IRISH GARDENING 



15 



in, as Roses are strong' feeders. After planting 

 they should be given a good mulch to prevent 

 frost from penetrating to the roots. Also any 

 that require it should be given a stake to 

 prevent them being blown about with the wind. 

 Climbing Roses, such as the Wichuriana and 

 Polyantha type, if not already done, should have 

 all weak and old wood cut out and the new growth 

 tied in. The Crimson Rambler is an exception in 

 this; th : s is better left till the end of March, as the 

 growth of this variety is liable to get blackened 

 with frost and cold winds, and the old wood acts 

 as a sort of protection. 



Lawns. — Any re-turfing that is necessary 

 should be done, and they should be kept clean 

 and swept and given an occasional rolling; this 

 helps to keep down worm-casts. Tennis and 

 croquet courts should be gone over, and any 

 weeds in them should be eradicated. 



Cumbers on walls and trellis should be gone 

 over and pruned, thinned and tied in as the case 

 may require. Clematis of the Jackmanni type 

 require pruning hard back, as they flower on the 

 cuirent season's growths ; the growths of those of 

 the lanuginosa and montana type should only be 

 thinned, as it is on the previous year's growth 

 these varieties generally flower. All climbers 

 should be given a good mulch of rotten manure. 



At this time of the year, when the seedsmen's 

 catalogues are coming to hand, a careful scrutiny 

 of the flower seeds that are required for summer 

 display will have to be made and ordered as soon 

 as possible, as some subjects, such as Antir- 

 rhinums and East Lothian stocks, require to be 

 sown as early in the year as possible so as to 

 make a display not too late in the season. These 

 should be sown in heat, and when they have 

 made their second leaf could be pricked off into 

 frames. Other bedding plants that have been 

 wintered in frames should be gone over and any 

 dampness that there is removed, and the frames 

 in suitable weather should be given plenty of air, 

 so as to keep the plants as sturdy as possible. 

 If a clump or two of Phlox be lifted and put in a 

 little heat, they will soon throw suckers which 

 root easy, and they will make good plants for 

 either massing or as dots plants for summer 

 display. 



The Fruit Garden. 



By D. McTntosh. (iardener to Alderman Bewley, 

 Danum, Rathgar. 



Vineries. — Early Vines, which were started in 

 November, will now be in flower. At this stage 

 of growth a night temperature of 65°, with a day 

 temperature of 75°. must be maintained, rising 

 to 90° by sun heat. A little air should be 

 admitted from the top about 8 o'clock in the 

 morning and the same at the front, an hour later, 

 but only sufficient to create a nice warm current 

 of air throughout the house. To assist fertiliza- 

 tion of the flowers, draw a soft feather brush once 

 or twice up and down the bunches, when the 

 inside conditions are dry and airy. The young 

 shoots should be tied down to the wires just as the 

 flowers begin to open. They are then not so 

 liable to be broken off as when tied earlier. 

 Mid-season Vines may be started this month. 

 Close up the house and commence with a night 

 temperature of 45° to 50°. Examine the borders, 



and if dry give a fairly good soaking of clear water. 

 Attend to the syringing of the rods and damping- 

 down of the borders in the morning and afternoon. 

 This will promote a genial growing atmosphere 

 and bring about a gradual bursting of the buds. 

 Hub off all weak shoots, which are not wanted, as 

 soon as they are formed, leaving only the two 

 strongest to grow at each spur. One of these 

 can be removed when it is seen which has pro- 

 duced the best bunch. 



Peaches and Nectarines. — Indoor trees 

 should now have the full attention of the culti- 

 vator. Cut out all bare and useless branches, 

 retaining only those with well-ripened wood and 

 plump buds. Thoroughly cleanse the glass and 

 woodwork of the house with a solution of soft soap 

 and water. If the trees have been affected with 

 red-spider or any other insect pest, wash every 

 individual branch with Gishurst compound, 

 using at the rate of eight ounces to the gallon of 

 water. Great care is essential in the washing of 

 the trees that the buds be gently dealt with, as 

 they are so easily knocked off. 



Fruit Trees in Pots. — Where pot trees are 

 wintered outside, the pots are best situated in a 

 sheltered position, partly plunged in ashes, and 

 covered with some frost-proof material. From 

 time to time, but particularly after a spell of wet 

 weather, remove the covering material on a fine 

 airy day, so that the soil in the pots may dry up 

 a little. Re-cover the pots at once should a 

 re-appearance of frost set in. 



Pears on Walls. — Summer pinching of the 

 shoots reduces the work of winter pruning very 

 considerably. This operation is also a. means of 

 producing plenty of fruit buds. Where pear 

 trees on walls are allowed to form too many spurs, 

 the flowers come weak and never produce fruits 

 of good quality. The spurs may be thinned now, 

 but the best time for this operation is undoubtedly 

 the autumn, when they may be cut back and 

 thinned with great advantage. After pruning is 

 finished, dress the trees with an insecticide. Pear 

 scale and many other insects can be completely 

 eradicated at this season without injuring the 

 wood or fruit buds. Remove an inch of the 

 surface soil and replace the deficiency with a 

 layer of good rich soil, mixed with a small amount 

 of wood ashes or burnt earth. Vigorous growing- 

 varieties should receive no extra feeding properties 

 until it is seen if they produce a good set. 



Standard and Bush Apples. — The pruning 

 of these trees should be hastened without delay. 

 If the main branches seem too crowded, thin out 

 the weakest, and also any branches that are 

 crossing each other. Whether standard or bush, 

 the great aim should be to keep the centre of the 

 tree open, so that sun and air can reach the 

 fruits. Once a tree has formed a well-balanced 

 head, very little pruning will be necessary to 

 keep it in proper condition. Collect all prunings 

 and rubbish and have them burned. 



The Vegetable Garden. 



By J. G. Toner, County Instructor in Horti- 

 culture, Co. Monaghan. 



Brussels Sprouts. — This esteemed vegetable is 

 most acceptable on all tables right- through the 

 season, and as a long period is required for its 



