i6o 



IRISH GARDENING 



If the ground has bet-ri dug recently it .sh<ndd hi- 

 made firm before tlie infants are put in. I'lant 

 in rows 18 inches apart and 15 inches Ijetween 

 the plants in the row. If slugs are troublesome 

 the ground may receive a good dressing of lime 

 or soot. 



Lettiu'E sown early in September should 

 be ready for planting in some sheltered situation 

 to remain during the winter. Well prepared 

 ground on a south border shoidd be chosen for 

 them, and a distance of 12 inclies each way 

 should be allowed the plants. If any cold frames 

 are available they should l)e filled with Lettuces 

 from the open border. They should be taken 

 up with a good ball of soil attached to the roots 

 and well watered after planting. Lettuces treated 

 in this manner will be less likely to suffer from 

 damping than if left in the open until they are 

 fully developed. 



The Flower Garden. 



Begonia. — Lift the tubers of Begonias before 

 frost damages them. Spread them out in a frame 

 to dry and allow the stems to drop off naturally. 

 When dry, clear the tubers of soil aiid roots and 

 place them in a dry frost-proof shed, mixing 

 some dry sand among them. 



Pits and Frames. — Admit air to cuttings in 

 frames as soon as they are rooted : if not attended 

 to they grow weak and are liable to danip off. 

 Where Geranivim cuttings are scarce lift the best 

 of the old plants from the beds, place them in 

 boxes or pots and shorten the shoots. These 

 old plants will be valuable for stock purposes. 



Remarks. — Attention must be given to the 

 cuttings of bedding and other plants. Cxeranium 

 cuttings which were placed in boxes out of doors 

 nmst now be removed indoors, preferably to 

 frames which are heated ; the boxes should l)e 

 kept as near the glass as possible. (iive 

 abundance of air and allow slight heat in the 

 pipes. Cuttings that Avere struck in heat must 

 be removed, as the roots are formed, to cooler 

 quarters. 



Get in a stock of m;its for protecting frames, 

 or obtain plenty of bracken, and place in a shed 

 for use as a protecting material. Tlie pleasure 

 grounds require to be kept free from leaves and 

 all walks and drives. 



The Hardy Fruit Garden. 



Planting. — Preparations for the planting of 

 fruit trees shovdd be commenced. Damp heavy 

 soils may be improved by draining. Choose a 

 .time for planting when the ground is dry, as it 

 can be worked freely, and the fibrous roots are 

 not so much injured during lifting and trans- 

 planting as when the ground is wet. ]V[ake the 

 holes sufficiently wide to allow the roots to be 



spread out, avoid placing llu' rool-s too deeply 

 Scatter some of the fine soil among the roots, 

 and tread with the feet. In exposed situations 

 newly-planted trees should be secured to stakes 

 to prevent them being shaken about, until the 

 roots have taken a Ann hold of the ground. 



CJatherincj Fruit. — Late varieties of Apples 

 and Pears should not be gathered imtil the 

 stalks part readily from the trees. These fruits 

 are scarce this season in most parts. Here at 

 Farnham Bramley's Seedling are a heavy crop ; 

 some of the trees are almost laden to the ground 

 and require supports. Select sound fruits only 

 for storing, any that are bruised, small or de- 

 formed should be used first. As each variety 

 is placed in the fruit room, see that it is correctly 

 labled. Pears in the fruit room should be ex- 

 amined every few days ; remove any showing 

 decay. Allow stewing Pears to remain on the 

 trees as long as possible. 



The Song of Picardy, 



By I'atrick Macull (Author of " Songs of A 

 Dead End," " Children of The Dead End," 

 " The Rat Pit," etc.). 



Oil ! barren hearth of Picardy, 



And trampled harvest field. 



Say, who will light your fire at night 



Or mill your Autumn yield — 



No more the reaper plies his trade, 



The hovirs of peace are o'er, 



And gone the matron and the maid, 



And they return no more. 



The roads are rough in Picardy, 



The level fields are bare 



And broken down the orchard's trees, 



And ruin hovers there — 



Afar the guns of battle swell 



In clamour deep and grim, 



Where now no more the vesper bell 



Peals out the evening hymn. 



The poppies blow in Picardy, 



The skylark sings o'erhead. 



And flower and bird their vigil keep, 



Above the nameless dead : 



But though above the dark sky lowers, 



Beneath its gloom is set 



The little seeds of Freedom's flowers. 



To rim the parapet. 



And hearts are strong in Picardy 



Where Hope is still aflame, 



Where Freedom's heroes see ahead 



The goal at which they aim ; 



Though drear and cold the ruined hearth, 



And barren fields are dumb 



A voice breathes soft across the earth 



Of peace tlvat is to come. 



