174 



IRISH GARDENING 



horticulture to the utmost, not only from the 

 point of view of producing more food, but also 

 with a view to adding to the amenities of life in 

 planting for ornament and in the introduction of 

 new and rare plants from far countries. 

 J.et us see to it that Ireland does not lag behind. 



Woolly Aphis, or American Blight 



(SCHIZONKUR.i I,.\NIGERA). 



This pest is unfortunately too common on Apple 

 trees, particularly if they have been neglected in 

 cultivation. 



The appearance of the pest is familiar to most 

 people connected with Apple growing. The injury 

 to tlie tree is caused l)y the insect piercing the 

 l)ark and sucking the juice, and a severe attack 

 will eventually destroy a tree. Various remedies 

 liave been tried; one of the best, when the attack 

 i-! slight, being to lightly nrush over the small 

 clusters of insects with an ordinary sash tobl 

 dipped in methylated spirits. This, though 

 effective, can only be carried out on a limited 

 scale. Where the attack is severe spraying must 

 l)f resorted to both in winter and summer. 



ruraffin is the most effective insecticide for spray- 

 iiiL'. and should be used in the form of Petroleum 

 iMiiulsion. Tliis can be purchased, ready-made to 

 a i)roj)er fornuila, and with relial)le instructions 

 for dilution to the riglit strength. 



Affected trees should be tlioroughly sprayed as 

 soon as the leaves are off, and it is of importance 

 to apply the spray with considerable force, the 

 difficulty ))eing to penetrate the woolly covering 

 which protects the insect. The Petroleum spray 

 may also be applied in summer, though then it is 

 more difficult to reach the pest owing to the 

 leaves. Nevertheless, persistent and careful 

 si)rayiiig is the only remedy. 



PoMON.\. 



NOTICE 



Tj EADERS are Invited to submit questions 

 bearmg on gardenmg in any of its 

 branches. It is our desire to stimulate and 

 encourage gardenmg m Ireland, and we are 

 in touch with experts who will be glad to 

 give every assistance. 



We are always open to consider articles, 

 and would be glad to receive photographs — 

 of gardens or plants for publication, if suit- 

 able ; senders will oblige by stating whether 

 payment is desired in the event of publication. 



Contributions should reach the Editor not 

 later than the 1 5th of each month. 





Allotments. 



Genkral Work. — Little can be done this month in 

 the way of cultivation of the crops. Those allot- 

 ment holders who cultivated the plots so as to 

 ensure a supply of vegetables during the winter 

 will now reap an advantage over others who merely 

 planted tlie plots with Potatoes and Cabbages 

 Many allotment holders have now good sui)plies of 

 Leeks, Cabbages, Broccoli. Sprouts, and Curled 

 Greens as well as root crops. Where the roots have 

 been stored on the plot, precautions should be taken 

 in the way of an extra covering of soil, as frost, in 

 more or less severity, can now be expected. 



Digging. — The period of drought this season has 

 once again emphasised the importance of double- 

 digging. Plots which had ])een trenched gave a 

 far better return of vegetables, and did not appear 

 to suffer in the dry weather to anything like the 

 same extent as ])lots which had only been culti- 

 vated to a shallow depth. Even in ordinary digging 

 the spade should be pushed down as deeply as pos- 

 sible, and the soil pro])er]y turned over. It follows 

 that if the spade is only pushed down five or six 

 inches every time, the plot is dug to that depth 

 only. Whereas the deeper the spade is pushed the 

 deeper will tlie jjlot be dug all over. To bring land 

 into the liighest state of cultivation it should be 

 double-dug or trenched. If the whole plot cannot 

 be trenched in one year, the process coukl extend 

 over two or even three years. Trenching is best 

 done in the autumn or early winter, when the con- 

 ditions arc favourable. Whether the sub-soil 

 should be brought uj) and the top soil placed below 

 is a matter of o])inion, l)ut allotment holders gener- 

 ally are well advised to let the subsoil remain 

 below. The digging should cease when the ground 

 is frozen, unless it has been protected with litter. 

 On no account should snow be dug in. Heavy soils 

 es])ecially will l)eiiefit by being dug dee])ly hi the 

 autumn and the surface left rough and lumpy, ex- 

 I)osed to the frost. Heavy land which is often diffi- 

 cult to get into the right condition for sowing seeds 

 in the spring should also l)e manured in the 

 autumn, if possibl(\ and. after di<."j;ing, if a good 

 sprinkling of powdered lime could be given the 

 surface will not be so sticky in the spring. 

 Digging the land deeply also jjrovides an oppor- 

 tunity to bury weeds and rubbish wliich have 

 accumulated on the j)l()t. All ])lants which are 

 diseased, however, should be burnt, and the aslies 

 will be useful for digging into th(> ground for 

 Onions. 



Manure.— Allotnicnl holders are f)l)ligc(l to take 

 wliat manure can be obtained locally. Ciood farm- 

 yard manure is worth i)aying a little more for if it 

 can l)e obtained. Plothoklers in th(> North describe 

 farmyard manure as " good value." and undoubl- 



