IRISH GARDENING 



'43 



ThoNf « ho have rookorifs will fnid this work lu'lplii! 

 lo veril'v Ihoii- own plain names, aiul it will lie a most 

 iiseCiil coiiipariioii lo lliose j;i'''"K 'or a lioliila\ toilu- 

 L'oiitineiil. 



We are pleased lo note lliat the author has taken ex- 

 eeptional eare as to the spellini,' of plant names anil in 

 jfivinif aeeurale descriptions. 



The Montirs Work. 



Flower Garden and Pleasure Grounds. 



Ry .\. C.\Mi'iii:i.r„ Cardener to Lord Ardil.nm, 

 Si. Anne's, Clontarf. 



M 



\\\' of Ihe herh.-u'ooiis pl.mls 

 will now be past their best, antl 

 it will be well to remove Ihe 

 ^^HM old liloom spikes or heads, as it will 

 I^^^^^H g'ive the borders a lidy appearance. 

 "'^^^^H and it also helps the plants, as 

 ^ IJI maturing the seeds weakens them. 



Should it be desirable to save the seed 

 of any particular plant, a few of the 

 spikes or seed heads can be left on for 

 that purpose, and any already matured 

 can be i^'athered. 



The borders will be gay for some 

 time yet with many of the beautiful 

 autumn-blooming plants. The many 

 varieties of Asters are a feature in 

 themselves, and will take Ihe place of 

 ilie flowers which are past. Cuttings 

 of shrubs can now be put in firmlv 

 in cold frames or h.uul lights ; keep 

 close and water, also shade from 

 strong sun, and the\' will soon callus, 

 when they cm have air and full li,i,'ht 

 gi\en them. 



Grass still requires lo be mown and 

 edgings of walks kept neat- Put in a 

 stock of cuttings for next year's 

 display of such flowers as Calceolarias, 

 Pentstemons, Marguerites, Fuchsias, &c. 



If it is desirable to renew, or relay box edgings, 

 September is the best month lo do so. Towards the 

 end of the month prepare by thoroughly pulverizing all 

 beds or spaces which are to be planted willi bulbs of 

 .\arcissns, Scillas, Snowdrops, .Anemones, &c. .Many 

 others are best put in now, as these at once start to 

 make roots, and will be established before cold 

 weather sets in. Spring bedding plants which were 

 lined out last month must be kept free from weeds, and 

 the ground between the rows should be stirred with the 

 hoe to encourage free growth. Violets will now have 

 nearly filled their spaces ; they should have all their 

 runners removed, and a good layer of thoroughly 

 decayed manure should be put on, such as a spent 

 mushroom bed ; they will then plump up their crowns 

 before being removed to their winter quarters. 



The Fruit Garden. 



Hy L. Cmi.Ds, (iardciu-i- lo ihc ICarl of .\lcalh. 

 Killruddery, Hray. 



L\rK \'I NICK lies. —On account of the wretched 

 J wet weather and sunless days during .August, 

 grape-growers will find it almost impossible lo 

 gel Muscat of .Alexandria, Gros Colmar and other late 

 varieties lo colour properly. The hot-water pipes 

 must be kept fairly warm to encourage a buoyant 

 atmosphere, and should the unfavourable weather 

 continue every means must be adopted to assist Ihe 

 hunches to finish nicely by the end of September. A 

 little fire-heal will also be found very essential for 

 ripening the wood and laying a good foundation for 

 another year. 



Peaciiks and Nkciarines. — It will be necessary to 

 watch these trees for laterals, which should be 

 persistently pinched off at the first or second leaf. 

 Then carefully expose all fruit lo the full light. If the 

 leaves are very dense or numerous a few may be 

 removed without doing ihe least injury, or else tie 

 them back clear of the peaches, which need plenty of 

 sunshine. Trees that are carrying good crops will 

 occasionally need stimulants — either liquid or artificial 

 manure — to assist them in swelling their fruits. In 

 gatheiing, Ihe ripe fruits must be very carefully 

 handled or they will suffer from bruising. Always 

 have a box or basket with nice soft woodwool ready 

 for placing them in. and never on .any account lay 

 them on anything hard or rough. 



The Ori.h.\rii Hoise. — When Ihe pot-trees have 

 finished fruiting place them outside and plunge them 

 in ashes, and if top heavy tie them up lo a wire lo 

 prevent damage by rough winds. The ashes will keep 

 them steady, and also help to retain moisture at the 

 roots. If they are infested with scale you must make 

 the most i^i your opportunity to get it eradicated. 

 Voung trees that are intended for the orchard house 

 next year, and weie potted up last season, should now 

 have their pots well filled with active roots, and may 

 be given some weak stimulant. 



.Mkio.ns.— Those who have to depend on frames for 

 producing this delightful fruit, I fear, will meet with 

 many disappoinlmenls. for it is almost impossible lo 

 manage keeping the temperature up to growing point 

 during the day time, and the glass nearly went down 

 to freezing point several nights during the first two 

 weeks in .\ugust. But I have seen some excellent 

 early fruit grown in stoves, which have given perfectly 

 satisfactory results, and in two or three gardens I see 

 a good set on a second batch of plants which are 

 swelling nicely, and should be ripe about the middle of 

 September. When they are finished some of the old 

 soil will be taken out and replaced with new for 

 growing winter cucumbers. 



Strawberries. — New beds may still be made by 

 those who failed to plant early, though no time should 

 be lost or they will have very little chance of getting 

 established before the winter. Then you will have no 

 prospect of obtaining a crop the first year. 



General Remarks. — Taken all round the apple crops 

 are much below the average in this district. They 



