58 



IRISH GARDENING 



Jin ,^ 



Allotments. 



In some parts of the kingdom ailotment holders 

 have been receiving notices terminating their 

 tfnancy of the land they occupy. In many cases, 

 also, intimation has been given that the land 

 devoted to plots in public parks nuist also be 

 restored at the end of this year. The counnittees 

 who have control of public parks feel that, as the 

 land was originally intended for purposes of re- 

 creation, it should be devoted to football and 

 cricket fields. Vacant land in towns is also 

 urgently required for housing purposes. Generally, 

 liowever, very few allotment holders have as yet 

 l)een evicted; nnich of this is, of course, due to 

 the delay in building. In some cases a new site 

 has been foiuid for cillotnients, as, apparently, men 

 who have had an allotment are under no inclina- 

 tion to be again without one. 



Seed Sowing. — The month of April is i)r()bably 

 the most important from an allotment holder's 

 ])oint of view. Leeks and Parsnips should have 

 ah-eady been sown, but it is not too late to get 

 good results if the sowing is taken in hand at 

 once. Most vegetable seeds are now sown. The 

 chief kinds, which are left until the following 

 month, include the maincrop of Beans — both the 

 Scarlet Runner and the French Beans; also the 

 maincrop varieties of the garden — Swede and 

 Beet— are left until May. With these latter ex- 

 ceptions, seed sowing becomes general. The 

 weather plays an important part in the operations 

 connected with the land, and if the soil is un- 

 suitable, delay sowing until the conditions are 

 favourable. The plot should have constant atten- 

 tion, and usually it will be found that, even under 

 adverse conditions, a favourable opportunity will 

 I'resent itself, and the work can be proceeded 

 with. 



Potatoes. — The planting of the Potato crop re- 

 (|uires attention during this month. It was not 

 ])<)ssibh' to get many Potatoes planted during 

 March in the north, and even on light soils the 

 uncertainty of the weather was against extensive 

 planting. If the early Potatoes have not already 

 licen planted, they should be dealt with first, 

 following on with the second early and maincrop 

 varieties. If the supply of manure is small, as 

 much as possible should be given to the Potatoes. 



Cabbages. — Cabbages planted out in the autumn 

 should be encouraged into rapid growth. Hoeing 

 l)etween the rows will be found Ijeneficial, and an 

 a])plication of nitrate of soda will act as a stimu- 

 liuit. Apply about a teaspoonfid around each 

 ])lant, and then, as growth proceeds, draw a little 

 soil to the rows. 



Carrots. — Owing to the ravages of the Carrot 

 Fly, this crop is often unsatisfactory on allot- 



ments. Wlu're the lly is troublesome, it is V)est to 

 avoid thinning imtil it is seen what damage is 

 (|i>uc. rnfortunately, however, sometimes a chnin 

 sweep is made with a good jjortion of the row. 

 hake the surface soil level, and draw drills about 

 !'_' inches apart, sowing the seed evenly. After 

 sowing, give the bed a dressinij of soot. 



Caulii'LOWErs — Plants which wci r sdwn in autumn 

 ;uid come safely tlirt)Ugh ihc winter in slii'ltcred 

 gartlcns, also those which havi' been wintered in 

 the frames, should he planted out at the Ijeginning 

 of the month. About 2 feet apart each way will 

 suit file variety Early Jjondon. Seeds should also 

 be sown of that useful variety, Veitch's Autunm 

 Giant, to follow Early London. 



Broccoli. — Allotments in towns have not an 

 ideal atmosphere for growing vegetables, and 

 Broccoli, which comes to maturity in the winter, 

 suffers, especially with deposit on the heads. A 

 useful variety to grow, however, is Snow's Winter 

 White, and encouragement is given to grow tins 

 class of vegetable owing to the very high cost 

 where they have to be purchased in the winter. 

 Seeds are sown in April, and the plants trans- 

 planted into small l)eds closely together. The 

 Broccoli can be planted out after early Potatoes 

 without further manuring. 



Salad Crops. — Small quantities of seed can be 

 sown about every fortnight of Lettuce and Radish. 

 A little forethought will show how vacant groiuid 

 can be utilised, also groiaid ])etween growing 

 crops, without reserving ground specially for 

 Salads. The same idea can be adopted, and seeds 

 of Early White Tvuiiips sown. 



Onion Mildew. — W'here this disease is prevalent, 

 spray the plants with liver of sulphur, using one 

 ounce to five gallons of water. No advantage is 

 gained by nud<ing a stronger mixture — in fact, the 

 foliage may be burned unless the leaves are hard. 

 It should be imderstood sprays for fmigus attacks 

 are preventive in their nature. If the small, wliite 

 patches of mildew are observed on the leaves 

 before spraying, the fungicide will check the 

 disease. 



Peas. — Sowings can be made for succession. In 

 the case of the tall varieties, they form a useful 

 crop to relieve the appearance of the i)lot where 

 stakes can be supplied. Avoid placing Iheni near 

 another tall growing crop, as the intervening space 

 is then more or less shaded. Tlie area of a plot 

 lieing small, the tall-growing crops require to be 

 suital)ly distributed. 



Flower Bordkr. — Wliile we ])refer perennial 

 ])lants for the flower border on the allotment, the 

 lieauty of Annuals is not forgotten. The chief 

 drawback to Annuals on the plot is that they 

 require sowing each year. Where there are 

 vacant spaces. Annuals should be sown. The 

 most useful kinds, which will give a display, and 

 are useful for cutting, would include Clarkia, 

 Godetia, Candytuft, Cornflower, and Mignonette. 

 The seeds should be sown where the plants are 

 to remain, so that transplanting will not be neces- 

 sary. To repeat again advice often quoted — do 

 not sow the seeds either too thickly or too deep; 

 s(>cure a fine surface tilth, and rake the seeds in 

 lightly. As soon as the seedlings can be handled, 

 give a slight thinning out, repeating the operation 

 later. Sweet Peas can still ))e sown. These 

 flowers are admirably adapted for sowing in small 

 clumps and growing up beech stakes. Sweet Peas 

 should be staked before the plants are 4 inches 

 in height. Small, twiggy growths shoidd be pro- 

 vided if the main stakes lack support at the base. 



