IRISH GARDENING. 



63 



The Month^s Work 



Southern and Western Counties. 



By T. E. ToMALiN, Gardener to the Right Hon. 

 The Earl of Bessborough, K.P., Bess- 

 borough, County Kilkenny. 



The Flower Garden. 



Many of the showiest annuals if sown during 

 this month will give a lasting display from mid- 

 July onwards. These include Clarkia Lavatera, 

 Malope, Eschscholtzia. Larkspurs. Nigella. 

 Mignonette, Linunr rubruin, Sweet Sultan and 

 Cornflower. Assuming that the ground for tliese 

 was well dug or trenched and enriched witli 

 manuie, as advised in this column in Janu;t.ry, 

 all that will be necessary now is to tread the 

 surface evenly when dug and rake it fine. Sow 

 the seeds evenly and thinly, rake> them in lightly, 

 and water well afterwards with a fine rose. 

 Thinning is im])ortant and should be st;i.rted as 

 soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, 

 and subsequently at fortnightly intervals until 

 the required space is given. 



Pentstemons rooted in cold frames should be 

 planted out as early in the month as possible to 

 get the best results. They require a distance of 

 15 inches apart each way. Violas, also, may be 

 planted during this month. 



The herbaceous Lobelias, which include 

 Cardinalis and its vaiieties, as well as Syphilitica, 

 Rosea and Carmine Queen, are anrongst the 

 most useful subjects for summer and autumn 

 display. To get the best results they shovild be 

 lifted and divided annually, about the middle of 

 April. Replant single shoots witli roots attached, 

 at 9 inches apart each way, in well manured 

 ground, and water copiously in dry weather 

 throughout the svrmmer. 



Sweet Peas r-aised in pols and boxes should 

 be planted as soon as the ground is in good 

 order. If they are allowed to become rather dry 

 before planting, it will be easy to shake each 

 plant out of the soil singly, with all its roots 

 intact. Water well after planting and stake 

 with small twiggy branches. If cold drying winds 

 prevail they should be protected for a few days 

 with small spruce boughs. 



The Vegetable Garden. 



Onions. — If the main crop has been raised in 

 boxes they should be planted as early in the 

 month as possible, when T.he ground is in good 

 order. Tread or roll the ground firmly and 

 di'aw lines at 15 inches apart, dibbling in the 

 young plants at (i to 9 inches apart in the rows. 

 It is important noc to plant too deeply or a thick- 

 necked, non-keeping crop will result. Water 

 in well after planting, and hoe between at 

 intervals of ten days or so. Frequent dustings 

 of soot during showry weather will immensely 

 benefit this crop. 



Cauliflowers raised imder glass and properly 

 hardened off, may now be planted ovrt in ricii 

 ground. Eighteen inches apart each way wil' 

 provide space enough for this early batch, but. 2 

 feet will not be too much to allows later plantings. 



Parsley and Lettuce raised indoors should also 

 be planted now. 



Seakale sets, if prepared during the winter and 

 laid in ashes, may now be plantinl. Insert the 

 thongs or crowns vertically, so that the top is 

 just below the surface of the soil. If the crowns 

 are to be lifted for forcing they should be planted 

 iir rows 2 feet apart, and 1 foot apart in the rows, 

 but if they are to be covered where they grow it 

 is better to plant three in a triangle at 1 foot 

 apart, allowing 2 feet -each way between each 

 clump. 



Autumrr and winter Broccolis, Kales and 

 Savoys shorrld be sown during this month, also 

 Cauliflowers for succession. Autumn Broccoli 

 require sowing early in the month, winter kinds 

 al)out the middle, "and the late spring varieties 

 near the end of the month. 



Sow also more Peas for succession, and Broad 

 Beans ; and Carrots for nrain crop. 



Celery seedlings should now be pricked out 

 into rich soil in a cold frame at 8 inches apart 

 eaich way. Keep them well watered and dust 

 over with soot at forf nii^htlv intervals. 



The Fruit Garden. 



Pruning.— Xewly planted fririt trees should 

 now be pruned, and the leading growths shortened 

 to about a thii-d of their original length. This 

 applies to trained trees on walls as well as to 

 bush and standard trees in the operr. If dry 

 weather supervenes they should be well midched 

 in good time with stra^vy rnanirre. See that all 

 stakes and ties are in good order aird suitably 

 placed, as it will not be easy to see them after 

 this month when the foliage has covered them. 



Strawberries. — It is rrsually recommended to 

 Mulch Stra^^■berry beds with cleair straw during 

 ]May, and for new beds this is doubtless the best 

 plan. But irr the ca.se of older beds t.hat ha.ve 

 somewliat exhaiisted the soil it is \\vli to midch 



PkIMULA MoOltEAXA, 



The best of the capitata set. 



