134 



IRISH GARDENING 



wood will come with il, forming the so-called 

 "heel." This should be neatly pared down 

 till only a small, thin piece remains attached to 

 the cutting. Many cuttings root readily with- 

 out this precaution, but the young propagator 

 will learn more by experience tlian by any 

 amoimt of reading. 



Position for the Ciillings. — A half-shady site 

 away from strong sunlight is preferable, as then 

 the trouble of shading is obviated, as well as 

 frequent watering, which in this climate is 

 disastrous. A shallow frame which can he 

 kept close and free from draughts forms a 

 first-rate place in which to insert the cuttings. 

 A few inches of rough material placed in the 

 bottom will ensure drainage. Over this three 

 inches of the compost should be evenly laid and 

 made firm. The distance apart to put in the 

 cuttings will vary according to their size, but 

 for many kinds three inches will be sufficient, 

 and less will sulfice if the cuttings are very 

 short with small leases. Pots, of various 

 dimensions, are also quite suitable for cuttings, 

 using plenty o'i drainage and IJell glasses. 

 Cap glasses and Cloches are exceedingly handy 

 and even better than a frame. In the latter 

 three cases a bed of suitable soil may be made 

 up in any shady position, and on this the 

 covers may be placed. First press the Bell 

 glass or other cover firmly into the soil and 

 then remove it ; an impression corresponding 

 to the size of the cover will thus be made, and 

 the cuttings may be inserted within this mark, 

 keeping about an inch inside ot il. .\ good 

 watering will settle the soil about the cuttings, 

 after which the covers may be put on. All 

 cuttings should be well watered when put in, 

 after which, at tliis time of the year, no more 

 should be wanted till roots are formed, which 

 in some cases will be in three or four weeks, 

 in other cases longer. During- fine weather in 

 autumn the covers should be raised every morn- 

 ing for half-an-hour or so to allow moisture 

 which collects on the glass to dry away. .Ml 

 leaves which damp off or show signs oi decay 

 should be regularly removed and the surface of 

 the soil kept loose and Iree from green scum, 

 otherwise the cuttings are a|it to damp ofl' at 

 the surface of the soil. Facli time the cuttings 

 are watered it should be done thoroughly. 

 I'requently cuttings damp olV, tlie surface of 

 the soil is black and wet, but on examining the 

 soil below it is foimd quite dry. This is due to 



applying frequent driblets o'i water instead of 

 giving sufficient to reach the base of the 

 cuttings. During frosty weather in winter it 

 is well to protect the cuttings from alternate 

 freezing and thawing, which loosens the soil 

 and may kill young roots. 



.^ great many different kinds of shrubs may 

 be propagated now. The following list is only 

 intended as a guide to amateurs : — Barberries 

 Deutzias, Buddleias, Cistuses, Cotoneasters, 

 Diervillas, liscallonias, Euonymuses, Forsy- 

 Ibias, hardy Fuchsias, Hypericums, Ivy, Jessa- 

 mine, Privet, Honeysuckle, Lavender, Myrtle, 

 Philadelplius, Rosemary, &c. 



In putting in the cuttings, evergreen kinds 

 and those w-hich will subsequently drop their 

 leaves should be put in separate lines. 



Lilium myriophyllum 



I OF WII.SON). 

 li\ A. l.'.RO\H, Author i>r •• Lilies." 



WI1.\T1-;\'KR maybe the idcntit\ ol this 

 beautiful Lily — and it is certainly not 

 mvriophyllum of Delavay — all who 

 have had anything to do with it will agree that 

 it is a most satisfactory plant. Whether like 

 L. Henrvi, another Chinese lily of robust 

 growth , myriophyllum may tire in some gardens 

 after a time and gradually die out, remains to 

 be seen, but for the present one can hardly say 

 enough in favov.r ot it. 



.\s far as the w-riter is aware the small stock 

 at present in Great Britain is made up of wild 

 bulbs collected in China — a possible reason for 

 the scandalously exorbitant prices charged for 

 them bv dealers ; but as this lily seeds freely, 

 and the seed germinates quickly, it can hardly be 

 many years before there is an ample supply ^-^i 

 bulbs to go round. 



No doubt seedlings raised at home will show- 

 as much variation as do the wild plants, and it is 

 to be hoped they may furnish some clue to the 

 relationship between L. myriophyllum and other 

 Western Chinese Lilies seemingly akin to it. 



Originally collected by Wilson in the Chiuo- 

 Thibelan frontier region, that happ> hunting 

 ground of the modern collector, which has been 

 despoiled of so many good things for our gar- 

 dens, and so much that is uninteresting, L. 

 myrioplivllum has a bulb which, judging by the 

 specimens sent home, is not lobe distinguished 



