158 



IRISH GARDENING 



Allotments* 



The prolonged drought has had a marked effect on 

 winter greens, and their growth on the majority of 

 plots has been anything but satisfactory. Late 

 Peas and Beans have also to a certain extent 

 suffered. However, as a compensation, potato 

 blight is practically absent on the plots in Belfast. 

 and if the crop is not so heavy as usual it is clean 

 and sound. We have had better crops on the plots, 

 but probably during no season have the benefits of 

 allotments been more enjoyed. Large numbers of 

 people took advantage of spending the evenings on 

 the plots during the hot season. 



Storing Vegetables. 



The produce of an allotment can be made to last 

 much longer if the crops are properly stored for the 

 winter. Apart from the price of foodstuffs, vege- 

 tables are too valuable to be allowed to waste. Last 

 month some hints were given on storing potatoes. 

 Other vegetables will now be dealt with. Vegetables 

 cannot, of course, be too fresh for use. But in some 

 cases where the crop would spoil by l)eing left in 

 the ground, when properly stored the freshness can 

 be preserved and the crops easily available for use 

 when the gro>uid is frozen. In all cases care should 

 be taken when lifting crops to be stored, and par- 

 ticularly so in the case of Beet. Another advantage 

 gained by lifting and storing the crops— the ground 

 can be dug, instead of leaving this all-important 

 operation until the spring. 



Carrots.— The crop should be lifted about the 

 end of Octolx'r or beginning of Noveml)er. To 

 avoid breaking the roots the ground should be 

 loosened with a fork and the tops pulled at the 

 same time. The leaves should be cut off fairly 

 close to the crown. The roots can then be stored 

 in sandy soil in a shed or any cool place. They 

 may also he stored on the plot and covered over 

 with turf. 



Parsnii'8.— This crop keeps best in the ground, 

 and the roots have a better flavour when newly 

 dug. A few can be lifted and stored the same as 

 Carrots, and the renuiinder of the crop lifted when 

 signs of growth appear in the s])ring. 



Beet.— Beet should not be allowed to get Irozen 

 in the ground or the roots may be ruined. When 

 the (;rop is left in the ground the crowns should be 

 covered over with litter or leaves. When lifting 

 the crop great care should he taken not to injure 

 or break the roots, and the tops should be twisted, 

 not cut, off. They may then be i)lace<l in layers 

 with the crowns outwards, and covered over with 

 soil sufficient to keep tlie frost from the roots. 



Swede Turnips. — Part of the crop may be left in 

 the grovmd. It is advisable, however, to lift the 

 crop. The roots can be stored in a similar manner 



to Potatoes, and covered with straw and soil. The 

 heap shoidd be turned occasionally, and the leaves 

 cut off, which are almost certain to grow no matter 

 how cool the heap is kept. 



Kohl Rabi. — Where this crop is grow^n it may be 

 stored as advised for Turnips. Kohl Rabi is very 

 liardy. 



Salsify. — Quite a niuiiher of plotholders have 

 grown this crop during the year. The roots keep 

 best in the ground, and nuiy be lifted as required. 

 These same renuirks apply also to Jerusalem Arti- 

 chokes. 



General Work. — As the crops are removed, dig 

 over the vacant ground and place the refuse, such 

 as leaves of Caulillowers, SiC. in the bottom of the 

 trench when digging. Weeds should be prevented 

 from seeding; otherwise they w-ill be a source of 

 trouble. The seeds will commence to grow when 

 the plot is sown again in the spring. Autunui-sown 

 Cabbages should be planted now, if not already 

 done. It is a mistake to allow the plants to become 

 leggy by overcrowding in the seed lied. Continue 

 to earth Celery up as the plants require more soil. 

 Celery is, of course, quite hardy, but the methods 

 adopted for blanching the stems reduce the vitality 

 of the plant. Dry fern is an excellent covering for 

 the trenches in very wet or frosty weather, and 

 will help the plants to resist decay. Seedling plants 

 of Cauliflowers and Lettuce may be planted closely 

 together in frames, or choose a spot on the plot 

 which is protected. The whole of the crop of the 

 Potatoes should now be lifted and stored as advised 

 in these notes for September. The tubers should 

 be exposed to the light as little as possible. Sets 

 that are to be planted next year may, however, be 

 greened if desired. The stocks of Onions and 

 Shallots should be examined. Any which show 

 signs of decay should be removed. A few plot- 

 holders grow Tomatoes in frames. If the fruits 

 are gathered and hung in a warm place they will 

 ripen fairly well even if they are green when 

 gathered. Where Garlic is grown it may be 

 planted this month if the soil is in good condition. 

 If not, it is better to defer planting until the 

 spring. 



The Flower Bordki;. — (ieraninms. Dahlias, and 

 other lilants which will not stand the winter should 

 be lifted. Dahlias will keep in a shed if covered 

 over with dry leaves or litter. The Geraniums 

 should V)e potted into snuill pots and kept dry at 

 the roots during the winter. The hardy herbaceous 

 plants should be cut down. Weak plants or special 

 kinds may l)e ])rotect(xl with cinders, and marked 

 with a stick. Annual plants should be ])ulled up. 

 and the ground dug. The llower border is often 

 neglected in the way of manure, and a plentiful 

 supply should be forked in to get the l)est results. 

 The border may then be planted with Wallflowers 

 and edged with Forget-me-Not. When these are 

 planted a few^ Tidips, Daffodils, and Crocus may be 

 jjlanted. This is the nu-thod we adopt, and the 

 display is nnich aflmired in the spring. 



G. H. O. 



Bellas Non-bleeding Beet. 



This is a really good variety of a popular vegetable, 

 and should he widely known. Grown under nornuil 

 conditions, it forms medium-sized roots of nice 

 .shape, flesh a ricli dark crimson colour. The term 

 non-bleeding is not misajiplied, as broken roots 

 cooked in the usual way retain their colour quite 

 well. Although there is no excuse for carelessness 

 in lifting, it is satisfactory to know that damaged 

 roots II av be used. Gardener. 



