62 



IRISH GARDENING, 



Allotments. 



A\ interesting publii'atinn wliic-h lias just !>crii 

 issnecl is tlio " Annual Year Bonk of tlio Bflfast 

 (uirdeii Plots Association." This Year Book con- 

 tains, besides the usual report and Ijalance sheet. 

 much useful information for allotment holders. 

 The schedule is also enclosed for the Third Annual 

 Show, which will l)e held in Belfast during Sin>- 

 tember, IDl'J. The Association has proved the 

 value of competitions for plot holders, and it is 

 intended, by an enlarged scheme of advertising, to 

 bring this year's show more prominently before 

 the public. The schedule contains 28 classes, antj 

 it is interesting to record that last year tiiere was 

 a large increase in the attendance, both of plot 

 holders and the general public. Competitions on 

 the plots have now been held for a number of years. 

 and an elaborate scheme has been prepared tor 

 this season, so convinced are the Association of the 

 valiu' of these competitions in giving a healthy 

 stimulus to the movement generally. The Belfast 

 (iarden I'lots Association was formed for the ])ur- 

 ])Ose of providing Allotment Gardens for working 

 uien and other small wage-earners who have no 

 gardens attached to tlieir dwellings. Such has 

 been the growth of the movement, that the numlier 

 of allotments under the control of the Association 

 now total 4.fi.;4. In addition there are more than 

 •J.OOO i)lots independ'/nt of the Association in Bel- 

 fast alone, not including any immediately outside 

 the city. The large majority of the j)lots are one- 

 sixteenth of a statute acre; u very few arc larger. 

 When a ]jlot of land is taken over, fo include the 

 cartways and footpaths, it usually works out about 

 twelve plots to the acre. Calculating on this basis 

 there must be appro.ximately 550 acres of land de- 

 voted to allotments in Belfast. This colunm is not 

 the place 1o enlarge on this subject, but who can 

 estimate the many aflvantages which arise from 

 such a large area of land being devoted to this j)ur- 

 pose in the very midst of an industrial connnunity ? 

 Skfj) Sowing.— Except on light soils, we found" it 

 impossible to sow many seeds on the allotments 

 until the end of March, and only then by frc;- 

 quently turning the soil and expo.siny it to dry 

 wind. Fortunately, in this respect the month of 

 Marcl) proved favouiable. and, theref<u-e, no time 

 should now be lost in getting the large bulk of the 

 seeds and plants in the ground. Seeds that may be 

 left until May include Beans, both the Kidney and 

 Runner kinds; also the maincrop varieties of 

 Turnips and Beet. Witli these few exceptions, work 

 should be undertaken this month in real earnest to 

 make up for lost time, as so much depends upon 



the work now. wiiether it is to be success or only 

 a half-hearted attempt. Keep in mind the neces- 

 sity for getting a fine tilth for sowing seeds. Where 

 birds are troublesome, black cotton should be 

 crossed and re-crossed over the seed beds. In some 

 allotments mice are a nuisance. If the seed is 

 damped and then dusted with red lead it generally 

 wards off these i)ests. With regard to slugs and 

 siuiils, dry slaked lime or soot should be dusted 

 along the rows. It is necessary, however, to renew 

 the lime or soot, as the case nuiy be. after rain. 



C.\ui.iFLOWKRS. — This crop is not always as 

 successfvd as it might be on allotments. The seeds 

 are often sown too thickly, and the seedling plants 

 left to become overcrowded. The result is. long, 

 spindly plants with weak leaves. Seeds may V)e 

 sown in the autunui and wintered in a cold frame, 

 or plants raised imder glass by sowing in February. 

 The main croi) is raised from seeds sown early in 

 April. Transplant the seedling plants in moist 

 weather, and endeavour to grow them without 

 checking the growth. Cauliflowers do well in a 

 rich, moist soil made firm. 



Broccoli. — Wt> have been cutting throughout the 

 winter, on our demonstration plots, a good niuuber 

 of Snow's Winter White Broccoli. Unfortunately, 

 in large towns, the heads get very dirty in bad 

 weather, but from January and onwards it pro- 

 vides a useful crop. We sow this variety early in 

 April, and then transplant into betU fairly thickly. 

 .\fter the Potatoes are lifted, the Broccoli is planted 

 out. Potatoes being usually well manured, no 

 further manuring i> required. Too nuich nuinure 

 for Broccoli results in soft leaves, and the plants 

 do not stand the winter so well. 



Lkttuce. — Small quantities of seed should he 

 sown I'very fortnight. In the suiinner hettuce 

 transi)laiits badly, and seeds should be sown where 

 the croj) is to remain. 



Onions. — Transplanting Unions is an operation 

 which requires care. In every case the young roots 

 should be luuidled to keep them intact. Plant 

 carefully, not sinking the stems deeper than to 

 keep the plants ui)right. Like most things, how- 

 evi-r, there is an excei)tion to this. Soil may be 

 drawn higher tl.an the level of the grovnid to keep 

 the plants upright. When the roots have taken 

 hold, the soil should be drawn away from the necks 

 to allow the l)ulbs to develoi). 



Onion Mildew is prevalent on allotiiieiits. The 

 first indication of the disease is the ])resence of 

 small white patches of mildew on the leaves. In 

 warm and moist weather the mildew rapidly in- 

 creases, but dry conditions are against it. If the 

 foliage is soft, the |)lants may be sprayed with one 

 ounce of liver of sulphur to hve gallons of water. 

 When the foliage is hard the quantity of water 

 may be slightly leduci'd; but if the solution is too 

 strong it will buiii the leaves. Three per cent, of 

 sul))hate of iron dissolved in water can also be 

 used, and will not injure the leaves. i)roviding the 

 su li)hate of iron is pure. Both solutions are dieap 

 and easily prepared. 



liKKKs. — If the seeds have not already been sown, 

 no further tinu- should be lost, so that good plants 

 may be obtained to plant out on ground that is 

 now occupied by early and second early Potatoes. 



Fi.owi'.ii BonDKK. — Hardy Annuals should be 

 sown where they are to I't'main. Such kinds as 

 (iodetia and Clarkia are l)ad to transplant. TIk; 

 surface soil of the llowH'r border can hardly bt> too 

 line for sowing ainiuals, and the seedling plants 

 should be thinned out early. Well develojjod 

 plants groM-ing in rich, moist soil will produce a 

 lovely musi of bloom. 



G. H. O. 



