154 



IRISH GARDENING 



prize schemes in this case: and to what extent, 

 if any, are these object-s achieved, whether on 

 the plots or at the show? Here, at least, it would 

 seem that the primary objects of the competitions — 

 if this aspect of the matter has been considered 

 at all — is to stimulate a healthy rivalry among^«t 

 the plotholders in order to secure an increase in 

 the quantity, quality and variety of produce 

 grown. To encourage the cultivation of vege- 

 tables which are particularly necessary and 

 useful to plotholders and their families, and of the 

 flowers which they can easily grow and appre- 

 ciate. Incidentally, where a show is arranged, 

 calling the attention of the public, and possible 

 future plotholders, to the importance of the que.<- 

 tion of " gardens for the people." one misht 

 reasonably ask : what vegetables ought to be 

 grown by a plotholder r Where the plot is a large 

 one the answer is clear — all the vegetables that 

 would be required by his family during the whole 

 year around-, and where the plot is a small one — 

 those vegetables which he requires, which are the 

 most expensive to buy or most difficult to obtain 

 locally. Such being the case it might be asked : 

 does a competition held in July or August fill 

 the bill ? or would it not be wiser to arrange for 

 an additional competition during the winter 

 months, so as to induce plotholders to grow the 

 more expensive winter vegetables, rather than in- 

 ducing them to overcrowd their plots with summer 

 vegetables and ^\"ith out of season winter vege- 

 tables, all maturing during July and August. 

 Take, for instance, a typical competition, that 

 for the best cultivated plot. How often does this 

 fulfil the object for which it has been introduced 

 in a schedule of prizes ? In such a competition 

 the plots are often judged only once, the approxi- 

 mate dat« being announced a month or more 

 beforehand, there is consequently every oppor- 

 tunity for cleaning up. &c.. to be done "by those 

 who have the spare time to do it. 



The judges take the plots as they stand at the 

 moment and make their awards accordingly. 

 Being skilled observers they are able to judge as 

 to what has been, and is likely to be, done. But 

 their awards must be for the plot as they see it. 

 Three months afterwards the prize winners may 

 have the most neglected plots in the group. Then 

 again, take another typical competition, that for 

 the best collection of vegetables at the local show. 

 Here variety often counts to an abnormal extent, 

 so that one sees splendid heads of Leeks. Celery, 

 Savoy Cabbages and various other out of season 

 vegetables — which consequently have very bad 

 keening oualitie.* — in the premier collections". And 

 again, the prize for the '• best group of allot- 

 ments." quite apart from the difficulties of com- 

 paring groups of various sizes, which may be near 

 or miles away from each other, there are so many 

 different natural features, and other local condi- 

 tions prevailing that it ought to be questioned if 

 such a prize should be given at all. There are 

 many other asnects of the subject which ought to 

 be considered by a competent authority. 



My particular object in writing at the moment 

 is to call attention to what I have long considered 

 to he a matter of first iniyK-rtance to horticulturists 

 and others. It is so eai?y to go on in a groove, 

 without halting to take stock, and to consider 

 where we are going, what we are doing, and why ? 



W. H. J. 



N' B.— ' Plots " and '•'allotments" are con- 

 sidered .synonymous terms in the above note. 



The Virginian Witch'Hazel. 



Hamamelis virginiana- 

 This shrub or small tree is chiefly of interest as 

 flowering in October. Compared with the winter 

 and early spring flowering species, such as H. 

 japonica and H. mollis, it is not in the front rank, 

 yet when found in a shrubbery or about the 

 grounds at this season it affords not a little pleasure 

 to those who can see something more in a plant 

 than merely showy flowers or fruit. The striking 

 part of the flower is foimd in the four narrow strap- 

 shaped, almost thread-like, petals of a bright 

 golden, yellow colour: the flowers are produced in 

 clusters of two. three or four together, and as a 

 rule are somewhat hidden by the leaves. This year, 

 however, many of the leaves" have fallen early. 'due. 

 perhaps, to the drought, and consequently the 

 flowers are more nntitea1)ie than usual. 



Apples at the Albert Agricultural 

 College, Glasnevin. 



The horticultural section of the model farm in con- 

 nection with the above national institution is de- 

 signed to instruct young men in the principles and 

 practice of fruit and vegetable growing. The in- 

 struction thus given is subsequently disseminated 

 throughout the counties of Ireland by horticultural 

 instructors who have been trained in the College 

 garden. The orchard is laid out on model lines, 

 and is planted with a very large collection of 

 apples and bush fruits with a view not only of 

 rendering the embryo instructors familiar with 

 varieties of fruits, but also of testing those likely 

 to be successful in Ireland. Every gardener of ex- 

 perience knows that a variety may succeed in one 

 place and not in another; that some varieties are 

 suitable, and indeed indispensable, in a private 

 garden, but are totally unsuitable for orchard cul- 

 tivation. The orchard at Glasnevin is not only an 

 example of how to lay out a plantation of fruit 

 trees, but affords an object lesson in the varieties 

 most suitable for market work. 



At the time of our visit on October 6th the fol- 

 lowing were noted as fruiting freely : — 



CooKiXG Vjirieties. 



Annie Elizabeth, recommended for cooking or 

 dessert; Bramley Seedling, fine trees carrying a 

 great crop of good, clean fruits: probably the best 

 for general planting: Bisntarrf:, a fine cropper, 

 fruit large and well coloured: Seicton Wonder. 

 a rival to lirainley Seedling, but not quite such a 

 certain cropper, though established trees usually 

 bear well: Winter Hairthornden. large fruits, light 

 yellow, and red on the sunny side; Hector Mm- 

 Douald, carrying a very fine crop of good-sized 

 fruits — often described as an early Time's Prince 

 Albert: Sandringliom, a good late keeping variety, 

 green, but colouring on the sunny side. The old 

 Irish variety. Catlieud, of characteristic long 

 shape, was carrying a fine crop of large fruits, and 

 is well worth attention, at least in private gardens. 



Dessert V.\rieties. 

 Ardcairn Husset, an old Irish variety of upright 

 habit, was carrying a good crop, and equally 

 attractive was Egreniont Husset: ])ur}ie.<!s nf 

 (Gloucester, said to be the same as Ducliess Fdcoitr- 

 ite, was in excellent form, carrying a good crop 

 of brilliantly coloured fruits: AUington Pippin is 

 a dessert variety of nuicli merit, a fine cropper of 



