44 



IRISH GARDENING 



Midland and Northern Counties. 



By Mr. F. Stheeteh, Gardener to B. H. Barton, 



Esq., D.L., Straffan House, Straffan, 



Co. Kildare. 



The Kitchen Garden. 



AsPAR.\GUS.— This vegetable in some districts 

 requires considerable time and attention to ol)tain 

 the best results. Where new beds are to be planted 

 tliis season the present month is the best time, 

 ])roviding the soil, &c., can be got into good con- 

 dition. Select an open site, well drained, trenched, 

 and heavily manured. Should the ground be very 

 heavy, leaf soil, sand, and road grit should be 

 freely incorporated with the soil. Mark out the 

 ])osition of the beds 4 feet wide, and an alley of 

 2 feet l)etween each bed. Place a neat, short post 

 at each corner for future guidance. When ready 

 for planting open the trenches 1 foot apart, 9 inche» 

 wide, and 4 inches deep. Carefully spread out the 

 roots 1 foot apart and cover with fine soil, raising 

 the soil a few inches above the ordinary level. 

 Choose a dull day for planting. Seeds for next 

 season's planting may now be sown. Fill the re- 

 q\iired number of small pots with a sandy compost, 

 and place two seeds in each, removing the weakest 

 when well up. Plunge the pots in a bed of ashes. 

 The roots are much better for planting than when 

 sown in tlie open gromid. Do not attempt to cut 

 any heads the first two seasons. 



Cauliflower. — Plants that have been wintered in 

 frames should have the lights left off on every 

 possible occasion, night and day. Towards the end 

 of the month Early liOndon may be planted in their 

 permanent quarters. Select a x^iece of very rich 

 ground; fork over before planting, and give a good 

 dressing of soot. Allow plenty of room according 

 to varieties. Early I^ondon about 2 feet each way. 

 Early Market 18 inches. After planting, carefully 

 \\atc4i the plants for water and slugs. A ring of 

 finely-sifted cinders placed around the collar of the 

 plants is a good preventative. Give the beds a 

 thorough hoeing as often as possible. Continue to 

 prick out seedlings as they become fit. Make 

 another sowing of Walcheren and Autiuun Giant, 

 also a box of Michaelmas White Broccoli. 



Carrots. — Make the main sowing of Carrots as 

 soon as weather and soil ])ermits. Give a thorough 

 dressing of soot and dry wood ashes. Throw out a 

 small alley on each side of the ])ed. Fork over and 

 break all lumps. Then give the whole surface 

 several rakings until you liave a fine tilth. Then 

 draw shallow drills, 12 inches apart, and sow thinly 

 and evenly. Where carrots are difficult to produce, 

 as on very heavy soil, and where the Carrot fly is 

 troublesome, boring should be practised. Bore the 



holes 18 iiu-hes deep, 12 inches apait. and 15 inches 

 between the rows. Fill in with finely-sifted sandy 

 soil. Make firm with a bamboo. Sow several seeds 

 at each station, and cover with a similar compost. 

 When well up thin down to the plant nearest the 

 centre of the hole. Dust the plants in showery 

 weather with soot, and use the dutch hoe as often 

 as possible. Sow a stump-rooted variety on a 

 warm border, then follow those in the frames. 

 Ijook over those in store, removing any decayed 

 and all green growths. 



Cucumbers. — Sow in small pots singly, enough 

 to supply plants for the frames. At the same time 

 thoroughly prepare good hot beds, 3 parts leaves 

 and 2 parts long litter. Shake well out and mix 

 well together, then turn three or four times. Wlien 

 filling the frames tread very firm and place a 

 compost of loam and well-decayed manure along 

 the centre of each light. Plant out the yoinig jjlants 

 as soon as they have filled a 6-inch pot with roots. 

 Shade from strong sunshine. Never allow the 

 plants to become dry at the root. Lightly spray 

 the whole surface of the bed with tepid water. 

 Keep a close temperature, and cover the lights at 

 night with mats. 



Marrows. — These are most highly esteemed 

 during the early summer. Seeds should be sown 

 singly in small pots and raised in a warm house. 

 When well rooted i)ot on into 6-inch pots. Grow 

 close to the glass, away from draughts. Plant out 

 into pits and frames when ready. A good stock of 

 Moore's Cream and Pen. y byd are first-rate 

 varieties for this purpose. 



Celery. — Make the main sowing and keep the 

 plants growing steadily on, pricking out into boxes 

 or frames with a hard bottom as soon as they can 

 be conveniently handled. 



Turnips. — Sow Early White Milan Turnip or 

 Snowl)all on a warm south border between the rowo 

 of Early Peas. 



Spinach.— Eittle trouble will be experienced now 

 in producing plenty of good leaves. Sow foil 

 nightly, enough to meet the demand throughout 

 the season. 



Beet. — A few rows of Crimson Ball may ))e sown 

 on warm i)orders. 



Brussels Sprouts. — Make the main sowing in 

 boxes, raising in a cold frame. 



Leeks. — Sow the main crop in a frame, planting 

 out as they become ready. 



Seakale. — Plant the prepared thongs on a piece 

 of good ground, 1 foot between the plants and 18 

 inches in the rows. Slightly cover the crown, and 

 place a ring of cinders over the crown to prevent 

 injury by slugs. Continue to place sufficient crowns 

 in the forcing-house to meet the demands. 



Rhup.arb. — Fresh ])lantings may now be made 

 Plant the single crowns on well-trenched groinid. 

 4 feet apart and 5 feet from row to row, Do not 



