IRISH GARDENING 



31 



Carrots. ^Towards the end of the luonth a sow- 

 ing of a stump-rooted variety should be made in 

 -.1 warm corner. I have found Early Stiriiiiff 

 Reliance an ideal one for early use; it is a quick 

 grower, and of excellent quality. 



French Beans will force much easier now, as 

 the sun is gaining more power and days are 

 lengthening. Sow six or eight seeds in 7 or 8-inch 

 ]»ots, filled about three-parts full with good soil, 

 and ijlaced in a warm house; syringe freely to 

 keep Red Spider in check. When the plants are 

 well up and growing freely, give a good top- 

 dressing, placing twigs round as a means of sup- 

 ])ort for the i)lants when carrying a heavy crop; 

 when the pods are well set. feed with weak liquid 

 manure. 



Herbs of the pereiniial varieties in borders 

 should he seen to; if grown in the same position 

 from year to year some decayed manure should 

 be spread over the ground to afford nourishment. 

 New plantations should be made when old stocks 

 are exhausted. 



Jerusalem Artichokes may be planted any time 

 now. These are not particular as to soil, but the 

 better the position the better the results. Plant 

 in drills about 3 feet apart, and 18 inches l)etween 

 the sets. If last year's crop is still in the ground 

 lift them, and select the planting tubers, storing 

 the remainder in sand for future use. 



Lettuce in frames should be aired freely on fine 

 days, and watered as occasion demands. Make a 

 small sowing indoors to supply heads to succeed 

 those sown in the autunui; transplant in frames 

 and on a warm bolder when large enough. 



Onions sown in boxes last month, will be coming 

 through the soil. Keep growing gently, hardening 

 off gradually till the cold frame is reached. The 

 end of the month will be soon enoup'h to sow the 

 main crop, providing always the ground can be got 

 into a suitable state; nothing is gained by working 

 on sticky soil, but in many cases valuable seed is 

 destroyed. Give the plot a good forking over, 

 breaking up the lumps: follow with a dressing of 

 wood-ashes and soot. If this is done in the morn- 

 ing of a promising dav and left to dry for a few 

 hours, less trouble will be found to secure a good 

 seed bed. Sow thinly in drills 12 to 15 inches 

 apart, about 1 inch deep, cover lightly with the 

 back of the rake, finishing off by raking length- 

 ways up the drills to avoid scattering the seeds 

 over the plot. I sow all my main crop Onions in 

 lioxes this month, planting out when of a suitable 

 size. Plant out Tripolis if not done in the 

 autumn. Owing to so nnich moisture in this dis- 

 trict I have failed to keep Tripolis through the 

 winter; they simply melt away, consequently, I 

 have given up the practice. Onion sets gives me 

 more satisfaction. These may be planted in drills, 

 a? advised above, and inches between each set, 

 simply pushing the little bulb into the soil; draw 

 every alternate plant when fit to use, leaving the 

 others to mature. 



Parsnips require a long season's growth, and 

 should be sown as soon as convenient. Choose a 

 piece of ground that was well manured and deeply 

 ('u; last year; where Cauliflower or Snrouts were 

 grown makes a suitable plot. After breaking up 

 the soil give a dressing of wood-ashes and a light 

 (lusting of basic slatr; I believe this reduces rust 

 on the roots. Sow in drills 18 inches apart and 

 2 inches deep; a good plan is to drop a few seeds 



every 9 inches along the drills, thinning out all 

 l)ut the strongest later on. 



Peas. — Good cultivation is essential for this 

 choice vegetable, which well repays the little extra 

 trouble taken in the preparation of the soil. Pre- 

 pare trenches for late crops, leaving the surface 

 rough until required for sowing. 



Make another sowing in boxes, and when con- 

 ditions are favourable, sow an early variety out- 

 side—such as Multiple, The Pilot, or Gradus. 



Potatoes in frames must not be cuddled, or too 

 much tap at the expense of tubers will be the 

 result. Water with care and earlv in the day, to 

 enable the moisture to dry up before nightfall. 

 Fiost has a more penetrating effect if frames are 

 iKdisture laden. Prepare to plant a few sets on an 

 early border or along the foot of a warm wall. 

 New Potatoes are much appreciated in most estab- 

 lishments, and when forcing is not carried out, a 

 little extra care and trouble is well rewarded. 

 There are several good varieties for early plant- 

 ing, but I favour Uuke of York; it is also a good 

 forcer. 



Radish may be sown in small quantities from 

 time to time on an early border, protecting from 

 small birds, which are "very destructive to these. 



Turnips, too, will claim a corner of the early 

 border. The end of the month will be soon enough 

 to sow. Many of these may run to seed, but for a 

 few early ones it is worth the risk. 



Tomatoes. — Make a sowing early this month, 

 and grow in a warm house close to the glass; keep 

 them as sturdy as possible. A sowing about the 

 end of the month will provide plants for a main 

 crop and for planting outside; put them on as 

 required. Water carefully until the flowering 

 stage is reached, when a more generous supply 

 should be given to secure a good set of fruit. 



General Remarks. — Remove all decayed leaves 

 from growing vegetables, and continue collecting 

 material for hotbeds when forcing is practiced. 

 Parsnips are better lifted before growth starts. 

 Burn up all rubbish, saving the ashes for dressing 

 the ground later on. Pea sticks should be got 

 ready for future use. Stir the soil among growing 

 crops, and keep the vegetable quarters clean and 

 tidy. 



Fruit Garden. 



The pruning of all trees and bushes ought to be 

 completed as soon as possible. Peach and Nec- 

 tarines trees on walls should now be tied up into 

 position before the buds get too far forward ; avoid 

 overcrowding. In this district some of the fruit 

 trees are showing signs of activity, even at this 

 early date (January 14th), and it will be advisable 

 to get all spraying done as soon as possible ; owing 

 to the wet and stormy weather during the past 

 month this has not been practicable, there- 

 fore, lose no opportunity of getting this work 

 completed. If for any reason intended planting 

 has not been done, make every effort to have 

 such work completed if the soil is iv n Jit state. 

 Planting can, of course, be successfully cairied on 

 up to the end of March, but the sooner trees are 

 in the better. 



Continue with the tying up of wall trees on 

 suitable days. It is a cold operation, and ought 

 to be done in the warmest part of the day, as 

 other work of a warmer nature can be found when 



