IRISH GARDENING. 



47 



the t'ollo\viuj4" plan, which I huvo now iuluplcd lor 

 some years : — I'rocure a h^ad of sods from au old 

 l)astiu"e. cut thi'ce inches thick. Cut eacli sod 

 into :?-incli squares, tliis can be done easily and 

 ([uickly by using the edging knife. Cut a hole 

 in the centre of each S(|uan> with an old knife, 

 taking care not to cut through tlie grassy side. 

 When sulticient sods art» ready sliake out the 

 cuttings from the box, place one plant in each 

 square, fill up the hole with a little of the soil 

 from tlie cutting l)ox, and jm'css tirndy witli the 

 fingers. They can then be packed into the boxes 

 or stood close together on a bench in the green- 

 house that has been (covered with coal ashes. 

 Spread a little fine soil or leaf-mould over the 

 sods before giving a- good watering. In a couple 

 of weeks' time the roots will have taken a firm 

 grip of the sod. They can then be moved abovit 

 without the least fear of injviry. Sweep and roll 

 lawns, cut grass edges and give a general tidy up. 

 Koses will now require attention. Cut away the; 

 old wood of pillar Roses and carefully tie in the 

 young growtli. Hybrid Teas and Hybi'id Per- 

 petvials will require cutting hard back ; weak 

 growths should be pruned back to one or two eyes, 

 four to six eyes can be left on stronger growths. 

 When all prunings are cleared away give the beds 

 or borders a dressing of artificial manure or a good 

 dusting with soot and fcn-k lightly over. Sow 

 seeds of Asters and other half-hardy annuals, and 

 place in gentle heat. Prick off Stocks and 

 Antirrhinums into frames or boxes as they 

 become stong enough to handle. 



Midland and Northern Counties. 



By E. RuTHERFOUD, Gardener to C. W. Duiihar 

 BuUer, Esq., D.L., Wobiu-n, Donaghadee. 



The Kitchen Garden. 



Artichokes (Jerusalem) may now be planted. 

 Use whole sets if possible, or cut sets with about 

 three eyes in each. Choose a strong deep soil ; 

 give plenty of room. During summer they are 

 most usefid in hiding an unsightly corner of 

 fence. 



Peas. — Sow some of the tall growing marrows 

 in succession and, allow plenty of room between 

 the rows ; the ground between can be cropped. 

 The sowing made in heat in January can be 

 planted out in prepared trenches, protecting them 

 by a few closely placed spruce or fir branches. 



Oxioxs can be sown as soon as the ground is 

 in good order, the beds having been well manvired 

 and deeply dug during the winter. Fork the 

 ground over. All lumps sliould hv broken and 

 the surface made fine ; it should be well trodden 

 over to nrake firm. If wood ashes or soot can be 

 had scatter it over the bed and rake over. Sow 

 the seed in shallow drills 14 inches apai't, and 

 cover lightly and rake over to give a neat appear- 

 ance. 



Seakale. — Plantations may now be made of 

 the thongs previously prepared ; they should be 

 planted on strong rich ground, deeply dug and 

 manured, and fully exposed to the sun ; plant in 

 rows 2 feet apart and the roots 14 inches apart 

 in the row; set the roots with a dibber and cover 

 lightly. lor forcing in the open the thongs 

 should be planted in clumps of 5 or G to permit 



of ccnering as many crowns as ijossible with 

 Seakale pots or boxes. Sufficient space should be 

 allowed between the clumps for the fermenting 

 material. 



Turnips. — 3Iake a sowing towards the end of 

 tlie month of White Milan in rows 14 inches apart. 

 Thinning should be commenced as soon as the 

 rough leaves appear. 



Rhubarb. — Plantations may now be made, the 

 soil should be trenched or deeply dug, and apply 

 a heavy dressing of farmyard manure. ^Nlake 

 the rows 5 feet apart, and i)lant the roots 4 feet 

 apart in the rows, and afterwards apply a miUch 

 of long manure. 



RADISHES. — A sowing may now be made on a 

 warm border. Sou tlie seed thinly and protect 

 from birds. 



Leeks shovdd be now sown on rich ground, 

 well prepared and moderately thick, as they 

 must be transplanted into their permanent 

 quarters. 



Celery. — I^or the earliest supply, a sowing 

 may now be made on a mild hot-bed or in boxes 

 in a warm house, using a rich, fine soil and cover 

 lightly. As soon as the plants are fit to handle, 

 prick them out three inches apart into frames on 

 a half spent hotbed, and keep close for ., a few 

 days and keep moist. Afterwards give ventila- 

 tion in fine weather. Celery should never be 

 dry at the roots at any stage of its growth. 



Brassica. — About the middle of the month 

 the following sorts may be sown on a warm 

 border : — Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts 

 and Broccoli for autumn use. Protect the seeds 

 from birds, and, as soon as the seedlings appear, 

 dust with lime or soot. 



Cauliflowers. — Towards the end of month, 

 transplant some of the strongest plants out of 

 frames into I'ich ground. It will be necessary to 

 choose a sheltered situation for this crop. 



Remarks. — Owing to the month of February 

 being so wet, work will be very much in arrears in 

 the kitchen gardens. Make good all arrears, 

 especially in the preparation of seed beds- If the 

 ground is wet, it is better to wait to tbe end of 

 the month before sowing seed than to sow on 

 pasty ground. 



The Flower Garden. 



Bedding Plants. — Pelargoniums may now be 

 propagated, they will root readily in pots, using 

 a light sandy mixture with a layer of rough loam 

 at the bottom for the roots to take hold. Xo 

 time should now be lost in rooting batches of 

 Heliotrope, Petunia, Lobelia, i:c., in bi'isk 

 bottom heat. 



Gladioli may be planted towards the end of 

 the month. Choose a sheltered but not shaded 

 I^osition. A friable loam with a cool rich subsoil 

 is best, the ground having been deeply dug 

 and manured during the winter. Give the 

 ground a light forking but not deep enough to 

 bring up the manui-e and make the surface level. 



Open narrow^ trenches about 20 inches apart 

 and G inches deep, put some sand for the bulbs 

 to sit on, and to allow the roots to work into at 

 the start. Cover with about 5 inches of soil for 

 large bulbs, but for small ones 2 inches are enough. 



Evergreen Shrubs can now be pruned and 

 reduced in size. Saw out a few of the old ex- 



