IRISH GARDENING. 



Knapsack Sprayers. 



IN a former issue we leferred to the efficiency of the 

 " Four Oaks" spraying pumps and nozzles, and are 

 therefore interested to learn that at the recent 

 Wisbech trials of spraying- machinerj- the Knapsack 

 machine of this 

 c o ni p a n y w a s 

 given the premier 

 award. Thepower 

 of the machine and 

 the structure of the 

 nozzle resulted in 

 the production of 

 a spray the force 

 and firmness of 

 which elicited ad- 

 miration from the 

 critical onlookers- 

 We are able, 

 through the court- 

 esy of the manu- 

 acturers, to give an illustration of this "Knapsack" 

 sprayer, that, from Press accounts of its performances, 

 seems to have struck the fancy of experts. It has no 

 rubber valves (a great improvement in our opinion), 

 being of brass and ball formation, and both Ihe pump 

 and the air-vessel are outside. 



We are told that the " Four Oaks" Co. is bringing 

 out a special pattern Knapsack for Ireland, to be called 

 " The Irish Gem," and that it is to be specially adapted 

 for Irish growers and excellent for potato spraying. 

 Mr. D. M. Watson, of South Great George's Street, 

 Dublin, is appointed the Irish agent, but it can be 

 ordered through any Irish seedsman or ironmongei*. 

 We have no information, however, as to the price, but 

 those intending to buy such a machine, this season will 

 do well to write to the manufacturers or to Mr. Watson 

 and ascertain particulars. 



Notes. 



The members of llie Dublin Seed and Nursery 

 Employees' Association paid a visit on Saturday, the 

 22nd of May, to the gardens at .^rdlui, Blackrock, where 

 they spent an enjoyable afternoon wandering along the 

 delightful walks and lingering beside the manv charm- 

 ing beds of late spring flowers that form quite a feature 

 of these well-arranged and carefully-kept gardens. 

 Under the escort of the head gardener, Mr. Baker, the 

 party was conducted through the pleasure grounds, 

 plant houses, and fruit and vegetable gardens. After 

 the acceptance of the much-appreciated hospitality (the 

 day was warm and the cyclists thirsty), kindly given by 

 Mr. l^Iitchell, the owner of Ardlui, the party returned to 

 town very well pleased with themselves and everybody 

 else. 



The members of the Dublin Naturalists' Field Club 

 visited last month the Dolgany Nursery grounds of 

 Messrs. Pennick & Co. Mr. Jones, courteous and 

 energetic as usual, conducted the party, and much 

 interest was taken in the various departments, especially 

 in propagating groimds and the rhododendron garden. 



At the Temple show held in London last month 

 -Messrs. Alex. Dickson and Son were awarded the 

 silver cup for their exhibit of tulips, those in Ihe Darwin 

 section being particularly fine. 



Americ.\n Gooseberrv-Mh.iiew in England. — It 

 has been reported to the Kent County Council that 2,176 

 acres of gooseberries in the county are infected with this 

 pest. The authorities have power to destroy the bushes 

 if they decide on that course, but they must give 

 compensation to the owners. 



With the coming of summer the villa gardener lightly 

 turns on thoughts of bedding, and here is Messrs. Wm. 

 Watson & Son's dainty little catalogue to hand to help 

 him in the selection of the plants that are to contribute 

 to his own delight and the admiration of passers- 

 by. The booklet contains descriptive lists of all the 

 well-tested plants for bedding-out purposes, as well 

 as for hanging baskets for the decoration of porches, 

 verandahs, &c. 



Slugs and Snails. — To prevent herbaceous plants 

 from being harmed, especially the young, choice plants, 

 traps must be set for slugs and snails. A sprinkling of 

 soot or lime at night on the soil around the plants will 

 help to keep off the attacks. The safest way is to 

 attract them b\- small heaps of brewer's grain, and 

 afterwards kill them by dropping them into brine. 



Law.ns. — To keep a lawn in good condition the grass 

 should be cut regularly. In cutting do not crop too 

 close, which method leaves the roots too exposed to the 

 drying effects of the sun. It is as well to leave the cut 

 grass on the surface of the lawn, being a protection 

 from excessive evaporation, while also making an ex- 

 cellent mulch. At the beginning of the season a top 

 dressing of bone meal and wood ash in equal parts by 

 weight, sprinkled evenly over the surface, with a good 

 heavy rolling, will make a good start for the year. It 

 watering is done at all during the year let it be 

 thorough, for a slight wetting of the surface is harmful. 

 If the lawn has been neglected it will, without doubt, 

 be infested with one or more of the following weeds : — 

 Dandelion, plantain, dock, sorrel, or moss. The first 

 three are villains, and no cutting off their heads with a 

 bit of their roots will do. The whole plant must come 

 up (tools can be bought for this purpose). The holes 

 should be then filled with loam, and a sprinkling of lawn 

 seed mixture put over the bare spot. A remedy given, 

 and said to be effective, for destroying these plants 

 without disturbing the soil, is to cut off the crowns and 

 place over the cut surface salt, or three drops of sul- 

 phuric acid, or green vitriol, but in this there is the 

 probability that harm may be done to the grass in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of the operation. Sorrel and 

 moss are a sign of sourness and bad drainage. A good 

 dressing of lime annually will correct this. The lime 

 stimulates the growth of the grass, which soon crowds 

 out the sorrel and the moss. 



Large bunches of difterent coloured anemones of the 

 St. Brigid strain were received in fine condition from 

 Mr. G. Roche, of Gowran Castle Gardens, early last 

 month. Thev were of extra large size and of most gor- 

 geous blended shades of reds and blues. Placed in bowls 

 throughout the house they kept their freshness and beauty 

 for over a week. Every one was charmed with them. 



