174 
[ August 28, 1850, 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
only too true. I passed thousands of acres of Potatoes that look 
as though the} had been burnt, and the effect of such wholesale 
destruction can be imagined where so much depends upon the 
crop as the staple fool of the people and the pigs. In England, 
even amongst the poorest classes, the Potato is regarded as a 
useful vegetable, but as an accessory only ; in the South of Ireland 
it is perhaps more important than bread. It has been said that 
“ The Potato is the curse of Ireland,” and there is some truth 
in the statement, for where nothing else is grown a bad season 
means a famine in its worst form. North of Belfast I observed 
comparatively little disease, though it was appearing in places, 
but from Cork to Skibbereen an old farmer assured me that there 
will be scarcely a sound tuber saved, and it is said that the mois¬ 
ture laden winds from the Atlantic spread “ the blight ” with 
astonishing rapidity. It may be asked, Is the system of cultivation 
best calculated to guard against the evil? and it must be admitted 
that it is not. In too many cases the bed system is adopted ; the 
Potatoes are planted thickly, and the dense masses of succulent 
haulm in such a climate afford a most suitable nidus for the 
fungus. Even where the rows are separate they are too near 
together with few exceptions. Then, too, although so many im¬ 
proved varieties of Potatoes have been sent to Ireland quantities 
of coarse sorts are still grown that would not be tolerated here, 
and cannot be expected to yield good results even in the best 
seasons. Before closing this Potato paragraph it must, however, 
be remarked that the Irish people know how to cook the popular 
tuber to perfection. In the hotels and restaurants of the cities, 
in farm houses, and in the cabins of the poor, the Potato is cooked 
in its “ jacket,” and turns out a delicious ball of white floury 
substance such as a Briton can fully appreciate. The only badly 
cooked Potatoes I had during the whole of my journey were 
prepared in the conventional English method. 
As to the fruit, a few words must suffice at present. Orchards 
are confined to a few districts, and in only one did I see any attempt 
to grow fruit on the market garden system, but there the results 
were satisfactory in no ordinary degree, the appearance of the 
cottages, the people, and tho whole neighbourhood indicating a 
degree of comfort that is foreign to Irish country districts. We 
found Apple trees flourishing and bearing good crops from the 
extreme north down to Cork. Small fruits also succeed, but in 
respect to the orchard trees bad cultivation, or no cultivation at all, 
is the rule. Old lichen and moss-covered trees predominate. Few 
attempts are made at planting young trees, and if that is done 
they are placed in the same situations as the others occupied, careless 
gathering of the fruits, no selection for market, nor attempts to 
prolong the season, characterise the methods adopted. Yet the 
occupiers of some orchard land were paying over £3 an acre, and 
earning a good living, while land on the same estate was let at 10s. 
down to as low as 4d. per acre. 
Reference to the chief characters of Irish gardens must conclude 
this rather long introduction, and first it must be said that Ireland 
is a beautiful country. It abounds in delightful scenery, more 
mountainous and bolder in character than is seen in England, but 
as regards most districts less rugged than the Highlands of Scot¬ 
land or the north of Wales. In the selection of sites for gardens 
full advantage has in consequence been taken of the natural attrac¬ 
tions of the country, and the majority of estates abound in de¬ 
lightful views. Then also the moist warm climate admirably 
favours the growth of trees and shrubs, with the result that we 
find magnificent specimen Conifers with other evergreen and 
deciduous trees, some of which could not be equalled out of Ireland. 
If, too, we journey south, especially to Fota, between Queenstown 
and Cork, we come to a subtropical climate, and find Palms, Tree 
Ferns, Bamboos, and countless other plants that we are accustomed 
to see grown under glass flourishing out of doors as freely and 
vigorously as they could do in their native countries. There is 
thus plenty of scope as regards the occupants of the gardens, and 
wherever an attempt has been made to effect an improvement full 
advantage has been taken of this. The charming glen at Glenst'al 
Castle is a magnificent example of what can be effected in adding 
to great natural attractions. 
Many of the larger gardens are managed upon strictly com¬ 
mercial principles, all surplus produce being sent to market, and 
it is surprising what some able gardeners accomplish in this way,, 
assisting to maintain extensive pleasure grounds in good condi¬ 
tion that would otherwise have to be neglected. One of the best 
examples that came under my notice was a comparatively small 
garden in the suburbs of one of the larger cities. It was owned 
by a wealthy retired merchant who has had a large share of this 
world’s success, mainly due, no doubt, to his own energy ancf 
perseverance, but he attributes his progress in a large measure to 
his love of horticulture. Early morning and evening exercise in 
his garden has, he says, helped greatly to maintain a naturally good 
constitution, the healthful mental rest enabling him to concentrate 
his working hours upon his business. He employs gardeners, but 
superintends the work himself, and grows flowers, fruit, and’ 
vegetables as a hobby, but with the intention of making the garden 
pay for itself as an example of what can be accomplished. He 
has ample for his family, sufficient for his friends, for the deserving 
poor and the sick, the surplus being placed in the market with 
all the judgment a practical man can exercise, and the result last - 
year was a balance of £80 after paying all expenses. It is true 
some capital has been expended in producing this result, but a, 
substantial interest has been obtained, and not only in the actual 
return, but in the satisfaction derived from setting a good ex¬ 
ample. 
Earnest collective thanks to the numerous friends who so 
kindly assisted in rendering my journey one of the most agree¬ 
able I have undertaken must conclude this letter, and I hope, 
to refer to some of them with their gardens individually on 
future occasions.— Lewis Castle. 
GROWING .AND SELLING FRUIT. 
The first consideration in growing fruit for profit is naturally 
how to make the most money out of it, so at the commencement I 
will mention a few things applicable to marketing and selling fruit 
in general, and then give some information on planting different 
kinds of fruit trees, the preparation of the soil, packing, &c., in 
order to prevent needless repetition. 
Selling. —In order to effect a ready sale for fruit of any kind 
in these days of keen competition, it is necessary to grow larger 
and more highly coloured samples than anyone else if possible ; to 
strive after quality—as this is understood in the market—more 
than for quantity, although the latter must not by any means be 
overlooked. And here let it be noted, if the fruit is to be sold 
privately, good flavour and a proper degree of ripeness will be 
great recommendations to your customers to come again ; but if you 
intend selling through an agent in the market, flavour will count 
for nothing, but size, colour, and soundness of condition are every¬ 
thing towards securing the highest price. All fruit for sale, therefore, 
should be grown as large and as highly coloured as possible, gathered 
and packed before it becomes soft and over-ripe, and should always 
be honestly graded, that is not putting all the small and deformed 
fruit at the bottom of the package and a few very fine specimens 
on the top, but keep each size separate. Next strive to have your 
fruit in the market when there is not a glut of the same kind there. 
Yery early and late samples always sell the most readily. 
Packing. —This requires great care, for no matter how good 
the sample is, if it is badly packed it may only obtain the lowest 
price in the market, and months of labour and anxiety will be lost 
in a few hours. A few general principles only will be mentioned 
now, further particulars will be found under each kind of fruit. 
Always pack as carefully for a short journey as for a long one, and 
always pack firmly—that is, none of the fruit should be able to 
move in position when fastened down. All movement means 
damage. On the other hand, no pressure must be applied to 
soft fruits. All fruits should be gathered only when perfectly 
dry, not starting to gather them when there is a heavy dew, or 
immediately after showers. Pack in small parcels to prevent 
crushing and fermentation. When gathered send to the destination 
as soon as possible ; delay means depreciation of sample. Be very 
careful that no damaged fruits are sent, as very few of these will 
