IRISH GARDENING 



155 



Allotments 



Varikties of Vegetables. — At the end of the season 

 a review can be taken of the varieties of vegetables 

 grown on tlie plot. Also during the growing season 

 nuK-h useful and interesting information is gained 

 by visiting other allotments and making a note of 

 varieties of vegetables which grow well in the dis- 

 trict. Potatoes are an instance. In some villages 

 a certain potato is grown with much success. Its 

 distril)ution appears quite local, and it may be 

 known by a name intimately associated with tlie 

 locality. If the superiority of a potato or vegetable 

 is marked it is often a profitable undertaking to 

 ask a nurseryman to give it a trial. There are 

 many instances, especially among fruit trees, of 

 local varieties of plants suddenly becoming promi- 

 nent. This country specially needs heavy cropping 

 potatoes with marked resistance or innnunity to 

 blight and wart disease. Such potatoes might be 

 found on allotments or on the village plots. 



General Work. — It is advisable to lift the whole 

 of the Potato crop without delay. There is a con- 

 siderable amount of disease among the potatoes on 

 our allotments, and the crop will suffer seriously 

 if left in the ground, especially with so much rain 

 falling. Directions for storing potatoes were given 

 in these notes last month. Peas and Broad Beans 

 are sometimes sown in sheltered gardens this 

 niontli, but on allotments seed sowing at this period 

 of the year is not reconnnended. After several 

 experiments we have given it up as unsatisfactory. 

 When the soil is fairly dry, complete the eartliing 

 of Celery. Many allotments have now a desolate 

 appearance, and a good deal can be done in the 

 way of giving the jjlace a good cleaning up and 

 digging over the groiuid. If the young Cabl)ages 

 liave not already l)een planted out, this should now 

 be done to give them an opportunity of becoming 

 well rooted before the winter. Cauliflowers sowi'i 

 in the autumn should be lifted and planted in 

 frames or in a sheltered spot. 



Club-root and Lime. — In the autumn it can be 

 seen where club-root is present on the plot, and as 

 lime is the best j)reventive for this disease that 

 part of the plot should be dressed, even if lime is 

 not applied to the whole. If quicklime is obtained 

 it should be allowed to slake, so that it is in as fine 

 a powder as possible for distril)ution. A good 



dressnig for the average plot is about 4 cwt. Even 

 if club-root is not present it pays to apply lime on 

 an allotment. At the same time, diseased Turnips 

 and Cabbages should be burned or buried deeply. 

 The autumn is the best time of the year to apply 

 gas lime. This substance contains a good deal of 

 poisonous matter, harmful to growing crops, 

 especially if applied in quantity; therefore, if it is 

 applied now on vacant land, no harm but actual 

 benefit will result from it being allowed to lie 

 during the winter months. Jiinie should not ))e 

 mixed with farmyard manure. If the lime is 

 applied on the surface it soon becomes washed 

 down into the soil. 



Storing Vegetables.— I^nhappily the area of the 

 average allotment is too small to provide space for 

 growing vegetables in quantity, and unfortunately 

 tliere is not a great de.d to be stored after the needs 

 of a family have been supplied dm'ing the season, 

 so nnich of tlie ground has to be devoted to growing 

 l)otatoes. However, what root crops there are 

 should be preserved as long as possible. 



P.\RSNips.— This crop is quite hardy, and keeps 

 best in the ground, when the roots can be dug as 

 required. In some districts the roots are lifted. i)ut 

 the ground is not often frost-bound in this country 

 long enough to interfere with lifting. In fact, some 

 persons agree that the flavour of Parsnips is im- 

 proved after frosty weather. 



Beet. — If Parsnips are improved by frosty 

 weather, it can be said at once that Beet is practi- 

 cally ruined after Ijeing frozen. The crop should, 

 therefore, be. lifted carefully, so that the roots are 

 not broken. It is better to twist the to])S off than 

 to cut them. The roots can then be laid in layers, 

 with the crowns outwards and covered with "sand 

 or fine soil, sufficient to protect them from frost. 



Swede Turnips.— Swede Turnips are best lifted, 

 if there is any quantity, and covered with straw 

 and soil similar to Potatoes. If there are only a 

 few^ roots they may be left in the groiuid, as slight 

 frosts will ]iot harm them. 



Jerusalem Artichokes. — These are perfectly 

 hardy, and can safely be left in tlie ground, which 

 is generally done. These same remarks apply also 

 to Salsafy, which is becoming more grown. 



Carrots. — The crop is usually lifted about the 

 end of the month. The leaves can be cut off fairly 

 c-lose to the crown and the roots stored in dry soil 

 in a shed; or they may be left in a compact heap 

 on the plot and covered over with Ijracken or turf. 



Sprouts, &c. — The soil should be drawn up to all 

 the winter greens and the plants made firm in the 

 groiuid. 



The Flower Border. — The flower border is often 

 neglected in the way of manure, and steps should 

 l)e taken to remedy this defect. The ))ed may then 

 he filled with Wallflowers, using as an edging 

 plant Forget-me-not or Polyanthus. A few l)ult)S. 

 such as Tulips, Daffodils, and Crocuses, hel]) to 

 brighten things up a little in the spring before the 

 Wallflowers are in bloom. Plants which are not 

 hardy, such as Geraniums, Dahlias, and Begonias, 

 should be taken up. The Geraniums may be 

 potted into small pots or placed in boxes, while 

 the Dahlias will keep well in a shed protected with 

 litter or leaves. Herbaceous plants should be cut 

 down. The hardy kinds may be divided and re- 

 ])lanted, using the strong young portions which 

 will \)v found (in the outside of the clum]). 



(!. H. O. 



