IRISH GARDENING. 



13 



that the strain procured is pure. Good early 

 varieties are Sharpe's Express, May Queen, and 

 Ninetyfold. The l:ioxes should be in a position 

 wliere there is plenty of light, excej^t when it is 

 desired to accelerate growth, and in any case the 

 tubers should be well exposed to light a feW 

 weeks before planting to harden the sprouts. The 

 size of the seed may be aboui that of a hen's egg. 

 Larger Potatoes can be used, but some of the 

 early varieties do not stand cutting very well. 

 British Queen, although a second early variety. 



plentiful and cheap. When manurin;;, the flower 

 border should not be overlooked — lack of manure 

 is the cause of the starved apiJearance in the 

 flower border, especially noticeable in small 

 gardens. Old chrysanthemums and herbaceous 

 plants should have been cut down, and the border 

 forked up and manured. If the turf is worn ad- 

 joining the border, fresh turf can now be laid, 

 which is usually easily procured in or about 

 allotments. Most fruit trees are best planted just 

 after the fall of the leaf, but Gooseberries and 



often gives good results if well sprouted, and 

 I)lanted early. 



General Work. — Arrangements should be made 

 to get manure carted on the plot. As we remarked 

 last month, there is nothing like good farmyard 

 manure where it can be obtained. In towns, 

 however, it is becoming more and more difficult 

 to get supplies of good manure. In some towns 

 plentiful supplies of road sweepings can be ob- 

 tained cheaply from the local authorities, but it 

 is a variable sul)stance. Digging and trenching 

 should be proceeded with, and, if desired, special 

 l)reparation can be given to the Onion V)ed. There 

 has not been the call lately to grow extra large 

 Onions on plots owing to foreign supplies being 



Currants may he planted now if the soil is in a 

 favourable condition. 



Seed Sowing. — It is not usual to go in for very 

 much seed sowing so early in the year on allot- 

 ments ; many allotments are devoid of shelter and 

 much exposed. If desired, a small sowing can be 

 made of Peas, choosing an early variety, and 

 towards the end of the month Broad Windsor 

 Beans can be sown. Sow also, in sheltered posi- 

 tions only, early varieties of Carrots and Turnips, 

 ilso a little liCt'tuce and Onions. If a greenhouse 

 is available with a little heat, seeds of Cauliflower 

 and Celery can be sown for early crops. Potato 

 Onions may be planted, especially if they are 

 inclined to grow in the store. G. H. O. 



