IRISH GARDENING 



31 



whatever about the upbriii<_'iiig and cuhure of Ihesu 

 attractive South African plants; tiiey are not sub- 

 ject to many enemies, gnrn fly possilily being 

 their worst, and tliey can Ijc wintered in a tem- 

 perature whicli suits bedding pUmts. 



Most dealers in greenhouse plants stock Ka!o- 

 santhes, though, it is to be feared, the call for 

 them is not great. 



We are convinced, however, that anyone who 

 desires a very beautiful flowering plant, and is 

 capable of appraising it as such, will not be dis- 

 appointed with the one undir notice, as they con- 

 stitute a charm wherever they are well grown, 

 and continue in flower for many weeks. 



W. T.IXDKKS I>E.\, 



and if m the open are tied to the stakes aforesaid, 

 which should l)e placed at an angle of 45 degrees 

 or thereabout, and inclined to the sc/uth if pos- 

 sible. If planting is done against a wall, the 

 trees are, of course, supported by nails and twine. 

 To get the best lesuks from cordons strict atten- 

 tion must be paid to summer pruning in order to 

 induce the formation of flower buds. This is 

 achieved by shoitening all side shoots to tour or 

 five leaves about tlie 'middle of August, and in 

 winter reducing these still further to two or three 

 buds according to the strength of the shoot. The 

 leading shoot may be allowed to grow unchecked 

 duiing sununer, merely keeping it tied in, and if 

 n lipens satisfactorily and shows evidence of form- 

 ing spurs naturally, which may be known by the 



A Fine Crop of British Queen, Seed from Messrs. Power. \V.\terforu. Grown at 

 .•^t. Anne's Gro've, Castletown Roche, Co. Ciuk. Gardener, Mr. Fox. 



Cordon Fruit Trees. 



This method of growing fiiuts is particularly well 

 adapted for small gardens where a variety of 

 choice fruits is important. The advantages lie in 

 the comparatively small space required to grow 

 a number of different kinds and in the ease with 

 which the trees can be attended to. Apples and 

 Pears are, among the large fruits, best adapted 

 for cordons, and may be grown against walls or 

 in the open tied to strong wires tightly stretched 

 between strong posts. In the latter case a stake 

 should be inserted in the ground and securely 

 tied to the wires, of which there should be at least 

 three, one at six inches or so from the bottom, 

 one in the middle, and one at the top, the total 

 height being about six feel. The single cordon 

 is the commonest form, and consists of one main 

 shoot, and the object of the cultivator is to have 

 this furnished with fruiting spurs from base to 

 top. The trees may be planted at two feet apart. 



plump appearance of its buds, it may be left 

 entire ; but if the end few inches appear soft, and 

 not well ripened, they may be removed back to a 

 healthy wood Ijud. which may be recognised by 

 being "smaller and not so round and plump as a 

 flower bud. Firm planting is essential, and the 

 soil must be in good condition. Against walls, 

 cordons and other trees often suffer from drought, 

 and this is inimical to the production of good 

 fruit, weakens the trees, and renders the foliage 

 liable to attacks of aphis and red spider. When 

 a dry spell appears to be setting in during summer 

 a mulch of rotten manure or leaves will keep the 

 roots cool and moist, thus keeping the trees in 

 perfect health. 



Small fruits, such as Gooseberries and Red 

 Currants, may be grown as cordons, and if planted 

 in shade or in northern aspects will give a supply 

 of choice fruit over a much longer season. In this 

 case it is usual to train up three or four shoots 

 from the base in the shape of a fork or gridiron. 



