806 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
August 18, 1888. 
GardeningNotes from Ireland. 
♦ 
The Meath Flower Show. 
Like most of the flower shows held in the provincial 
towns in Ireland, this one included an exhibition of 
poultry, pigeons, cage birds, rabbits, and dogs. It 
was held on Wednesday, the 8th inst., on the race¬ 
course of Kells, about two miles outside the town, and 
fortunately for its success, it was favoured both with 
good weather and a good attendance. Considering 
that all the horticultural exhibits were brought in and 
staged by local growers only, the display may be 
regarded as highly creditable indeed to those competing; 
for although the lion’s share of the awards fell to Mr. 
McLeod, the Marquis of Headfort’s gardener, in many 
instances the classes were very well contested. Taking 
into account the many disadvantages which Roses had 
to undergo during the present season, it was wonderful 
what a good display they made at this show, those 
staged by the Marquis of Headfort and Mr. J. H. 
Nicholson, of Balrathbury, being good in form and 
substance. The classes were for twelve and six blooms, 
distinct, respectively, and the Marquis of Headfort 
was first in each case ; Mr. J. H. Nicholson second in 
the twelves ; and Mr. W. N. Waller second in the 
sixes. In Ferns, both native and exotic, the Marquis 
of Headfort and Mr. J. H. Nicholson were the chief 
competitors, being first and second in the order named. 
For a collection of stove and greenhouse plants, as well 
as others for table decoration, the Marquis of Headfort 
carried off the chief honours. 
Fruits, Vegetables, &c. 
These were very well done, and after being so large a 
prize-taker in the Grape classes as Mr. McLeod was at 
the late Royal Horticultural Society’s Show, held in 
Dublin, it was not surprising to find him first winner 
at a local exhibition for both white and black Grapes. 
The classes for other kinds of fruits, such as Peaches, 
Melons, Strawberries, Gooseberries, Raspberries, Cur¬ 
rants, &e., were well filled, the chief winners being 
Major Everard, Mr. W. N. Waller, and Mr. J. H. 
Nicholson. The latter gentleman exhibited a dish of 
splendid Tomatos, which attracted some attention 
owing to their size, colour, and the remarkable fresh¬ 
ness of their appearance. 
Collections of vegetables of not less than nine sorts 
were shown in good style, their fitness for table use 
being one of the points taken into consideration by 
the judges. In this class the Marquis of Headfort was 
first with a remarkably good collection, Mr. W. P. 
Radclifle, Hurdleston, being second, and Mr. J. A. 
Farrell, D. L., Moynalty, third. 
For groups of cut flowers special prizes were offered, 
and here again the Marquis of Headfort was first, Mr. 
Farrell. Moynalty, being second. Associated with 
these was a goodly assortment of cut flowers for table 
and drawing-room decoration, as well as hand and 
button-hole bouquets. As exhibitors of the la tter were 
obliged to stage four bouquets eich, the quantity and 
variety put up was very pleasing indeed. The com¬ 
petition throughout was spirited and close, and I am 
glad to think the impetus so admirably given this year 
is likely to give rise to better things in the future. 
Vegetable Growing at the South Dublin 
Union. 
For the good growth of roots and other vegetables 
commend me to some of our public institutions where 
such work is carried on. In extent of land devoted 
to this business and for variety in cropping, I believe 
the management of the grounds of the South Dublin 
Union occupies a very forward position. Before I 
notice the various crops grown I may mention that 
these grounds, on which the many splendid buildings 
in connection with the administration of the Poor Law 
are erected, are situated behind one of the busiest 
thoroughfares of the city, and therefore, to a certain 
extent, the cultivation of vegetables can hardly be said 
to be carried on under wholly favourable circumstances. 
However this may be, I can only say that even under 
the best conditions for vegetable cultivation, and when 
we consider the quantities grown here, it would be no 
easy matter to find, at the present time, a lot of vege¬ 
tables equal in growth to what I saw here. It is 
worthy of remark, and may be taken as a proof of the 
excellent management and thoroughly practical atten¬ 
tion given by Mr. Wright, who is the very able 
superintendent in this department, that even in a year 
like the present, when the growth of weeds has been so 
difficult to deal with, not one, large or small, was to be 
seen in any of the growing crops, and few indeed in 
that part of the land awaiting cropping. 
Onions. 
These are grown in large quantities, the demand for 
them being on an extensive scale. Part of the crop 
was sown in drills on the flat, and another portion on 
raised beds. Those on the latter appeared to be 
“ balling ” much quicker than those on the former, 
which was possibly caused by the facility with which 
an over supply of moisture was got rid of as compared 
with flat-lying ground. There were thirteen varieties 
growing, among them being some of the best old sorts, 
such as Strasburgh, James’ Keeping, and Nuneham 
Park, some of the newer kinds being Zittau, Trebons, 
Cranston’s Excelsior, and Oxonian Prize. But no 
matter what the variety grown, the whole crop was a 
heavy one, and supposing the remainder of the season 
to be fairly good, the return will be a most valuable 
one. 
Celery. 
As in the case of Onions, Celery is required in great 
quantities for soup-making purposes, and hence I find 
special attention given to its cultivation. A great 
deal is thought of the American variety, Henderson’s 
White Plume. Mr. Wright, who has grown it for the 
past few years, is very pleased with it. He has been 
fortunate enough to get it true to name, which is more 
than many Celery growers can boast of. Three other 
kinds are grown—viz., Wright’s Grove Red, Wright’s 
Grove White, and Laing’s Mammoth White. All the 
spaces between the lines of Celery are fully cropped 
with 
York Cabbages, 
Which will be fit to remove in time for “ landing” or 
earthing up. York Cabbages were in all stages of 
growth, from those only just transplanted to 
those fit for immediate cutting. The kinds mainly 
grown were Meins No. 1 for early use, Cattell’s 
Reliance, Enfield Market and Nonpareil Yorks. This 
perhaps would be the place to refer to the enormous size 
to which Flat Dutch Cabbages are grown here, and to 
explain how this is done, and how by the use of this 
crop the land is prepared for the production of all sorts 
of root crops. To do this I must go back a few years 
or it may be more, when the guardians of this union 
found it a matter of some difficulty to deal effectively, 
without incurring great expense, with the constantly 
accumulating refuse from so large an establishment. 
At that time a considerable portion of the land, 
although fairly good, was of little value, owing to its 
low-lying position, being very little over the level of 
an adjacent canal, and possessing a soil of a holding or 
very retentive nature. It was resolved to raise this 
ground with the refuse from the house, which consisted 
of coal ashes, sweepings and closet refuse. The first 
mode of proceeding was to throw out a certain con¬ 
venient breadth and length of trench to the depth of 
3 ft., reserving the soil so treated for putting on the 
top when the filling was completed. The first crop 
taken after this was Fiat Dutch, and it always proved 
a heavy one. The one year’s manuring and working 
of the soil made it sufficiently free to grow' all classes 
of roots, but was especially favourable to the production 
of deep-rooted, large, and perfectly sound Parsnips and 
Carrots. Looking at such work from a sanitary stand¬ 
point I think the guardians may well be congratulated 
upon converting what must have been an unhealthy spot, 
doubly so in a crowded locality, into land capable of 
carrying off all its surface water. As to its productive 
powers I need not say anything ; it will be sufficient 
to mention that part of this land which I saw in course 
of preparation two years ago, is now covered with crops 
of roots of great promise. These consist of Aberdeen 
and White Globe Turnips, and of Swedes there are 
seven or eight varieties growm, among these latter 
being one known as the White Swede, and which has 
been proved to keep sound and sweet for use, when 
other sorts have gone spongy or rotten. Our garden¬ 
ing friends ought to consider this peculiarity, as no 
doubt many of them would find sound Swedes in April 
and May a good addition to their otherwise scant 
supply of vegetables. 
Finer Vegetables. 
Some of the foregoing may be classed under the 
comprehensive title of “ coarse vegetables,” which is a 
term 1 used to hear an old gentleman applying to 
them. But the cultivation of these does not by any 
means exclude what may be regarded as the finer 
vegetables. These include Cauliflowers, Broccoli, 
Brussels Sprouts, and Jerusalem Artichokes, all show¬ 
ing, so far, unusual vigour. About four or five varieties 
of Broccoli are grown, and these are found sufficient to 
keep up the supply as required. For present use 
Yeitch’s Autumn Giant is well forward, and this will 
be succeeded by Penzance, Osborn, and Tait’s Dublin 
Prize, the latter said to be a very late, large and hardy 
Broccoli. In the way of Cauliflowers, one known as 
Eclipse is a great favourite for summer and autumn 
use, and is found to keep the supply going after Early 
London is done with. Brussels Sprouts are grown in 
three kinds, the Albert being far ahead of the others, 
and already forming sprouts. 
Mangels. 
Although these, strictly considered, do not come 
under the head of vegetables, it would not be right to 
leave them unnoticed. As large numbers of pigs are 
profitably fed on the waste of the house, a large breadth 
of Mangels are grown to supplement this. In size of 
root and luxuriance of foliage the crop was first class, 
and I may add that, w’ith the exception of the White 
Swede, which was not sown until the end of May, both 
Turnips and Mangels were all sown by the end of the 
first week in April. 
Potatos- 
The extent of land under Putatos is not large, con¬ 
sidering the vast quantity required for so many people, 
but this, no doubt, arises from the ready way in which 
a supply of tubers can be had at any time, as compared 
with the difficulty of buying in any other vegetables. 
Very valuable comparisons, however, can be made 
regarding the table and productive qualities of Potatos 
grown here, as I found there are no less than twenty- 
five varieties under cultivation. Some of these are 
comparatively new kinds, and at a future time 
I may be able to have something to say as to the 
merits of some of them. At present, however, it 
may be useful to draw attention to a Potato known 
as The Don. There is about half an Irish acre planted 
with this variety, and as I am aware that it is being 
eagerly sought after by farmers who grow Potatos for 
early marketing, it may also prove worthy the attention 
of gardeners who have to look out for good early kinds. 
The Don is a Regent, apparently medium between 
the Prince Regent and Scotch Regent, and from what 
I saw of it, must be a heavy cropper. It is said to be 
of fine quality as an eating Potato, and does not show 
any tendency as yet to disease. If all the twenty-five 
kinds of Potatos which Mr. Wright has growing at the 
present time were to be put on an exhibition table 
by-and-bye, we should have a collection to rival the 
bygone honours awarded by the now defunct Royal 
Agricultural Society of Ireland. In fact, this observa¬ 
tion applies with equal force to all the vegetables grown 
here, for the aim appears to be not only to produce 
them in quantity, but also of a class which, if sent in 
for competition, would be certain to win for Mr. 
Wright—-well, not profit, but at least well-deserved 
honour. After all, it may be said, “ What is this but 
market gardening ?” Well, just so, I say ; but it is 
market gardening of the right' sort, and of a kind we 
very seldom see practised. If it were the go-as-you- 
please, slovenly sort of market gardening to be usually 
met with about Dublin, I should not have attempted 
to notice it ; but I have done so because I thought 
market gardeners—aye, and some private gardeners as 
well—might learn what could be accomplished by 
thought, in formulating a systematic course of rotation 
cropping, and when once formed, in carrying it out by 
vigilant and persevering action. — TV. D. 
-->£-<-- 
TOMATOS AT CHISWICK. 
Apart from the trial of different sorts, the old span- 
roofed Peach house, but lately occupied with New 
Zealand Ferns, is now a magnificent sight, and well 
woTth seeing. It contains only seven of those kinds 
that have been tried and their good points proved. A 
border runs round both sides and across the ends of 
the house, while two large beds occupy the centre. 
There are 468 plants in the house, and the two central 
beds are planted with Perfection, of which there are 
260 plants. They vary from 6 ft. to 7 ft. in height, 
and with one or two exceptions have grown very 
regularly throughout the house, and are heavily 
cropped from the ground upwards. The recent 
weather has not, however, been very propitious to a 
good set on the younger growth. Ham Green 
Favourite, certificated last year, but not yet in com¬ 
merce, is a more prolific bearer than Perfection, with a 
deeper fruit, and dark red flesh, while that of Per¬ 
fection has a frosted or silvery red appearance about it. 
Laxton’s Open Air is much dwarfer in habit, and 
the fruit is also smaller, being sometimes under¬ 
sized, and rather deeply corrugated or ribbed 
at the base. Horsfield’s Prelude and Early Scarlet 
Tennis Ball are both very distinct and most 
abundant bearers, with medium-sized fruits, and 
