i6o 



IRISH GARDENING. 



Main Crop Potatoes also must be lifted and stored 

 at the first opportunity. Those required for use 

 before Christmas may be brought into the store, 

 but the latest kinds will keep in much better con- 

 dition in clamps in the field. These should be hned 

 with good straw and covered with a good depth ot 

 earth to make them rain- and frost-proof. It 

 sprouting boxes are to hand, it is distinctly prefer- 

 able to select the " seed " for next season when the 

 crop is being lifted, rather than having to rely on 

 tubers which have been weakened by sprouting in 

 the store or pit. Store the " seed " in a light, airy 

 shed which is frost- and rat-proof. 



Cauliflowers sown last month for the earliest 

 supplies next season should now be ready to ti-ans- 

 plant or prick out into a cold frame or some posi- 

 tion out-of-doors where protection can be afforded 

 them during severe weather. They must on no 

 account be coddled, but should be encouraged to 

 make slow and sturdy growth which will not be 

 adversely affected by the cliill winds of April, when 

 tliey will be planted out in the garden. 



The earthing of Celery sliould be completed l)y 

 the end of this month. Choose a dry day for this 

 work, and give a good dressing of lime or soot to 

 ward off slugs l)efore adding fresh soil to the 

 plants. 



iMidive should now 1)(> lifted and closely ])acked 

 into cold frames, where a i)ortion at a time may be 

 darkened and l)lanehed r(>ady for use. 



A further planting of spring Cabbage may l)e 

 made during this month. These will follow on after 

 those planted last month, and will carry on the 

 supply until the first spring-sown batch is ready 

 for c-utting. 



Continue to ply tlie hoe l)etween crops of Savoys 

 and other winter greens, and remove the bottom 

 and discoloured leaves from Brussels Sprout plants 

 to encourage the sprouts to mature. 



Midland and Northern Counties 



By W. RoBKRTS, Gardener to J^ady Emily Bury, 

 Charleville Forest, Tullamore, King's County. 



The Fruit Garden. 



Ai'i'LKS and Pears as they become fit require to be 

 gathered in and stored, selecting those that fall 

 easiest first, and in all cas(>s leave them on the 

 trees as long as it is reasonably safe to do so, as I 

 find they colour up and keep much better. Apples 

 at present are almost a drug on the market com- 

 ])ared with the last few seasons, and it behoves 

 any one with any to dispose of to select and store 

 the soundest and l)est fruits for later use. using 

 those damaged in any way and inferior fruits first. 

 Preparation for the planting, lifting, root-i)runing. 

 &c., of all fruit trees should be made and begun as 

 soon as convenient, as the work is much easier and 

 better done at this time of year before the ground 

 gets sodden. It is a great advantage to have a goorl 

 heap of soil, such as old Tomato soil, leaf mould, 

 &(!., got togetlier and mixed in some open shed, 

 and a barrowful or so will be foinid very useful at 

 either operation. Keep the hoe going amongst 

 newly-planted Strawberries, make good misses, and 

 see that none get loose in the ground; keej) 

 runners. &c., off older plantations and mulch where 

 \\o\ already done. 



Friiit Houses. 



Late vineries with fruit hanging will re(|uire 

 careful attention to ventilation and at inosi>lieric 

 conditions, and also to decayed herrie.'^, (\:c. Plenty 



of air at all times except during wet or fog. with a 

 gentle heat is, of course, the ideal condition; but 

 where the latter is not available a little less air 

 and, if possible, drier conditions are the best. 

 Peach houses, both early and late, are best kept 

 fully open, and if still carrying foliage an occa- 

 sional drenching with hose or syringe will benefit, 

 and care should be taken that borders do not 

 l)ecome dry. Any lifting, root pruning. &c.. is best 

 performed before the leaves are quite all off, and 

 if, when finished, the house is kept a bit closer and 

 tlie trees syringed several times daily, the pros- 

 I)ects of a crop next season are very much improved. 

 Tomatoes in late houses require uuieh the same 

 treatment as recommended for late Grapes, with 

 ratlier more artificial heat if possible, and of course 

 drier conditions of the roots; and the same applies 

 to late Melons, which, by the way. have done very 

 well this ^ason owing to the amount of sinishine 

 we have had. I have not seen any records re the 

 latter, but would think it should compare very 

 favourably with a long period. 



The Kitchen G.\ri)en. 



Let there be no delay lifting all Potatoes, as 

 everything is against leaving them longer in the 

 ground. If sheds are available tliey can be placed 

 under cover and sorted later during l)ad weatlier ; 

 otherwise, place in heaps and c-over as best you 

 can. A little straw and sheets of corrugated iron 

 make a capital temporary arrangement. Beetroot 

 should also be lifted and stored in sand. This re- 

 quires careful handling, and is very easily damaged 

 by frost on some soils. 



Continue to earth up Celery during dry weather. 

 Where it is intended to have Rhubarl) and Seakale 

 fit for use by Christmas, a start should l^e made at 

 once by lifting a few crowns and stools ; the latter 

 are best when left exposed for a few weeks before 

 required. A second plantation of spring Cabbage 

 should be made at once to enable the i)lants to 

 become established before frost sets in. Select 

 good, firm groimd, but do not apply fresh manure, 

 as it does more harm than good l)y making them 

 grow soft and unable to stand the winter. Those 

 put out last month may be lightly moulded up if 

 large enough. If not. keep the soil stirred l)etween 

 rows mitil they are. Remove Lettuce, Cauliflowers. 

 &c., to cold frames or sheltered places for early 

 spring and summer supplies. Burn all refuse on 

 vacant ])lots 



The Flower (iARUEN. 



Lift Begonias before frost damages them. Spread 

 them out in some cool liouse or frame, and when 

 the stems drop off store them in any dry frost- 

 proof shed, mixing some dry bog-mould or sand 

 among them. 



Geranium and otlier cuttings should now be re- 

 moved indoors; give plenty of air and keej) on the 

 dry side. A good many old plants nuiy also l)e 

 lifted and placed in pots or bo.xes. Shortening 

 the shoots will be found very useful for stock i)ur- 

 poses. Wallfiowers, Myosotis, and innumera])le 

 other subjects, also Bulbs, may be planted out as 

 the summer l)edding begins to look unsightly; 

 borders and shrul)beries to be ke])t cleaned up as 

 they die down, and any alterations noted for next 

 season. liCnives will now become troublesome on 

 lawns and pleasure grounds, and should be cleaned 

 up, thougli I liave met those who like to see them on 

 the walks, <Scc., for autinnnal effect. The trouble 

 is that they will luit stay where you want tliem. 

 Be ])re])ared to ])rot('et any delicate shrubs, and 

 attend to any faulty sujiports or stakes in antici- 

 ]>ation of usual winter gales nnd eutling wiiids. 



