3C 



IRISH GARDENING. 



Allotment Notes. 



Although tlu' war may. we all hope, be virtually 

 regarded as over, the demand for food, esijecially 

 on the Continent, is still an urgent matter, and the 

 eidtivation of allotments one of national necessity. 

 We are. however, going to suggest that where pos- 

 silile some space might reasonably be devoted on 

 the allotment to a flower Ijorder. It has not been 

 our experience that space devoted to flowers ha- 

 resulted ni a corresjjonding shortage of vegetables. 

 Rather the best growers of vegetables are, without 

 exception, men who can still find rooni for a flower 

 Ijorder. In fact, the cultivation of a flower border 

 is sometimes included under the ndes whereby 

 l)lots are let to tenants. Where the plots are sa 

 laid out that each plot holder can have access to 

 his plot for a cart, it is usual for the flower border 

 to be at that end of the plot adjoining the cart 

 way. We can point to examples where these cart 

 roads have resembled a broad avenue, in places 

 overhung with arches of roses, and with flower 

 borders on each side presenting a magnificeni 

 sjx'ctacle — the skill of souie amateurs ))eing un- 

 surpassed in thi; respect. Now, we believe this to 

 In- all for the good. Allotment holders in these 

 groups of plots have a real garden of their own, 

 which is at once a pleasure to theiuselves, their 

 fauiilies, and jiassers-by. Naturally this aspect of 

 the i)lot has not lieen developed so uuich the last 

 year or two, but it is surprising what can be done 

 with the showy kinds of vegetables. A trellis is 

 (juite easily fixed with stout rods and string whicii 

 will i)c suitable for Scarlet Runners, and display 

 llic beautiful green foliage and scarlet fhnvers in 

 the suuHiier. This luay conveniently be i)laced 

 four feet from tiie edge of the plot. In the inter- 

 vening space odd plants of Carrots, the foliage of 

 which, when well developed, is quite as elegant as 

 luany plants grown pin-ely for ornamental pur- 

 ])oses. Crimson-leaved Beet, an odd Parsnip, and 

 a few flowers uuike a veritable war-tiuu' flower 

 i)order. As^ the extreme urgency for vegetables 

 slackens, the number of flowers can l)e increased, 

 and Sweet Peas take the place of Scarlet Runners. 

 Skkd Sowing. — The majority of allotment holders 

 <l(j not attempt to sow seeds as early as takes place 

 in private and market gardens. One of tlie chief 

 causes for this is, of course, the inability to be able 

 to select aniitable site and to 'take advantage of the 

 few days at this time of the year when the weather 

 and soil are most favourable for early sowing of 

 seeds. Where opportunities present themselves, 

 nuiny seeds may Ix- sown during this month to give 

 early crops. Broad Beans sown now will provide 

 an early supply. If it is not intended, however, 

 to SOW' this crop in a bed or rows, a few seeds could 

 be sown between other crops. Parsley is a profit- 



able crop to tliose allotment holders who sell their 

 surplus produce, and a small sowing can now^ be 

 made. Parsnips grow well on ground whicli has 

 previously been occupied with Celery trenches, as 

 this vegetable enjoys a deeply worked soil and a 

 long season of growth. Rake the surface soil as 

 smooth as possible, and draw drills 15 inches to 

 18 inches apart. Sow very thinly; this plant 

 makes a lot of growth, and is too often shameiuliy 

 treated by plot holders. If extra fine roots are 

 wanted for exhibition, holes nuiy be made with a 

 crow'bar, filling up with finely-sifted soil, and then 

 sowing a few seeds. A small sowing can be made 

 of Celery in pots or boxes in a heated frame or 

 greenhouse. As soon as the seedlings develop, 

 watch that they do not become overcrowded, and 

 keep the young plants near the glass to prevent 

 them becoming long and weak. Early varieties of 

 Carrots and White Turnips can be sown where the 

 soil is light and easily warmed by the sun. Peas of 

 the first early varieties may also be sown in 

 similar positions, but precautions should be taken 

 against mice, slugs, &c. Usually a dressing of soot 

 and finely-sifted coal ashes prove effective against 

 these pests. Towards the end of the month sow in 

 boxes Brussel's Sprouts, Broccoli, and Caulillower, 

 transplanting them when large enough into 

 frames. Many allotment holders purchase these 

 plants, esi)ecially Caulifiowers. and often, unfortu- 

 nately, introduce on the plot Finger-and-Toe or 

 Clubroot disease. More than once we have ob- 

 served young ])lants of the Cabbage Family ex- 

 posed for sale where allotment holders usually pur- 

 chase, which were simply full of this disease, the 

 nature of which the allotment holder was ignorant 

 of, being in its early stages, but which must have 

 been quite apparent to the vendor. One of the 

 greatest plant pathologists gave it as his opinion 

 that if seed-beds for the various kinds of cabbages 

 are jjroperly liiued the plants will grow up free 

 from disease, as infection takes place in the seed- 

 ling stage or quite early period of growth. Ex])eri- 

 uients we have carried out appear to confirm this 

 statement, and further trials will be made. 



Prep.^ration of thk Soil. — Every oi)i)ortiniity 

 should be taken to complete the work of digging 

 and trenching. Where the ground was dug over in 

 the autuum, advantage should l)e taken when the 

 land is dry to work the soil and attempt to get it 

 into a condition ready for srtwing seeds. This ap- 

 plies particularly to light soils. No advantage is 

 gainonl by attemi)ting to work on heavy or clay 

 soils when the land i< wet; rather the reverse in 

 fact. The keen, dry winds of March maki' a great 

 iui{)icssion on heavy land. 



Sphing Cabbagk. — Exaiuine the rows of these 

 ])lants, and where there are gaps fill these uj) with 

 young plants from the seed ))ed. 



Shallots. — Shallots are grown extensively on 

 allotuuMits, and probably no crop is more easily 

 grown. Moreover, under good conditions they are 

 most prolific, and provide a good substitute for 

 Onions. Sluillots also have the advantage of rii>eii- 

 ing early and keeping well through the winter. 

 They may be planted during February on ground 

 that has been well manured. Press the bulbs 

 firndy into the ground about !) inches ai)art and 

 ]-2 inches between the rows. Al)Out .S lbs. should 

 plant two rows ."{(l feet long. Tf the soil is suitable. 

 l)lant also Potato Onions. 



.Ikrusalkm Artichokks. — This croj) has bei'U 

 suggested as a substitute for the Potato. Iloweyer, 

 it is usually ])lanted in any odd corner. It is a 

 gross feeder, and under the best conditions grow>; 

 rather tall and suffers from autuum gales. The 

 tul)ers shoiUd now be planted, where it is intended 

 to grow this crop. G. H. O. 



