IRISH GARDENING 



I2c; 



The Month's Work. 



Midland and Northern Counties. 



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



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



Co. Kildare. 



The Kitchen G.\rden. 



Asparagus Bkds. — Keep the Asparagus l)eds fre- 

 quently liand-weeded, and the growth supported. 

 After heavy showers give good soakings of dihited 

 manure water, and a slight dressing of artificial 

 manure will greatly assist the crowns for next 

 season's crop. 



French Beans. — If one has a few frames to spare, 

 a good crop of late French Beans may be ol)tained 

 l)y sowing early in the montli. Keep the lights off 

 till the nights get too cold for healthy growth; pro- 

 tection must be given from North and East winds. 



Runner Beans. — Give Runner Beans plenty of 

 manurial assistance and heavy syringings during 

 hot, dry weather. Should there be more Beans than 

 can be used fresh, piek all good, tieshy Beans for 

 piekling in salt. They will prove most useful 

 during the winter months, and especially so now 

 that fuel is so scarce and expensive, making it out 

 of all question to force French varieties. 



Carrots. — Late-sown Carrots will now require 

 careful thinning. Dust them with soot and run the 

 Dutch hoe between the rows. They must be en- 

 couraged to make their growth quickly at this 

 season. 



CfiLERY. — Celery will now be making rapid 

 growth, and the early autiunn supplies will require 

 earthing up. Before starting make certain that the 

 soil in which they are planted is quite moist; if at 

 all dry, give a thorough soaking the day before. 

 Go over the rows and i^ick off all deformed leaves 

 and sn.iall growth at the liase of the plants. Tie 

 a piece of raffia round each plant sufficiently tight 

 to hold the leaves in position. Where it is in- 

 tended to use brown paper, choose strips about foiu- 

 inches deep, and place a little fine soil at the base 

 to hold it in position. Where the ordinary soil is 

 used it is best to have three men, one on each side 

 of the row, breaking down the soil, and the third, 

 moving backwards, placing the soil carefully 

 round each plant. Do not attempt to place too 

 much soil up to the plants, but rather keep it low, 

 and certainly never allow it near the centre of the 

 plants. Endeavour to make a neat and smart 

 finish to all the trenches, and still continue to dust 

 with soot every fortnight, and see that the plants 

 never suffer from drought. If the Celery fly 

 attacks the crop pick off and burn all the infested 

 parts. 



Chicory. — Thin the latest sowings of Chicory to 

 about 10 inches in the rows and keep the crop clean 

 from weeds. Grow this crop strongly in order to 

 obtain large crowns for winter forcing. 



Cauliflower. — In cold districts a sowing of 

 Cauliflower, Early Market and Magnum Bonum, 

 should be made after the 21st of this month, not 

 before, or most likely the plants will become too 

 large and button. This will form the first of next 

 season's crop. Choose a sheltered border, and 

 make the ground quite firm before drawing the 

 drills nine inches to a foot apart. Aim at getting 

 stout, sturdy plants. As soon as the seedlings 

 become large enough, prick them out firmly into 



cold pits. If one has the time it is a wise plan 

 to pot off a good hatch into four-inch pots and 

 stand them in cold frames with the lights off on 

 every possible occasion. A large numljer of growers 

 rely on January-raised stock, but there is no com- 

 parison with the results. 



CoLEWORTS.— Draw a little soil up to the stems of 

 the Coleworts and keep the ground clean from 

 weeds. If it is desired to hasten the crop, give a 

 slight dressing of nitrate of soda in warm weather. 



Cardoons. — As these plants become fit for earth- 

 ing-up place a good, stout stake to each plant, 

 draw the leaves up close together, and twist a 

 strong hay-band around each stem, and pack the 

 soil tightly up to the band. 



Spring Cabbage. — Make another sowing of Flower 

 of Spring early in the month to form plants for the 

 main beds after the south borders are planted. Net 

 the seed beds to keep away the birds; use plenty 

 of well-decayed manure in preparing the borders 

 and main Cabbage beds, as it is almost impossible 

 to produce good heads on poor, starved ground. 

 Some of the samples seen in the greengrocers this 

 spring were very poor specimens indeed, and re- 

 quired another month on the ground at least. Keep 

 the hoe busy between the rows in the seed beds, 

 keeping down every w^eed, and if the ground should 

 be very dry give the young seedlings every en- 

 couragement to grow. 



Potatoes. — As the second earlies become fit for 

 lifting, it is advisable to raise the crops at the 

 earliest moment. In fact, I think all Potatoes are 

 better out of the ground once they are ripe. Lift 

 them carefully, and allow them to lay on the 

 ground for a few hours before placing them in the 

 potato shed. Have the trays at hand and pick 

 out all seed, selecting good, medium tubers. A 

 little fresh lime dusted betrween the tubers will help 

 to keep them dry and in good condition. Make sure 

 that every potato is sound. Where a few extra good 

 tubers are required for exhibition purposes, select 

 the best and most even-shaped, with shallow eyes, 

 and place them in fine soil till required. Burn 

 away every bit of haulm at once, leave none on the 

 ground. Where Brassicas have been planted 

 between the rows fork all the ground and give the 

 plants every encouragement to make good, sturdy 

 growth. 



Tom.\toes. — Pick the fruit as it begins to coloiu', 

 and place in a warm house or room; they will 

 quickly ripen. Keep all shoots picked off, and do 

 not allow the plants to suffer from want of water. 

 Where Tomatoes are required all the year round 

 make another sowing at once. Pot off into 3-inch 

 pots as the young seedlings become fit and grow 

 steadily on. Keep a sharp look out for the white 

 fly, which is becoming a serious trouble. I cannot 

 yet find a remedy. I have fumigated with nicotine 

 six nights in succession without exterminating the 

 pest. 



Vegetable Marrows.— Where the Marrows are 

 making strong growths and not setting very well, 

 thin out any weak shoots and leaves, to allow sun 

 and air to strengthen the vines; give copious 

 supplies of water during hot, dry weather. All 

 Marrows should be cut in a young state, except 

 when they are required for preserving, when they 

 should be allowed to grow to their full size and 

 carefully ripened. 



Onions. — From August 17th onwards a soAving of 

 Tripoli or Winter Onions to supply plants for 

 planting next spring may be made. Make a good 

 seed bed on a warm Iiorder for preference. Give a 

 good dressing of dry wood ashes and lime before 



