48 



IRISH GARDENING 



YouiiK trees of iiyraiuidal habit, however care- 

 fully pruned to outer buds, are apt[to grow abuost 

 fastigiate. This can often be corrected whilst the 

 wood is young by employing forked struts and 

 tying them into position on the nuiin stems. 

 But these must be examined occasionally as tlie 

 wood swells rapidly. Black Currant bushes that 

 have become unduly large and weak may be 

 rejuvenated by cutting them back hard to the 

 base, when strong young shoots will come away. 

 Avoid overcrowding, and especially in the centre 

 of the trees, by removing the old growths — the 

 only pruning necessary for these. Cuttings of 

 White and Bed (Hirrants and Gooseberries that 

 have been saved for forming young bushes should 

 have the lower l)uds removed before planting, 

 but those on Black Currants may be left. Cut 

 down newly planted Raspberries to the ground - 

 level or nearly so. Figs should have the oldest 

 wood removed in thinning out the growth. 

 These often make too much growth at the expense 

 of fruit through tlie roots having an unlimited 

 run. 



The Flower Garden. 



Lawns, and especially those adjacent to walks 

 and drives, should be thoroughly well swept and 

 rolled before the mowing season comes upon us. 

 Where moss is prevalent the sward may be con- 

 siderably improved by first of all cutting as low 

 as possible with a scythe, almost into the ground 

 as it were, and then thoroughly well raking with 

 a sharp iron-toothed rake, or on large stretches 

 by harrowing, and if a dusting of soot or sulphate 

 of ammonia be given afterwards in showery 

 weather an improved appearance will soon be 

 apparent. Any turf requiring relaying should be 

 completed as soon as possible and uneven surfaces 

 on lawns relayed if time permits. Attend to the 

 edging of grass-edged garden walks. Beplant 

 perennial Asters or Michaelmas Daisies in well 

 prepared ground, and give plenty of room for 

 staking out the growth. Plant Pentstemons, and 

 if not already done pinch out the point after they 

 get over the shift. This delays fiowermg, but 

 ensures a greater display later. 



The Rose Garden proper will need attention 

 this month with regard to pruning. First cut 

 out all dead and useless wood and cut hard back 

 any weak growths, and cut back the remaining 

 growths to five or six eyes, but leaving the fore- 

 most bud to improve the symmetry of the bush. 

 For exhibition blooms harder pruning must be 

 resorted to. Clear away all prunings and fork 

 over the beds after dressing with manure. If 

 carpeting plants, such as Violas, are used, these 

 should not be allowed to grow up into the growth 

 of the Roses. Nepeta Mussinii makes a good 

 plant for growing at the base of Standards and 

 half-standards, but grows too wild for beds of 

 dwarfs. The single and double Gyi'sophila also 

 is fine for the same purpose. For beds of Roses 

 Mignonette is hard to beat. 



Goatsrue. 



Notes on some New Primulas. 



In a recent article in January, on the above the 

 names Primula conspersa and P. Loczii (page 9) 

 fcjhould be transposed. 



The Noxious Weeds Act, which has been in force 

 for more than sixteen years in New Zealand, 

 makes the destruction of certain plaiits obligatory. 

 Some of these are regarded as noxious through- 

 out New Zealand, others only in certain 

 districts, according to a declaration by the local 

 authorities. 



The goatsrue (Galega officinalis) has also just 

 been included in this latter category. 



This species of Leguminosae, cultivated in 

 gardens in several parts of New Zealand, has only 

 become wild on the banks and in the old alluvial 

 soil of the rivers Manawatu and Pohangina. It 

 spreads rapidly along roads paved with the gravel 

 of these rivers. As usually, Galega is not eaten 

 in sufficient quantities by animals to prevent it 

 flowering, it spreads rapidly wherever it takes 

 hold, unless the soil is covered with a thick coating 

 of grass. In New Zealand, the Galega often 

 attains 3^ feet, and more in height. It generally 

 flowers towards the second week in December, 

 and remains in flower for about two months. If 

 mown a little before flowering, it flowei^s in March ; 

 if the plants are cut at intervals, they may even 

 flower three times in one season. The ordinary 

 method, therefore, which consists in preventing 

 the flowering of weeds by a single mowing per 

 year, is almost valueless for this weed, which 

 must be turned in. 



The Galega is regarded as a weed because — 

 (1) it is very little liked by cattle : (2) it tends to 

 choke more desirable plants ; (3) it is considered 

 poisonous. 



. Towards the end of autumn and in winter 

 animals feed to some small extent on the branches 

 of the. plant when they begin to dry. The same 

 is the case at the beginning of spring, before the 

 branches harden. 



On the other hand, all animals refuse the plant 

 during summer, when it is in full vigour. This 

 seems to be due to the bitterness of its leaves. 

 Moreover, at some seasons its leaves are markedly 

 poisonous to sheeiJ, and perhaps also to young 

 cattle. Experiments in France have shown that 

 10 lbs. of these leaves are sufficient to kill a 

 sheep. 



Goatsrue, however, has some useful properties. 

 It has even been advised as a forage crop, and is 

 in fact cultivated for that purpose in some parts 

 of Switzerland. If mown when still tender and 

 allowed to wither slightly, it is agreeable to cattle 

 and may be fed to them without danger. 



The writer thinks that Goatsrue would do ex- 

 cellent service as green manure, especially for 

 very light sandy soils, for which it would perhaps 

 be better even than lupin. It only remains to 

 ascertain whether turning in would suffice to 

 destroy it. Goatsrue is plentifully provided with 

 root tubers. 



To control this weed, it must be mown at least 

 three times a year, or turned in and a mixture of 

 grass consisting principally of Dactylis glomerata 

 and Lolium itahcum sown on top. It would also 

 be as well, for some time, to roll the grass-land 

 thoroughly. In those parts where the plant 

 specially abounds, clearing of the grass-land and 

 conversion into arable land is advisable. ^A. H. 

 Cockayne in the Journal of Agriculture, Feb. 21, 

 1916. 



