IRISH GARDENING 



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Park, is given, over almost entirely to them in 

 lines of different colours, and a charming feature 

 they are making. The range of colours affords 

 ample choice to please anyone, and a selection 

 can be noted for future use. Cuttings put in now 

 make excellent stuff for early spring planting, 

 and they generally keep more uniform in height 

 than seedlings. 



Helianthemums. — I have been impressed for 

 the past few weeks by seeing the persistent 

 flowering of the Sun Rose. It opens its flowers 

 in sunshine and closes at night, or in dull weather. 

 In several rock gardens I have visited lately it 

 was a special feature. The flowers are produced 

 in such profusion that the plants are a sheet of 

 bloom of various colours nearly all summer. It 

 is surpassed by no other for modest beauty and 

 grace when trailing over stones and banks. Also 

 planted near the front of the herbaceous border, 

 a patch of it will furnish a pleasant surprise. 

 Cuttings of half-ripened growth strike readily in 

 sandy soil. Put in now in a cold frame for plant- 

 ing out early next spring. 



Carnations. — The advice on propagation by 

 layering has been repeatedly given in these 

 columns. I need not repeat it. but simply urge 

 those who would be successful to begin layering 

 at once. The work done early means strong- 

 rooted plants that may go into their permanent 

 quarters early in October if the district is not 

 a wet one. Otherwise plant the layers on a dry 

 sheltered border till next March, then plant out 

 where they are to flower. The soil to use in 

 layering should consist of old potting soil, leaf- 

 mould and sand. See that it is gritty and sharp, 

 as the layers root readily into material of this 

 kind. 



Climbers on Walls. — As soon as Climbing or 

 Rambling Roses have ceased to bloom, cut out 

 the growths which have flowered, and make the 

 new strong growths secure from harm by loosely 

 tying them into position. The rapidity with 

 which soil at the foot of a wall dries up is not 

 generally comprehended, and the reason why so 

 many beautiful climbing plants are more or less 

 a failure and become infested with insect pests, 

 instead of being a delight, is that they need 

 moisture at the roots when developing leaves and 

 flowers. A thorough soaking at the roots and a 

 vigorous hosing or syringing overhead now will 

 mean the salvation of many a plant close to a 

 wall. 



Hanging Baskets as a rule are not sufficiently 

 watered. Being up out of the way is often the 

 excuse for passing them over when in a hurry. 

 It simplifies matters greatly if a piece of sash cord 

 is attached to the wire-ring from which the 

 basket hangs, and the cord is passed over a 

 pulley wheel, then it becomes an easy matter to 

 lower the basket down to be watered, removing 

 dead leaves, or tying a growth here and there. 



Early Bulbs. — For those who require early 

 Roman Hyacinths and Freesias in flower by 

 November, secure bulbs and pot up at once. 

 The bulbs do not stand long exposure to the air. 

 Cover the pots with ashes or any light material 

 till an inch of growth appears above the bulb, 

 then remove to a frame, and from there in a 

 couple of weeks' time to the greenhouse. Too 

 rapid forcing induces the leaves to grow before 

 the flower spikes have time to develop. 



The Fruit Garden. 



By D. McIntosh, Gardener to Alderman Bewley, 

 Danum, Rathgar. 



Vineries. — In houses where grapes are ripe it is 

 advisable to shade the bunches from brilliant 

 sunshine in order to retain the colour of the 

 berries. Whitewashing the glass on the outside 

 will answer the purpose and help to keep the 

 berries from shrivelling. Admit abundance of air 

 when the outside conditions are favourable, but 

 on dull, sunless days a little warmth in the pipes 

 will be found essential to exclude dampness, a 

 stagnant atmosphere being fatal to ripe grapes. 

 Later vines, with their fruit swelling rapidly, 

 should have the borders damped down frequently 

 in bright weather. Attend to the pinching of sub- 

 laterals every few days, so that all the nutriment 

 possible will be forced into the bunches. Liquid 

 or artiiicial manures, when applied to the borders 

 at this stage, will give excellent results. Mulch 

 the surface with three inches of good horse 

 manure. Sponge or brush the leaves on the first 

 indication of red spider, using sulphur and soft 

 soap diluted in water. Remove pot vines out- 

 doors to a position where they will receive the 

 full advantage of air and sunshine to ripen their 

 growth. Spread some litter around the pots and 

 make them secure against strong winds. 



Peaches and Nectarines. — These fruits, in a 

 cool house, having commenced to swell up 

 quickly, should be gradually inured to more light 

 and sunshine. By so doing, most varieties obtain 

 a beautiful colour and the flavour is much 

 improved. Care, however, must be taken that 

 the fruits are not too suddenly exposed to strong 

 sunshine . or scalding will be the unpleasant 

 result. Keep the borders well supplied with 

 water until signs of ripening are visible. As soon 

 as the first fruit is ripe, the trees should be gone 

 over once or twice every day to examine the 

 others. Handle the fruits very carefully and set 

 them in a box or basket lined with cotton wool. 

 They are so easily damaged that the least bruise 

 will leave its mark. When the crop is finished 

 do not fail to give the tree a good syringing with 

 the garden engine, and if any signs of weakness 

 are shown, give several doses of weak liquid 

 manure throughout the autumn to strengthen 

 and plump up the buds for the following season. 

 Out -door peaches will also require close attention 

 as to watering, feeding, tying in, and regulating 

 of the current year's growth. Gross -growing 

 shoots and others that are crowded and not 

 likely to ripen satisfactorily should be cut clean 

 away. 



Pot Fruit Trees. — Many of the trees which 

 were set outside in June and July will be bearing 

 fruits approaching maturity. These fruits should 

 also possess a highly-coloured appearance, be of 

 fine size and good shape. Examine them at 

 frequent intervals to see that they are still safe 

 against rough winds, because there is always a 

 danger of their falling off and being damaged. 

 As the trees become deprived of their fruits when 

 ripe, keep the foliage healthy and clean by 

 occasional syringing. Feeding and watering 

 should still be continued, gradually reducing these 

 applications as the season advances. 



Hardy Fruits. — Where it is desired to prepare 

 well finished fruit for table use or show purposes 



