IRISH GARDENENG 



67 



the buds begin to show, and note how Httle there 

 is to please the- eye except berries. 



But, at the same time, if you have thought 

 \\inter devoid of colouring, go forth into the 

 roads and fields next November to March and 

 observe what Nature has provided as a feast for 

 the " smale foule " — also, incidentally, your 

 pleasure, and, coming home to your own garden, 

 wonder why there is "' nothing to look at." 



I began this intending to talk only about 

 berries — and now I find that I am digressing. 



There is so much to say about winter colour — 

 even in stems and barks; in fact, all the dainty 



My method of striking cuttings under cloches 

 IS to make up a bed of good sandy soil, about 

 one foot in depth, in a warm, sunny position, 

 and in an area to hold double the number of 

 cloches that will ht on the bed. 



One species under a cloche is the rule for 

 success; for instance, if cuttings of Saxifraga 

 and Helianthemum be jDut together one will root 

 before the other, and if you are not careful you 

 will lose both. 



The cuttings are put in from June to Sep- 

 tember. After the cuttings are inserted give a 

 thorough soaking of water through a fine rose. 



Anemone pui.satii t.a alba 



devices with which Nature consoles us for the 

 lack of flowers and leaves, that it were better 

 that I should stay my pen, except to write 

 Finis. 



Muriel E. Bland. 

 March, 1919. 



The Propagation of Alpines 



Ix the March number of Jkish Garde.xixg refer- 

 ence was made, by Mr. IMurray Hornibrook, to 

 the French method of striking Alpine cuttings 

 under cloches. 



I enclose a photo of same, a practice I have 

 followed for some time and with great success. 



I always found it beneficial to whitewash the 

 side of the cloche most exposed to the sun; this 

 saves a lot of attention and watering. As soon 

 as the cuttings are rooted, the whitewash may 

 be removed; admit air gradually, and finally re- 

 move the cloche altogether to a new position on 

 the bed, to be used again. About a fortnight 

 after the cloche is removed the cuttings are 

 ready for potting into three-inch pots ; plunge 

 into sand or ashes in a shallow frame and keep 

 close for a few days until fresh root-action 

 begins. Admit air gradually, and finally re- 

 move the lights altogether. Some Alpines, 

 given this' treatment, from- cuttings taken in 

 June, make good plants for planting out in Sep- 

 tember. 



Angus Slater. 

 March 17th. 



