8t 



IRISH GARDENING 



1'ahsi.ev. — Mnki' a sowin-,' this moiitli fi>r a winter 

 sui)ply. It talu's u long time to geruiiniito uiilfss 

 well watered duriiig dry weather. 



Peas. — ^There is still time to make a final sowing 

 earlv in the month. Choose an carlv variety for 



tlu 



purpo 



Excelsior 



J.itlle Marvel. 



These are Ik-)(1i dwarf kinds and yield a good crop. 

 Jf water is reqnired for earlier sowings, give a 

 thorough soaking and ajjply a nudch at once. 



PoTAToKS. — Early vari(>ties should he lifted as 

 soon as the haulm ripens. Tuhers required for seed 

 may he left on the ground for a day or two to green: 

 aft.erwards store in a cool place, and on a wet day 

 can he hoxed up for sprouting. Plant up the 

 vacated ground again with Jiroecoli or wintir 

 greens. Spray maincrops during fine weather lie- 

 fon^ hlight makes an a])pearance. 



ToMATOKS. — .\ttend t<i the removal of the side 

 growths when quite small on outdoor plants. Pinch 

 (tut the i)oints of tlie main stems when ahoufc four 

 trusses of fruit are set. ("ut hack pieces of the 

 foliage when shading the fruit to allow the sun to 

 roach them. 



•Vkgktahi.k MAitnows. — To hasten tlie swelling ol 

 the fruit, \nnch the main stems and the resulting 

 lat<M-als at th(> first joint heyond the fruit: feed with 

 li<jnid manure even if the weather is showeiy. 



This is a favourable time to apply weedkiller to 

 garden walks, taking care not to let it touch line 

 edgings. The best time is in the evenings or on 

 dull days, with prospects of a dry two days after- 

 wards. 



Thk Fni'iT Gahden. 



Pi:a( iiKs ANU Ni'XTAitiNES. — Complete the tliinniuL' 

 of the fruits as soon as stoning is over. .\ space <it 

 nine to twelve inches is considered a good crop, but 

 the grower will be guided by the health of the trees. 

 Hegulate and tie in the young wood, exposing the 

 fruit to all sunlight possible. Nets should be 

 brought into use when colouring begins. 



iSTRAwrtEnniES. — The preparation of the ground for 

 now plantations should be taken in hand as soon as 

 convenient. It is a general practice to trench 

 ground for this crop during the previous winter and 

 growing an early croj:) of potatoes or peas which will 

 1)0 cleared of^' this month. Thoroughly dig the 

 ground, adding well-rotted manure, and allow it to 

 settle for a week or two. If runners were not 

 layered as advised last month get it done at once 

 to have well-rooted plants ready to put out in 

 August. Eunners intended for forcing should bo 

 got into their fruiting pots as soon as ready. 



4SUMME11 Pi{rNi\G.— Where the pinching of the 

 young shoots was neglected early in the season, a 

 considerable amoinit of breastwood will be on the 

 trees shading the fruit from the sun. Cut this back 

 to the fourth leaf with a view to phunping up the 

 basil buds to form fruit spurs, also allowing a free 

 circulation of air through the branches. \Yhen spm-s 

 are overcrowded these may bo thinned out at the 

 present time, duard against the attack of insect 

 pests with a timely spray. The season has been ex- 

 ceptionally dry in this locality, and watering has 

 caused a lot of labour. Newly-planted trees, especi- 

 ally those growing against walls, must be well soaked 

 at the roots, applying a mulch afterwards. Syringe 

 the foliage to check rod spider, 



i'ui: Pi.K.AsuitE Lii;uiNUs. 



Pi-A.NTs put out in the flower-beds -last mouth are 

 niaking .some headway, gradually filling up the space 

 alloti'd to them. Some of these, such as l\y Ger- 

 aniums, Petunias, Heliotropes, and Verbenas will 

 recpiire pegging down to cover the ground. Ix)ok 

 over the hods freijuently, and remove all spent 

 Howers, as th(>se, if left, s<K)n mar the beauty of the 

 subjects apart from exhausting tlw' plant's energies 

 develojjiug stn'd-pods. Jiorder Carnations may now 

 be layered if the grass is sutliciently h)ng. Either 

 mix up a light sandy compost for layering in, or 

 fork up the soil around the ])lauts and layer in that. 

 I>ss watering will he required by the latter method. 



Increase the stock of Pinks from pipings inserted 

 in sandy soil under a frame or handlights shading 

 from the sun till rooted. 



Put stakes to the border Chrysanthemums before 

 the heads get heavy, slinging up the side branches as 

 they grow,. A light dressing of artificial manure 

 hoed in after the Inids are set will be beneficial. 

 Hoses of all kinds will now be giving a fine display, 

 and will repay all the attention bestowed on them. 

 As the blooms go apart pick them off, cutting the 

 shoots back after flowering, when new growth will 

 soon break away and flower later. Keep the soil 

 stirred with the hoe, and if mildew makes an ap- 

 l)oaranco spray at once. Dryness at the roots is a 

 frequent cause of mildew. 



Sweet Peas must be picked almost daily to keep 

 the plants free of seedpods, as if those are allowed 

 to grow the flowers get small and stems short and 

 are useless for decoration. 



Transplant Wallflowers, ^fyosotis, and cither 

 l>lants sown for spring bedding' before thev get drawn 

 in the seed-hed. 



Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland. 



The monthly meeting of the Council- was held at the 

 offices, 5 Molosworth Street, Dublin, on the 10th 

 ult., Sir .John Ross of Bladensburg, K.C.B., pre- 

 siding. A letter was read from Dr. Harris, LL.D., 

 tendering the resignation of his seat on the Council, 

 owing to his leaving Ireland, which was accepted 

 with regret, and the thanks of the Council were 

 unaniuiously accorded to Dr. Harris for his helpful- 

 ness to the Society over many years. Correspon- 

 dence was dealt with concerning bands, and tea 

 catering for the summer show and judges were 

 nominated. A vote of thanks was accorded to 

 Captain S. Anketell Jones for the receipt of a hand- 

 some silver challenge cup, a special class for it 

 being loft in the hands of the Schedule Committee. 

 The iSehodule Committee w^as instructed to draft the 

 schedule for a show of hardy fruit to be hold in 

 October. The following new members wore 

 elected : — ]\rrs. Cullingworth, 28 Sandymoimt Road, 

 Did)lin: Mr. l.asil Tliomj)son, Stradbrook House, 

 l'>lackrock: Airs. Peard, .\shtown House, Pha-nix 

 Park; Mr. T. Ginglos, Market Street, Kells; and Dr. 

 C. Preston Ball, St. Nessan's, Pembroke ' Road, 

 Dublin. .\ cultural Certificate of Merit was 

 awarded, with the thanks of the Council, to. Mr. W. 

 Barrett, P'irmont, Sallins, for annuals and very fine 

 Sweet Peas exhibited at the meeting. .. " 



