to eradicate the gall weevil. Take 

 eciual parts of air-.slaked lime and soot with 

 enough water to mak.^ a thin paste. Should the 

 plants 1).^ infested with cabbage lly maggots, 

 Ihe following remedy will be found beiiedcial : — 

 Hot lime soak«'d in 'water for about twenty-four 

 lu.urs : wlu-n clear, wash tiie infested j.lants 

 with the li(iui.l. 



I'KKS. \11 pea< shoul.l be soWll by tills dale. 

 Water aiul inulrli all mid-season and late sown 

 varieties. Keep a sharp look out for insect 

 i)ests, and sprav with a suitable insecticide 

 should the crol> 'b<! attacked. I'ea weevil mav 



be prevented from doing serious damage by 

 using some (piick acting stimulanl and dusting 

 the plants with lime when the foliage is w^et. 



Tomatoes. — During this month outside toma- 

 toes will require attention. Keep the plants free 

 from side shoots, and when the fourth cluster of 

 fruit appears pinch out the top of the plant. In 

 drv weather water should be plentifully given if 

 the plants appear to require it. A niulching of 

 loose leafy manure will, if applied, be of great 

 advantage, and will prevent rapid evaporation. 

 :M id-season and late tomatoes under glass are 

 now showing a great crop of fruit. If planted 

 on a border a dressing of artificial manure at the 

 rate of one ounce to the square yard will induce 

 the fruit to nature more quickly. A top dressing 

 of decayed manure may be given. If grown in 

 pots or where the space is limited the plants will 

 now require an ample supply of water and a 

 dressing of artificial manure or diluted liquid 

 manure at intervals, according to stimulant 



used. , . 1 



C^elery.— Plant late celery in prepared 

 trenches; give plenty of water during dry 

 weather, and keep the plants free from suckers. 

 In gardens where the soil is of a damp nature, 

 do not earth up above ground level till 1 u- 

 plants are strong. Should celery leaf bhght 

 attack the plants, spray with Bordeaux mix- 

 ture two or three times during the season. 



C\BB\GE. — Make a sowing of cabbage about 

 the 'last week of this month. Flower of Spring 

 and Ellam's Early are two good varieties tor 

 autumn planting. Make a further planting of 

 cabbage for late autumn and winter use. 1 lant 

 late Savoy ; New Year and Latest of All wiU last 

 well into the spring. 



TruxiPS Sow a good breadth of turnips; 



sow thinly; thin in the early seedling stage; 

 dust with soot or lime frequently to check 



^''lSeks?— Plant out the main crop of leeks 

 early this month at a distance advised m last 

 month's notes. . „ i ■ ^r 



French Beans.— Make the final sowing of 

 French beans early this month on a border 

 sheltered from the early morning sun, or where 

 thev can be protected from the early aiitumn 

 frost. A sowing may be made m a frame during 

 the last week in July. . 



Parsley.— Any time during 1.he month a 

 sowing of parsley should be made m a frame for 

 winter supply A sowing should also be made 

 on a well sheltered border, where it can be pro- 

 tected during the winter. ^ , , . 



sS^Dl-Continue to sow batches of lettuce, 

 endive, corn salad, mustard, and cress. 



