IRISH GARDENING 



95 



I'hc Month's Work. 



Flower (iardcn ;ind IMciisiire (iioLiiuls. 



Hv A. C'AMrniJ.i.. dardoncr lo l.oril Aiilil.uMi, 

 St. Anne's, Clonlarf. 



!t 



\ I r N K will bo H busy month in ilie flower 

 ' garden, all spring bedding plants 

 having been cleared away from beds 

 .iiul borders and the soil prepared for its 

 lu'W occupants, which are expected lo 

 ,;i\c a display during summer and autumn. 

 When planted, they should be encouraged 

 lo make new growth as quickly as possible, 

 so as to fill their allotted spaces, by cire- 

 hil watering siiould the weather be dry, 

 .ind by stirring the surface soil between 

 il'.e plants and lemoving their first 

 blossoms. 



I ).ihlias should have their supports placed 

 lo them when planted, so that their new 

 1 libers will not be injiu'ctl by inserting 

 si. ikes later on. 



Iris, I'.eonies, Lupinus of sorts. Del- 

 phiniums. Linums, Cleiuiis, and many other's 

 will keep up a display initii the summer 

 pl.iiits are established. 



A neat and tidy appearance should be 

 n.iintained by having grass mown and 

 walks edged, cleaned, and rolled. 



Clematis and other creepers should 



be trained as growth advances, and 



encouraged by an occasional watering 



with liquid manure. 



.stake Sweet Peas, and in the first week make a final 



sowing from wiiicli to pick for house decoration in 



late autumn. 



Keep Alpine plants fiee ot weeds, top-dress wilh a 

 gritty compost those which have finished lloweriTig. 

 also water if necessary. 



Many of the Dianthuses will now be at their best ; 

 they are both interesting and beautiful. A great many 

 Alpines flower during this month, so that the rock 

 garden will now be very attractive. 



Annuals must now be thiinied and watered so as to 

 obtain good results. 



See that Roses. &c., are kept free of greenfly and 

 other pests. If troublesome, spray with Ouassia 

 Extract, in the proportion of one pint to four gallons of 

 soft water, applied in the evening. 



It is now lime to make preparations for next winter 

 and spring by sowing such as Pansies, Myosotis, 

 Polv'antluis. Erysimum, Daisies, &c. 



Wallflowers sown last month will now be up, and 

 should be kept free of weeds. Arabis, Aubrietia, 

 Violas, &c., which w-ere lifted and lined in. should be 

 encouraged to make young growths from which the 

 necessary cuttings can be obtained for the coming 

 winter and spring supply. 



The Fruit Cjardcn. 



liy I,. Cnii.iis, (Jardener to \\iv Earl of Mealh, 

 Killruddery, liray. 



(""KAI'I-; \I.\'ES. — The teniperalure may now be 

 J kept at seventy degrees at night and eighty-live 

 ilegrees during the day, wilh a constant cir- 

 culation of air when the sun is shining. .Avoid sweep- 

 ing draughts when the berries are stoning. The 

 weather in -May was very favourable for breeding red 

 spider and Ihrip, so be on your guard against these 

 pests, and syringe well morning and evening until the 

 bunches begin to colour. -After that nothing but 

 sponging will prove erticacious without injury to the 

 grapes. Houses containing ripe grapes will not need 

 very much water, but the paths should be damped 

 down twice a day at this early season. Leave plenty 

 of front and top ventilation all daylong, and, of course, 

 some on the lop of the house all night. Grapes in late 

 vineries will not require much fire-heal at this perii>d 

 of the year. Stop and regulate the shoots, as pre- 

 viously directed, for early crops, thin the berries and 

 tie the shoulders of large bunches that are needing 

 support. 



Eakiv Pi:\ceii:s should now be ripening, and ihen 

 ihey will not need spraying overhead, but be careful to 

 give them plenty of clear water at the roots, also keep 

 laterals pinched off and the leaves clear of the fruit, 

 allowing them to get full advantage of the sunshine. 



FiiRli.NG .Strawhi-rriks. — These should all be 

 cleared out of the houses as soon as possible. Do not 

 keep them hanging about for the sake of a few truits. 

 Remember that there is always great danger of red 

 spider and mildew spreading from them on to other 

 things, especially when they have lo be grown on 

 shelves in vineries and peach houses. Save some ol 

 the cleanest plants out of six-inch pots for planting out 

 on a south border. Then wilh proper attention they 

 will produce a moderate crop of nice fruit for use in the 

 autuinn, when they are always highly appreciated if 

 vou can supply a few nice dishes for the dinner table. 



Ellis. — The first crop will now be almost finished, 

 and the trees should be encouraged lo produce a 

 second supply. Commence syringing them again, and 

 avoid a close atmosphere. Then generously, but 

 carefully, water them with weak, fresh manure waier. 

 and be careful not to overcrop them. Tie in sufticient 

 leading shoots, stop laterals and avoid overcrowding, 

 and you should get ample reward for any trouble and 

 labour you may e.xpend on them. 



H.\Rt>Y Eri IT. -Looking carefully over my fruit irees 

 I am perfectly satisfied thai almost every kind of tree 

 will produce a fair yield. Cherries, plums, goose- 

 berries, and currants have all a good set on them. 

 Pears, perhaps, or at least some sorts, are a liule 

 under average. And the same may be said about ihe 

 difterent varieties of apples. The cold nights, wilh 

 often a touch of frost, of course accounts for this. 

 Then the want of rain during the first few weeks of 

 May was very much against them also, and in favour 

 of insect pests. Protect sweet cherries and straw- 

 berries with netting when the fruit begins to colour lo 

 keep the birds away. Nail or tie in all leading shoots 

 for covering bare spaces on the walls. You may also 



