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miSH GARDENING 



Hints to Novices* 



By May Crosbie. 



If this liot, dry weatlior contimu's. watiainji; will 

 be a heavy item in tlie day's ])i()gi'ajiiiii(' this 

 month ; but for esla))lisht'd plants kee])ing tlie 

 surface soil well open and loose is far better than 

 watering, and miich better results will be obtained 

 in the long run by keeijing the hoe going rather 

 than the watering-can. A garden tool called a 

 " cultivator "' is, I think, to be ])referred to a hoe. 

 Instead of the flat blade of the. latter, it has three 

 or more sharp-curved prongs, which break u]) the 

 surface soil splendidly, and at the same time 

 penetrate more deeply into the soil than the 

 ordinary hoe. There are several makes on the 

 market, and they can be bought for a few shillings. 



Carnations ought to be layered this month ; 

 the best stuff to use is pure sand, but where this 

 is not available, a good substitute is a m.ixture of 

 very fine soil, coal ashes, garden lire ashes, and 

 leaf mould. See that the soil all round the plant 

 is well stirred and made very tine, spread a thick 

 layer of sand or prepared soil over it. Any 

 flowers that are on the plant ought to be tied to 

 a stake in the centre out of the way. Choose 

 stout sturdy shoots to vise as layers, and slit them 

 with a sloping cut half-way through the under 

 side of the stem, about 6 inches from the growing 

 point, peg them down well, being careful that the 

 cut is kept open ; it is recommended by some to 

 l)ut a small piece of wood or twig in the slit to 

 prevent it closing. The reason for slitting is that 

 thereby the flow of sap is partially checked, and 

 this, combined with the covering of damp sand or 

 soil, induces the layer to send out roots quickly. 

 When the required number of layers on the plant 

 have been made, cover the pegged down part of 

 the stem with the sand or prepared soil, pressing 

 it well arovmd the stem. Keep w^ell watered, and 

 by October the layers ought to be sufficiently 

 rooted for removal from the parent plant. 



In the flowering season if those clumps of 

 Daffodils or Tulips which want dividing were 

 marked, they can now be lifted and stored in a 

 dry shed till early autumn, or it is just as well 

 if feasible to replant at once. Open a circular 

 hole in the border about 3 inches deep, and put 

 in the largest bulbs about 3 inches apart, cover 

 over. The smaller ones can be planted in lines 

 in the reserve corner of the garden to grow on 

 there to flowering size. 



The autumn flowering plants such as 

 Michaelmas Daisies, .Sunflowers, Dahlias and 

 Chrysanthemums all want attention now. See 

 to staking ; and when buying stakes remember 

 bamboo canes are always cheaper in the end. 

 An occasional watering of liquid manure will be 

 greatly appreciated by the Chrysanthemums and 

 Dahlias, «&c., given either after rain or after a 

 watering of clear water. If the weather is very 

 dry and manure is plentiful, spread some fresii 

 stuff round the plants, it will keep the soil moist 

 as well as giving them some extra nourishment. 



Wallflowers, Forget-me-Nots, Sweet Williams 

 and Canterbury Bells ought all to be fit for 

 pricking into nursery beds ; as soon as ever they 

 are large enough to handle it is better to do it. 



Cuttings can now be put in of the various IMnks, 

 Heucheras, Alyssums, Arabis^ Hypericums, 

 Aubrietia, Violas, Arc. If the Arabis, &c., was cut 

 back as recommended in last month's notes, 

 there ought by the middle of the month to be 

 a good supply of nice young shoots which will 

 make excellent cuttings. 



The Month^s Work. 



The Flower Garden. 



By Wm. Ci. Wajjgk, Cardener to Lady O'Neill, 

 Shane's Castle, Antrim. 



Jt-TLY has the reputation of being our hottest 

 month. If it behaves u]) to its reputation, and 

 we get the heat and sunshine we expect, a good 

 deal of time will be si)ent out of doors by the 

 owners of gardens : this makes it very necessary 

 that every place shall be at its best. With the 

 lawns evenly mown, walks edged and free from 

 weeds, hardy border l»lants neatly staked, with 

 many of them in flower, and the occu])ants of 

 the flower beds now beginning to fulfil their 

 mission, the flower gardens and pleasure grounds 

 will afford much pleasure both to the owners and 

 their gardeners. 



The Bedding. — The plants had a hard time 

 immediately after X'l^nting, and were slow in 

 starting into growth. A hard drying wind, 

 blowing strongly from the north for a fortnight, 

 accompanied by bright sunshine, is not conducive 

 to free growth. Use every means that will 

 encourage the plants to fill their allotted space 

 early. Sprmkling overhead about five o'clock in 

 the evening of hot days is helpful. A host of 

 small weeds have appeared amongst the legitimate 

 occupants of the flower beds. Hand picking is a 

 tiresome job, but in this case there is no help lor it. 

 While weeding, pick off any stale blooms and 

 leaves, and loosen the surface soil with a hand- 

 fork if inclined to be hard. Some plants may 

 need the stronger growths pinched when it is 

 desirable to preserve the outline. Carpet bedding 

 needs weekly attention in this matter. Plants in 

 tubs and vases are rooting freely and will respond 

 to a little feeding. A small handful of some well 

 known fertilizer dusted over the surface and 

 watered in may be given once a week, or the 

 drainings from a manure heap diluted with clean 

 water. 



A'lOLETS. — The spell of dry weather has been 

 unfavourable for these. If water is available, 

 apply it freely and syi-inge daily. Give a light 

 dusting of soot when the foliage is damp; it will 

 be distastetul to insects, and when washed off it 

 will not be wasted. All runners should be 

 regularly pinched oft". 



Wallflowers will be large enough for jiricking 

 out. Plant them firmly in an oi)en ])osition on 

 poor rather than rich ground ; they will then grow 

 sturdy and bushy, and will be better able to 

 stand bad weather. Give them a distance of 

 one foot by nine inches. 



Pinks and Carnations. — The former have 

 been delighting us with their fragrance, and the 

 latter wall deliver u]) their stores of sweetness this 

 month. Make preparations for i)ropagation. 

 Either may be increased by cuttings inserted in 

 sandy soil in a shaded frame, but layering is the 

 usual method with Carnations. Pinks being so 

 fine in the stem are seldom layered. The opei'a- 

 tion of layering is simple and is well known. 

 Better results will follow if the soil is loosened 

 with a hand-fork ])revious to layering and a few _ 

 inches of sandy loam added. If the weather and ■ 

 soil are dry give a thorough watering a day or ^ 

 two before commencing the work. Water when 

 completed, and give a spray over in the evenings. 



Bulbs may now be lifted. Any that have got> 

 too crowded and show signs of deterioration. 



