IRISH GARDENING 



'/5 



T 



The Month's Work. 



Flower (iardeii and Pleasure Grounds. 



Hy A. (.'ami'Hki,!., Hardener to Lord Ardilami. 

 Si. Aiiiu'S, Cloiitarf. 



111'^ lloutT tcartii-ii will lia\'L" iiiidt'i'- 

 OIK' a ^real chanjje during; llu' 

 past few weeks. Nearly all dc- 

 culiious Irees and shrubs uili have sheti 

 ihoir foliage, which was so hrij^lit la^l 

 nioiuli. They can now be jjoneover care- 

 liilly, pruninif and icgulalinj^ Uie g^rowth 

 of all specimen plants. .Should any of the 

 ibove. or evergreen shrubs, require re- 

 moving- or transplanting now is the best 

 iinie lo do so, choosing a dry time, when 

 ihe soil is in good working order. Water, 

 mulch, and stake all plants which ha\e 

 leen replanted. 



The herbaceous borciers should now 

 receive attention, removing all the stems 

 and foliage of the plants which are quite 

 past. Should any regulaliiiij or replanting 

 be necessary it should now be done, after 

 which a good dressing of decayed manure 

 should be worked in between the plants 

 with a digging fork, taking care not to 

 iTijure the roots of ihe plarMs which are 

 near the surtace ; this will also give the 

 borders a tidy appearance for the winter. 



Spring bedding should be completed as 

 early as possible, so that the plants will 

 i;et established before severe frost sets in. 

 .All bulbs not already planted should be attended to at 

 once. Carnation layers which were planted in their 

 permanent beds last month will be benefited by 

 having the surface soil stirred with a hoe and made 

 neat. 



.Alpine plants should nviw be looked over, and slu>uld 

 it be desirable to increase any of them they should be 

 lifted and divided, taking care to have roots adhering 

 to each piece. They can then be planted into the 

 spaces which have been prepared for them. Some 

 varieties which will not divide should have cuttings 

 taken oft' and inserted in a frame or hand-light in anv 

 sandy, free compost. Kept close and shaded they 

 will soon root and be ready for planting out in 

 spring. 



All established rock plants should have a top-dressing 

 of tine compost, which will feed and protect their sur- 

 face roots. 



Keep grass and paths clean by having fallen leaves 

 collected, they will repay for the labour expended on 

 them. All beech and oak leaves should be collected 

 and stored dry in a shed for leaf-mould. In about nine 

 months they can be rubbed through a coarse riddle. 

 This will be found much better for all purposes than if 

 allowed to decay. All other leaves can be used in 

 making hot bed and for mixing with manure. &c. 

 When the walks have been cleaned, roll them, and 

 in every part of the garden maintain a tidy appear- 



1 he Fruit Garden. 



Hy 1.. Ciiii.Ds. Gardener lo the Karl of .Mealh. 

 Killruddery, Uray. 



EARI.V VI.NKRIICS. -The work of priming and 

 cleaning early vines should be done williout 

 tielay, as it will allow an earlier and longer rest. 

 If the grapes have not already been used up they may 

 be cut at once ; for if a fruit-room is available for 

 storing the grapes, these will last in good condition 

 when cut and pi iced in bottles of water, with a few- 

 pieces of charcoal for keeping the water sweet, pro- 

 vided they are examined frequently and bad berries 

 removed from time to time. After the vines are 

 pruned the rods and every part of the house must be 

 thoro.ighly cleansed. .-Mways remember that unless the 

 cleaning work is carefully and properly carried out 

 when the vines are in a dormant state you will be cer- 

 tain to suffer for any neglect in this respect after the 

 growing season commences, and especially wiJl this be 

 the case if you are unfortunately troubled with that 

 garden pest called mealy bug. If yon have the slightest 

 sign of the above insect the rods should be well washed 

 two or three times, and then painted with the following 

 mixture :-One pint of gas tar, two wineglassfuls i^f 

 p ir.iffin. a sixty-sized pot of flowers of sulphur, and three 

 pints of clay. Then boil these materials, adding 

 sufficient water for thiiniing. After removing the old 

 and loose soil from the surface of the border, and if the 

 border is found dry, give a good watering and also ;i 

 top-dressing of new compost composed of, first, a 

 sprinkling of bone-dust and wood-ashes or artificial 

 manure ; then cover with a nice layer of fibrous loam 

 or turves placed closely together with the grass side 

 downwards. 



Pe.^cHES. — The peaches should also be got readv for 

 starting at your earliest convenience. Prune them 

 first, then cut off all the old ties and wash every shoot 

 to make sure that they are free from scale. The bright 

 sunny weather during September and October helped 

 considerably in ripening their weed, and with pioper 

 attention, combined with good cultivation, they should 

 give splendid results next year. In pruning peaches 

 and nectarines it is necessary to have a regular distri- 

 bution of well-ripened wood amply provided with 

 flower buds over every part of the trees. All the 

 naked shoots of the pre\ ious year should be cut away 

 to a properly placed joung shoot, and on no account 

 sliorten those. If you have sufficient space on trellis 

 tliey should be all tied in without any cutting back. 

 Pay strict attention to root pruning when needed : 

 also drainage, watering, and '.op-dressing. Remember 

 that it is always a pleasure to see nicely tied and care- 

 fully trained peaches and other trees growing on good 

 walls, for when seen in a healthy slate they are a credit 

 both to the owner and the grower. 



The Hardv Frlit G.akde.v. 



Fri IT Trees on Wails. -Planting operations should 

 be carried on with all dispatch during favourable 

 weather. Do not waste any opportunity in getting 

 forward with this important work, for the sooner it is 

 accomplished the better will be their chances for grow- 



