174 



IRISH GARDENING 



Veronica Fairfieldii, or as it is sometimes called \er- 

 onica Hulkeaiia Fairfieldii, is given b)- Cheeseman as a 

 probable hybrid of Hiilkeana and Lavaudiana, and 

 originated in the Fairfield Gardens near Duiiedin, and 

 has never been found in a wild state. The leaves are 

 smaller tlian \'. Hulkeana, and have a reddish margin, 

 and the inflorescence is the same colour, but it is smaller 

 and broader. It is being tested in the open this year at 

 Glasnevin, and in all likelihood will prove hardier than 

 \'. Hulkeana. 



Another \"eronica seldon seen, but quite a pretty little 

 shrub, is Veronica vernicosa, or \'. canterburiensis. It 

 has rather oval-pointed leaves closely set upon the 

 branches, the tips of these being- thickly set with clusters 

 of white flowers in spring or early summer. 



These \'eronicas are New Zealand plants, and they 

 are easily increased by means of cuttings inserted in 

 sandy soil, this month being a good time for propagation. 



Hints to Amateurs. 



By K. M. Pollock. 



TOWARDS the end ol the month all fruit trees 

 may be pruned; some knowledge is necessary 

 to make this operation a success. The amateur 

 must find out, either by observation or from text-books 

 on the subject, where the fruit is borne on the different 

 fruit trees. All trees that fruit on "spurs" (i.e., the 

 short stubby growths) such as apples, pears, plums, 

 apricots, sweet cherries, damsons and red currants 

 must be so pruned as to encourage the formation of 

 these spurs, but as well as this, the forming the shape 

 of the trees, and the subsequent retaining of the shape 

 must also be considered. Fruits which are borne on 

 the young previous season s growth, such as Morello 

 cherries, peaches, black currants and gooseberries 

 need very little actual pruning. The old and useless 

 wood may be removed, in the case of gooseberries the 

 centre of the trees cleared, and wall plants may have 

 the young growths tied into their places and the points 

 of the shoots stopped. Further particulars will be 

 given later on, as any time between November and 

 January pruning mny be safely done. Never prune in 

 frosty weathei. 



Cuttings of gooseberries and currants may be 

 inserted. Where possible take these off with a heel — 

 that is, a bit of the old wood. .Strong, firm, well 

 ripened shoots of the past summer's growth are the 

 best. In the case of gooseberries and red currants 

 remove the buds from the base of the cutting for 

 about five inches and cut off the weak top, leaving the 

 whole cutting from twelve to fourteen inches long. Put 

 these in firmly in the open ground in rows fifteen inches 

 distant and about four inches apart from cutting to 

 cutting. In the case of black currants the lower buds 

 need not be removed, as in these plants the young 

 growths from the base have to be encouraged. 



If new fruit trees are wanted they should be 

 ordered and places for them marked and the holes 

 prep.tred. If young plants of any sort arrive from the 

 nurseries while the ground is frozen they should on no 

 account be planted. Lay them in in some spare corner 

 and wait until all frost has gone before planting per- 

 manently, 



Tender plants and plants that are new to cultivation, 

 about which little is known as to their hardiness, will 

 require some slight protection. This can be applied in 

 different ways, either by branches of evergreens placed 

 over the plants ; the common heather or )-ew branches 

 are good, or old matting can be used, and if the plants 

 are small a cap-glass may be used, but if matting or 

 cap-glasses are used they should be lifted off during 

 bright days and replaced at night. 



Carnation layers should now be rooted and may be 

 cut from the parent plant. Where possible it is as well 

 to pot them up. and keep them in a frame or house 

 until the spring, but this is not always convenient, as 

 during the coming months space in either of these 

 places is fully occupied. Where this is the case, plant 

 them out at once in the sunniest border and the losses 

 will not be heavy. Roses and all trees and shrubs may 

 be transplanted and the places for new plants prepared. 

 See articles on these two subject in this number. 



Greenhoise. — Carnation rust where troublesome 

 should be seen to at once. Pull off all leaves that have 

 black or brown spots and burn them at once ; see that 

 they really are burnt and not left with the rubbish to be 

 burnt later on. This often happens, but in the mean- 

 time the spores of the fungus have spread. Spray the 

 plants at intervals of three weeks with a solution of 

 sulphide of potassium, one ounce to two gallons of 

 water. One spraying will not be enough, so it must 

 be repeated. 



The batch of Zonal Pelargoniums put in during April 

 will probably be ready for a shift to larger pots. Cut 

 down the oldest plants and put in another set of cuttings. 



Primulas and Cinerarias will be coming into bloom 

 quickly, so be careful in watering. Cineraria Matador 

 should be noted, for its scarlet flowers are quite a dis- 

 tinct break of colour in the family. When large blooms 

 of Primula sinensis are wanted, nip eut the first blooms 

 that show, but it is not advisable to do this to all the 

 plants, as it naturally makes the flowering later. 



Lilv of the \'alley may be potted for forcing, and this 

 should be done as early in the month as possible. 

 Retarded crowns of this beautiful flower can be bought 

 for about is. 6d. per dozen, and can be had in bloom 

 within three weeks from the planting time. When 

 these crowns arrive they should be potted up at once, 

 and grown on as quickly as possible. No great heat 

 is necessary, but care should be taken not to give them 

 any check. These retarded crowns often make very 

 vigorous foliage, and it is a good plan to nip out one of 

 the three leaves, and so give more space for the 

 developmeni of the flower spike. 



^5^ W^ 6^* 



WtL\T a beautiful garden rose is Madame .\bel 

 Chatenay I Be the season good or bad, wet or dry, 

 this favourite never seems to fail ; even now, in the 

 middle of October, many nice, fresh blooms niaj- be 

 gathered, showing that it is a good autumn rose. 

 Raised by Pernet Ducher in 1895, it freely bears flowers 

 of a carmine rose, shaded salmon. The flowers are 

 lovely in a vase ; although not huge in size, yet they are 

 ver)' full, and last well in water, and may usually be 

 cut with good stems. The foliage is of a deep, 

 lustrous green, and leathery in texture. 



