IRISH GARDENING 



95 



The Month's Work. 



Southern and Western Counties, 



By T. E. ToiiALix, Gardener to the Eight Hon. 

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

 borough, County Kilkenny. 



The Flower Garden. 



Planting. — Every endeavour should be made to 

 complete the planting of summer bedding plants, 

 and the filling of vases and window boxes as eai]y 

 in the month as possible. For vases on wind- 

 swept terraces or window boxes in ccpDsed posi- 

 tions it is best to rely on subjects of proved 

 adaptability, and many charming combinations 

 are possible with these. For instance, white 

 Marguerites may be edged with pink or lof-e- 

 coloured Ivy-leaved Geranium, and the valuable 

 soft yellow Calceolaria amplexicaulis. which 

 flowers until late autumn, gives a charming effect 

 if edged with Vjlue trailing Lobelia. In all cases 

 put in plenty of plants, so that the vase or box 

 may quickly become well furnished. Fuchsias, 

 with the exception of the hardy kinds, require a 

 sheltered situation, as they suffer badly if ex- 

 posed to high winds ; and the same applies to 

 Begonias started indoors, which can now be 

 safely planted outside. If dry weather prevails, 

 overhead waterings should be given every evening 

 mitil the plants are well established, after which 

 the frequent use of the Dutch hoe will do much 

 to promote growth. 



Staking. — Dahlias and herbaceous plants that re- 

 quire staking should be attended to before they are 

 likely to fall down, as when the latter occurs it 

 means double labour afterwards and usually an 

 indifferent result. Stakes should be as iniobstru- 

 sive as possible, but forethought must, of course, 

 be exercised as to the height and strength of 

 stakes required by the different subjects when 

 fully grown. For Carnations there is nothing to 

 equal the spiral wire stakes sold by most seeds- 

 men, as with these no tying is necessary. 



Annuals such as Malope, Clarkia, Cornflower, 

 See. are best supported by branchy peasticks, 

 which should be inserted amongst them when 

 they are about a foot high. If this is done with 

 careful regard to their height when in flower, the 

 stakes will then be scarcely noticeable. 



Climbers. ^ — The young growths of Clematis and 

 many other climbing plants should be attended 

 to at weekly intervals at this season, and until 

 they conunence to flower, after which very little 

 further attention is necessary. 



The Vegetable Garden. 



Planting. — Tomatoes and Marrows may now be 

 planted out of doors. Tomatoes require a warm, 

 sunny position and good soil, no fresh manure, 

 but a good dusting of bone meal or superphos- 

 phate forked into the ground before planting 

 will be of great benefit to them. Liquid manure 

 should not be given until a full crop of fruit has 

 set. When 5 or 6 trusses of fruit have set on a plant 

 it should be stopped at the leaf above the last 

 truss, as that will be quite as many as the plant 

 will have time to perfect in any average Irish 

 sinnmer. 



Contuiue to plant Cauliflowers as the plants 

 become large enough. These require rich soil 

 and plenty of liquid manure during dry weather 

 The earliest Brussels Sprouts will now be fit to 

 transfer to their permanent position. The ground 

 for these should be firm and not too rich. They 

 should be planted at three feet apart each way. 



Celery should be planted as soon as ready. On 

 no account should the plants be allowed to become 

 drawn and crowded before doing so. Plant nine 

 inches apart in well manured trenches, and water 

 copiously after planting. Frequent dustings with 

 soot well watered in afterwards will prevent the 

 leaf mining maggot, besides greatly encouraging 

 the growth of the plants. 



Sowing.— Midseason and late Peas may be 

 sown up to the middle of the month. It is a 

 good plan at this season to sow Peas in shallow 

 trenches, at the bottom of which some old hot- 

 bed material has been dug in deeply. Scatter 

 the seeds thinly along the trench and cut down 

 enough soil from the sides to cover them. This 

 system to a great extent prevents drought and 

 consequent mildew, and the trench greatly facili- 

 tates watering, should a long spell of hot weather 

 render this necessary. 



A sowing of Coleworts may still be made to 

 provide plants for ground cleared of early crops, 

 and a border should also be sown with Short Horn 

 Carrots for using in a young state during autumn 

 and winter. Dwarf Beans, Spinach, Lettuce and 

 Turnips should be sown at intervals of ten days 

 or so to ensure a succession of these vegetables. 



An American Cowslip (page 89). 

 Dodecatheon integrifolia. 



