8o 



IRISH GARDENING. 



May 



Sir.iwlHTiii-s slu-mld liavi- a imilili of i-k>an straw 

 placed undor the leaves and fniits to keep the fruits 

 clean and free from ijrit while ripening;, and if a dress- 

 ing of lime and soot mixed can be sprinkled over the 

 ground under the plants before putting on the straw it 

 acts as a great protection against snails damaging the 

 fruits in damp or wet seasons. If the beds were not 

 liberally mulched with good farmyard manure, ;is 

 previously advised, give a dressing of nitrate of soda, 

 guano or some quick-acting fertiliser as soon as the 

 fruits are set ; this will considerably improve the yield of 

 fruit. Give liberal waterings if dry weather prevails 

 while the fruit is swelling. 



Overhaul and repair old netting, and where new 

 netting is required, lose no time in placing the order for 

 it, so as to have a good supply in hand for covering the 

 beds as soon as the fruit commences to colour. (It is 

 almost impossible to preserve strawberries from birds 

 without netting.) Where strawberries are to be 

 marketed have a good supply of punnets and crates in 

 hand before the month is out, and so soon as an approxi- 

 mate can be formed of the gooseberry crop likely to 

 come to maturity endeavour to obtain orders for same 

 as near home as possible at reasonable prices. Look 

 round the grafting occasionally, fill up any flaws in the 

 grafting wax, or if clay has been used, fill up any cracks 

 that may appear with moistened clay. If the clay 

 seems inclined to crack badly a little moss tied over it 

 will prevent the cracking. 



Notes 



roni 



CJlasncvin, 



Hy U. M. I'ui.i.oiK. 



Cl^RVDALlS HRACTKATA is a native of Siberia, 

 .mil although delicate looking is perfectly hardy 

 ;iiid flowers during April and May. Numerous 

 tlowers .ire borne loosely on stems from twelve to 

 eighteen inches high, anil each flower has at its base a 

 large green bract, from which the |-ilant gets its specific 

 name. 



Another member of this genus, but a native of China, 

 is C. Chcilanthifolia. the foliage of which resembles at a 

 distance a fern. This species also has yellow flowers, 

 but of a deeper colour and smaller than C. bracteata, and 

 it flowers later in the season. Both these plants will do 

 in shade. 



Among other cliarming Alpine plants suitable for rock 

 work maybe noted the Androsaces. A. Laggcri, where 

 it does well, is a pretty plant with small rosettes of dark- 

 green pointed foliage, and small pink flowers in a head. 

 This should also be planted in a shady spot. 



A. sarmentosa is a species from the Himalayas, 

 having pink flowers with white eyes. The main plant 

 sends out runners which have at the end small rosettes, 

 and these can be pegged down to take root. 



A. Chumbyi is a hybrid between sarmentosa and 

 villosa, and also has pink flowers and red stems and 

 very pretty woolly grey foliage. 



A Calendar for Amateurs. 



Gooseberries. — Where table dessert is especially 

 required, the fruit should be thinned. A good mulching 

 should be applied if not already done. While the fruits 

 are swelling, copious watering is required, also manure- 

 water and some good artificial manure, to obtain the 

 best results. Keep the trees well open to air and sun 

 by pinching back the side growths to about five or six 

 leaves. 



Raspberries. — Give a good mulching, and allow 

 plenty of light and air to get to the canes. During dry 

 weather water must be freely applied. 



Apple Trees. — Keep newly planted trees watered 

 and mulched. Have a look out for the apple blossom 

 weevil. Blossoms so affected turn brown as if affected 

 by frost. Close examination shows the insect or traces 

 of it. If the tree is shaken the weevils will fall out ; 

 place cloths to catch them, then destroy. Look out for 

 American blight. 



Strawberries. — Mulch, if not already done, with 

 long litter. Cover with nets to keep off frosts and 

 birds. 



Flower Garden. — Preparation must be made at once 

 for the bedding out of plants by the end of this month. 

 Gradually harden exposure, but be on the look out for 

 frosts. See that the plants have sufficient water to 

 thoroughly wet the whole mass of soil in the pots. 



Propagation.— The cold frames vacated by the plants 

 being hardened off for summer bedding can be used for 

 striking cuttings for next spring's bedding and for other 

 soft -wooded plants such as aubrietias, alyssum, arabis, 

 &c. Make sowings of annuals for succession where 

 they are intended to grow, and biennials for next year. 

 Wallflowers should be sown now for autumn decoration. 

 Top-dress all hardy ferns, and remove weeds and 

 litter. A little soot sprinkled over the top of the 

 plants makes a good fertiliser. All carnations should 

 be out in the open by the end of this month, also 

 chrysanthemums. 



Dahlias should be planted out by tlie end of this 

 month before the plants are too large. A large plant 

 receives more check by transplanting, and is likely to be 

 more affected by frost. Dip in an insecticide a day 

 before transplanting. A heavy soil suits these plants, 

 but it must be well worked. 



Climbing Plants. — For present planting what could 

 be better than scarlet runner beans ? They are quick 

 growers, and useful as well as beautiful. Plant seeds 

 two and a half inches deep and two together about 

 three inches apart. They will cover poles or arches to 

 a height of eight feet, and produce a really striking 

 effect. Other climbers that may be used are hops, 

 canary creeper, and tall nasturtium. 



