XVI 



IRISH GARDENING. 



soft earth round ami ihroutcli lIuMii. Be sure llio tree is 

 not planted too deep, and is well " firmeil " in al the 

 depth it has been jfrowing at. 



Yi'CCA (" J.L."). — You give no particulars, only savin tr 

 that they are not thriving. Were they planted out of 

 doors? They usually thrive in any well-draiued garden 

 soil, although they object to lime. In a rich, loamy soil 

 they ought to do well. Young plants often lose part of 

 their root system by rough handling in transplanting, 

 but in any case they often take months to re-establish 

 themselves in their new quarters. In planting, care 

 should be taken to firm them well, and to see that the 

 stems are prevented from being rocked by the wind. 



Hot-Bed i.\ Coot, Greenhoise for Rai.sing 

 Ci'TTiNGS ("A new Reader"). — A bed may be made of 

 fresh stable manure, about 3 feet deep, and well firmed 

 down and supported in front with boards. Over this 

 may be put a layer, 6 or 8 inches deep, of ashes 

 or bog mould, in which the pots or seed-pans may 

 be plunged. The temperature of the bed will be 

 regulated by the quality of the manure, its degree of 



firmness and moisture content, (j) In using artificial 

 manures for pot plants great care must be taken not to 

 over-feed. The manures you mention had better be 

 given in very weak solutions — put a handful of either in 

 a bag, and suspend it in water until all the soluble parts 

 dissolve out, and then make up to ten gallons. Water 

 with this twice a week after first watering in the 

 ordinary way. We would not advise you to feed the cact us 

 pl.'inls as you suggest. For the ferns use half strength. 

 (3) Yes, with pleasure. 



Troikle in Seed-Beds ( "J. P." ). — We cannot decide 

 whether the most important word in your letter 

 is " birds " or " beasts." We might suggest that you 

 catch them, but that, perhaps, is too obvious. We 

 therefore venture to advise the use of soot ou tin- 

 surface of the beds if "beasts," or netting, if the 

 trouble is due to " birds." 



HvAfiN'TH BfLBs after Flowerino ("Daisy"). — 

 Plant them out in a border until the foliage dies down, 

 then lift the bulbs and keep them in a cool, dry place 

 until autumn, when they may be planted. 



.\ Borpkr in Sprixc; (Mackeys St. Brigid .\nemones). 



Gorgeous flowerets in the sunshine shinhii^ 

 Blossoms flaunting in the eye of day ; 



Tremulous leaves with soft and silver linin 

 Buds that open only to decav. 



Everywhere about us are they glowing. 



Some like stars to tell us spring is born ; 

 Others, their blue eyes with tears o'erflowing, 

 Stand like Ruth amid the golden corn." 



