i6o 



IRISH GARDENING. 



A Model Exhibit for Amateurs. 



THE accompanying' illustration showh a collection 

 of vegetables and flowers grown in a county 

 horticultural demonstration plot in County Ros- 

 common, and worked under the Roscommon County 

 Committee's Horticultural Scheme. The collection was 

 exhibited by Mrs. Flyiin, of Ballygalda, at the Midland 

 Counties Horticultural Associations Show held in 

 Athlone on the 2otli of August last. 



This plot, which only contains 36 perches (statute 

 measure), was established in March, 1907, at which 

 time it was nothing short of a wilderness, is now turned 

 into a neat, well-kept g-arden, in which is gfrown about 

 20 kinds of vegetables in about 38 varieties, also a 

 quantity of flowers (chiefly sweet peas) and fruit, in- 

 cluding- apples, pears, plums, strawberries, raspberries, 

 gfooseberries, and currants. 



The vegetables sold out of this g^arden the first season 

 lealised ;£,6 los , and the quantity utilised at home were 

 valued at £,-] los. This equals ^14 made out of a piece 

 of ground which was ten months befoi^e practically 



were the crowds which were drawn to it. The judgfe 

 was simply in ecstasies with it, and said he never saw 

 such a praiseworthy piece of work in his life." 



—Ed. I. G ] 



Transplanting Shrubs — The present month is per- 

 haps the best in the year to transplant shrubs. This is 

 largely due to the fact that owing to the atmospheric 

 condition of the time, the loss of water by transpiration 

 is so very much reduced, and the soil being still warm 

 and the shrubs still active, there is time while the 

 conditions are favourable for the formation c>f new roots 

 before the seasonal period of rest sets in. If convenient, 

 therefore, all intended shrub planting should be done 

 forthwith. Care should be taken to injure the roots as 

 little as possible in transplanting. In replanting- make 

 the hole wide enough to accommodate the roots when 

 full}' extended, laterally— straighten out the roots and 

 cover them with fine earth, taking pains to keep the root 

 branches springing from different levels, separated by 

 layers of this fine earth. F"irm down the earth moder- 

 atel\' and water it thoroughly. When the planting is 



Photo hy 



[W. V. Hiniinoiif, Al/iloni\ 



Athlone Show. 



Prize E.xhibk staged by Mrs. Flynn of Ballygalda. 



waste. The cost of labour was practically nil, as the 

 work was carried out in the evenings, after other farm 

 work had been done, by her own son. 



The collection here illustrated was awarded first prize 

 and a special, and was stated by the judg-es to be the 

 best exhibit ever staged in Athlone since the establish- 

 ment of the association six years ago. The photograph 

 was taken by Mr. Simmons, Athlone. 



E. H. Bowers, Horticultural Instructor. 



[It may be interesting to add, in addition to the above 

 note by Mr. Bowers, that The Wesfmenfh Independent^ 

 in its report of the show, said that " it was admitted by 

 judges that in no show in Ireland had its like yet been 

 seen," and further that "there was a fascination in its 

 arrangement which compelled one to stand and gaze 

 and wish he had the ability and the power to do the 

 same. During part of the day it was impossible to get 

 a look in at this little wonder, so many and so great 



done cover with a mulch of well-rotted, farm-yard 

 manure, as this will check evaporation and tend to con- 

 serve the soil warmth. Until the roots have time to 

 grip the soil in their new surrounding it will be helpful 

 to stake the plants in the event of strong winds. 



The Piltown Fruit Growers' Association hold a two- 

 day fruit show in the Town Hall, Waterford, on the 6th 

 and 7th of the present month. The object of the asso- 

 ciation is stated to be " to bring Irish-grown fruit 

 before the public." Most of the classes are open to all 

 Ireland. Mr. J. Dearnaley, of Piltown, is the hon. 

 secretary. 



The Annual Chrysanthemum Show of the Ulster 

 Horticultural Society will be held in Belfast on the 

 loth and nth November next. The Prize Schedule is 

 now in circulation, and may be obtained from the 

 secretary, Mr. J. MacBride, i Adelaide Street, Belfast. 



