IRISH GARDENING 



lo: 



Hints to Amateurs. 



By K. M. I'OLLOCK. 



I RISKS (German flag-s).— Where these have g'orie out 

 of flower they may be transplanted and thinned 

 where necessary. When this is done early the 

 plants can jjet established before winter sets in. There 

 are of course a very larjje number to select from, and 

 beautiful tlunijjh they are, it would be a mistake to till 

 up a small jjarden with any but those most appreciated 

 by the owners, as they take up a great deal of space 

 and are only in flower for a comparatively shcrt time. 

 A visit to some collection is alwjiys advisable, where 

 the most pleasing can be noted. No one need hesitate 

 to throw out one clump and replace v.'ith another, as 

 they are quick growers and very soon till their allotted 

 space. The following are a few good distinct colours i — 

 Yellow — Mrs. .N'eubronner, variegata aurea, Maori 

 King, and flavescens. White — Klorentina and Mrs. II. 

 Darwin. Lavender —Tina; and pallida. These re- 

 marks re selection apply to all classes of plants where 

 there are a large number of named varieties, such as 

 Roses, Carnations, indoor and outdoor Chrysan- 

 themums, Dahlias, and others. 



BlLBS. — Where the foliage has turned j'cllow the 

 bulbs may be lifted. Do this if possible on a dry day, 

 using a fork and not a spade. Shake the earth from 

 them and place under shelter either in pots, boxes, or 

 spread upon shelves. There are sure to be wet days 

 when they can be gone over, cleaned, and where 

 necessary divided. Some varieties will be found to 

 have increased much more than others. It is of course 

 unnecessary in an ordinary garden to lift the bulbs oi 

 Narcissus and Tulips and other spring bulbs every year, 

 and if annuals are planted close to where the bulbs were, 

 thev will cover the bare spaces and still not injure the 

 bulbs. The grass where Daffodils are planted can now 

 be cut, and so give lawns a tidy appearance. 



Herisaceoi s BoRDKRs. — During the summer notes 

 should be carefully made about any alterations in the 

 borders, where colours are wanted, where they clash, 

 which is a very usual occurrence, where dwarf plants are 

 being sinothered by taller and coarser growers, what 

 plants do better in sun or shade, and also plants that 

 are not worth their place. It is only by personal observa- 

 tion of this sort, and noting alterations at the time of 

 flowering, that a border can be kept full and still not 

 overcrowded, and where every plant gets its full share 

 of light and space, and gives the grower in return strong 

 healthy growth and lots of flower. 



.Attend carefully to staking. Heavy rains and wind 

 will put great strain on the ties and stakes. Use the 

 hoe constantly and keep everything clean and tidy. 

 Water thoroughly during dry weather, and alternate 

 this with liiiuid manure on such plants as Sweet Peas. 

 Roses, Carnations, .\ulumn Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, 

 &c. Delphiniuins will usually throw a second flowering 

 growth if cut down as soon as the first bloom is over. 



Pinks .\nd Carnations. -Cuttings of the former may 

 be taken and inserted in a shady corner. Carnations 

 may be propagated also in the same way, taking the 

 cuttings from the plants when they are in full flower. 

 When making cuttings it should be remembered that 

 it is at the joints (nodesl or where the leaves are that 



roots are made. With a clean sharp knife remove all 

 the lower leaves for about half the length of the cutting, 

 ihen cut it straight across just below a joint, then with 

 a dibble make a hole, insert the culling and make 

 the soil firm round it. See that the cutting reaches 

 the bottom of the hole, otherwise what is known as 

 " hanging" will take place, as the cutting is only hang- 

 ing in the hole. If the ground is dry, water it a short 

 while before proceeding to work, as with dry soil it is 

 diflicult to firm the cutting. Wallflowers, Foxgloves, 

 Canterbury Bells, and other biennials sown in .May and 

 Jinie ntay be pricked out about six inches apart into 

 nursery beds prior to transplanting in autumn to their 

 permanent flowering quarters. Cut over Violas that 

 are beginning to look shabby, they will very soon be in 

 full flower again. 



If not already done, sow Forget-me-nots and East 

 Lothian Stocks for spring flowering. Sow in pans or 

 boxes and put in a cold frnme. 



CiRF.KNUOiSE.— Prick oft' Primulas and Cinerarias 

 from seed pans into their first pots. Water carefully 

 from this onwards. Start another batch of Zonal Pelar- 

 goniums. For directions see .April number, which may 

 be followed. 



Roses may be budded on a moist day, and for full 

 directions see Rose Notes in this number. Cuttings 

 may also be inserted under a wall. Take the ripened 

 wood of this year's growth, pull the shoot off, bringing 

 with it a little of the old wood which is known as a 

 "heel," and cuttings with heels seldom fail, .\lways 

 use a clean sharp knife. 



Pick Sweet Peas regularly. If you have more than 

 vou want, you can do good to some one by letting them 

 have the flowers, and your plants will be the better 

 without them. 



Packing Flowers.- Never pack when the flowers 

 themselves are wet. Soak the stems in water for an 

 hour or so before packing. Cse shallow boxes, and 

 only put two layers in each box. If more have to go, 

 use another box, and tie both together and post as 

 one. If the boxes are not quite full, use crumpled 

 tissue paper to fill gaps. Never use wet cotton wool. 

 If it once gets on the blooms it is impossible to remove 

 it. When dry, cotton wool absorbs any moisture there 

 may be in the flowers, paper is far belter. Never pack 

 fully open flowers, and where possible pick the flowers 

 early in the day. If in doubt how things travel, pack 

 and post a box to yourself, and note how they arrive. 



t^^ t^^ t^^ 



A Delphinium Trial .\t Wislev. 

 The Floral Committee of the R.H.S. confirmed, the 

 .\wards of Merit given to the following varieties of 

 Delphinium, after trial at Wisley :— Delphinium Darius, 

 Cvmbeline, Jessica. Lorenzo ; these varieties were 

 from Messrs. Geo. Bunyard & Co., Maidstone. 

 Mrs. James Kelway, Smoke of War, Dr. Lodwidge ; 

 these three varieties were from Messrs. Kelway & Son, 

 Langport. Royal Standard, Mrae. E. Geny, J. S. 

 Sargent, Colonel Crabbe, Dr. Bergman ; the foregoing 

 were from Messrs. Forbes, Ltd., Hawick. Mr. J. S. 

 Brunton, from -Mr. B. Ruys, Dedemsvaart. Lizzie van 

 Veen, from Mr. J. Box, Lindfield. 



