i6o 



IRISH GARDENING, 



winter. Immediately tiie loaves show signs of 

 ripening, transplanting may be done, and in the 

 case of I'eaches and Nectarines whilst the leaves 

 are green, but if this is done under glass shade, 

 from bright sun for a time, and frequent syringings 

 overhead will be beneficial in any case when the 

 trees will in all probability carry a crop of fruit 

 accordingly the following spring. Avoid a free 

 use of manures, which only causes an over 

 vigorous growth at the expense of fruit. A good 

 fertile soil is sufficient with a free use of lime 

 rubble or lime, and especially where this agent is 

 lacking in the natural soil. Especially is this 

 necessary for all stone fruits. A sprinkling of 

 wood-ashes and a dusting of basic slag will also 

 prove helpful. When planting take out a hole 

 considerably larger than the tree requires to allow 

 ample space to thoroughly well firm and also to 

 work round the tree. If drainage is necessary 

 break up the bottom soil and place a good layer 

 of broken brick or other suitable material in the 

 bottom, and on this place some good turves, grass 

 downwards. If there is a tendency for the tree to 

 inake taproots place a good strong slate imme- 

 diately underneath the main stem to encourage 

 surface rooting. When lifting trees carefully 

 preserve all fibrous roots and cut away any that 

 are too gross or damaged, always cutting from 

 the under side in an upward slanting direction. 

 If the roots are cut from the upper side down- 

 wards buds will be encouraged afterwards, causing 

 considerable annoyance by sucker growths. 

 Avoid planting too deeply, rather err on the other 

 side, and allow for sinking, and keep the roots 

 as near to the surface as possible, where they will 

 obtain the benefits of the sun and air's warmth, 

 and in low-lying positions especially finish off the 

 planting by having the tree on a good movind. 

 Small quantities of soil at the time, well 

 firmed by the sole of the foot and not the heel, 

 and laying out the roots carefully, will ensure a 

 good firm growth, and finish off by flooding with 

 water, and when this has settled apply a light 

 mulch and just secure the tree lightly for a few 

 days. Small trees of Peaches and Nectarines 

 that are being grown on in reserve may be lifted 

 and replanted if their growth is too excessive, 

 after having shortened back the thickest roots. 

 In any case replanting will be an advantage, 

 as it will cause a freer formation of fibrous roots 

 and bring the tree into better condition when it 

 goes into its final position. See that wall trees 

 of the above, and especially those growing under 

 permanent copings, do not suffer for want of water. 

 At no season of the year does a Peach border 

 want to become tlioroughly dry, an evil, I think, 

 that is largely responsible for bud- dropping in 



the spring. Continue to store Apples and Pears, 

 and re})lant Raspberries and busii fruits. Avoid 

 planting tiie former too closely, and especially 

 whe*i these are transferred to good kitchen 

 garden ground. If in rows, plant five feet apart 

 and allow at least eighteen inches between each 

 plant. Gooseberries six feet between the rows 

 and four to five between each bush, and Currants 

 the same. 



The Flower Garden. 



\^ith an improvement in the weather during 

 the early part of September the formal bedding 

 wonderfully improved and made a good show. 

 Much will depend upon the weather as to how 

 long the display will last, but if it is to be followed 

 by an arrangement for the spring it should be 

 taken up this month, so as to allow of the plants 

 getting established in their new quarters before 

 bad weather sets in and the planting of bulbs not 

 delayed. Very good effects may be produced in 

 some beds, not suited for flowers, by planting 

 small shrubs of evergreen appearance, in variety, 

 such as the various Hollies, Box, Cupressus, 

 Aucubas, &c. Any Hollies that need replanting 

 should be done at once or left till spring, but all 

 deciduous and evergreens inay be dealt with this 

 month, which will allow of thein getting estab- 

 lished before winter. Remove the stock of 

 bedding Geraniums that has stood out of doors 

 into some structure where they will not easily 

 damp, and for that reason keep them as dry as 

 possible, give abundance of air, and when water 

 is required give a good soaking early and on a 

 fine drying day. 



Answers to Correspondents. 



Grapes. — The condition of the Grapes is that 

 known as " shanking," from the .stalks of the 

 berries having " shanked " or shrivelled. This 

 is generally attributed to defective conditions 

 at the roots. Probably during the con- 

 tinuous rains in August the border becaine 

 satui*ated, and consequently sour, thus affecting 

 the root action. The remedy is to examine the 

 border and correct any tendency to defective 

 drainage. If necessary remove at least some of 

 the bad soil and replace with fibry loam mixed 

 with a fair quantity of old mortar rubble. If the 

 roots are much below the surface raise as many 

 of them as possible and encourage them to remain 

 near the surface by top-dressing annually with 

 chopped fibrous loam to which may be added a 

 five-inch potful of Vine manure to each barrow 

 load. The work of draining should be attended 

 to as soon as most of the leayes haye fallen. 



