100 



IRISH GARDEiMiNG. 



particularly Conifers, is remarkable, and tiie 

 individual specimens are such as are rarely 

 met with. 



Noble examples of the Sitka si)ruce, Picea 

 sitchensis, were a feature of great interest, con- 

 sidering the Vidue of this tree for fcji'estry 

 ])urposes. 



Other Piceas of great interest and beauty 

 at Powerscourt are P. polita, P. morinda, and 

 P. hondcensis. 



The silver firs are represented by fine 

 specimens of Abies grandis, A. nobilis, A. 

 nordmanniana and A. pectinata. Of Pines, 

 P. excelsa, P. ])onderosa, and P. cembra were 

 noted as very large trees. Remarkable si)eci- 

 mens of Sequoia gigantea, rising like tall spires, 

 are a notable feature, while the Cedars are 

 represented by Cedrus Deodara and Cedrus 

 fitlantica glauca, both fine specimens. 



A collection of young Larches planted on a 

 sloj)ing bank was examined with much interest. 

 Anicdig others were noted, Larix europtea, L. 

 le])tolcpis, L. montana, L. Kurillensis, i.^. 

 occidentalis, Ac, are all doing well. 



It was only possible to take a passing glance 

 at the fine plantations of Douglas Fir, Pseu- 

 dotsuga Douglasii, planted closely on strictly 

 forestry lines, but the fine healthy appearance 

 and good growth of the trees were favourably 

 commented on. Other interesting Conifers 

 seen were fine sj^eeimens of Cupressus obtusa 

 aurea, and C. pisifera squaiTosa, both so de- 

 sirable as ornamental trees in parks and gar- 

 dens. Fitzroya j)atagonica was much admired, 

 this uncommon Patagonian and Chilian twc 

 being rarely seen in such fine condition. 



Of hardwoods there are fine examples of 

 Sycamore and Beech, and the (tlier com- 

 moner trees of our woods and parks. 



Xf)tliofagus betuloides near the lake is i)ro- 

 biibly one of the finest specimens in the 

 country, and was examined with mnch in- 

 terest by the members of the j)arty. Jt is one 

 of the evergreen Beeches of South America, 

 l)earing closely placed ovate, toothed leaves 

 dotted with glands on the lower siu'face. Tlie 

 liandsome and distinct a|)))earance r)f this tree 

 was iTuicli admired. 



In the gardens jjroper the abundant fruit 

 crop was noticed, togethei- with the well- 

 managed aj)pearance of the vegetable (piarters 

 and flower bordeis. 



Mr. Lee, head gardener, is a well-known 

 competitor at our Dublin shows, and bis Swt'et 

 Peas are marvels (4 skilful cultivation. 



In the gardens the party was again nirt !)>• 

 Lord Powerscourt, wlio very kindly conducted 

 the members through the mansion house. 

 The magnificent rooms and halls were a source 

 r)f wonder and admiration, while intense in- 

 terest was added to the four l)y the presence 



of Lord Powerscourt, who kindly explained the 

 history and origin of the beautiful j^aintings, 

 wonderful ceilings, and other objects of art 

 contained therein, many of them brought from 

 far countries by Lord Powerscourt 's ancestors. 

 Not the least interesting was an immense array 

 of war trophies collected by Lord Powerscomt 

 on the battlefields of France and the Darda- 

 nelles during the late war when serving with 

 his regiment. At the conclusion of this de- 

 liglitful tour the members were kindly enter- 

 tained to a bountiful tea on the terrace, to 

 which tliey were ready to do amj)le justice. 



The return to Dublin was accomjjlished 

 witliout incident, and it was the unanimous 

 opinion of all present that the outing had been 

 one of the most enjoyable in the annals of the 

 Club. Visitor. 



In the North, 



To the gardener whose time is mostly spent in 

 the Dublin district a visit to the north is always 

 a pleasure and an inspiration. The gardeners 

 of the north, whether professionals or ow-ners, 

 are enthusiasts, and, moreover, appear to enjoy 

 a visit from anyone interested in plants and 

 gardens. 



In the first week of -June a garden still I'etains 

 miich of its vernal fairness — in the north there 

 was no lack of beauty and interest. 



The first garden visited w;is at The Bush, 

 near Antrim, the home, as many of our readers 

 know, of ■Mr. H. D. M. J^arton, and the rock 

 garden is something to remember. The follow- 

 ing plants were noted at random as we wandered 

 through the glades and valleys of the rockery, 

 which covers at j)resent just about one acre: — 



/'. ]]'(ir(Hi. — Tile Bush variety is a handsome 

 and stril'ini; jilaiit, ipiite 2 feet high, bearing 

 handsome und)els of sweet-scented flowers, a 

 shade jtaler than the type, but the flower stems 

 are nuich taller. Cyprepediuni maciantJion, 

 with its dark rose-coloured "pouches," was 

 doing well on a moist, shady ban!';, in company 

 witb. ('. r«/rrf>///.s. 



r utddria grandifloid , witli pi^ndulous yellow 

 flowers, flourishes near by. Silrnr .l.s/rr/r/.s, 

 though not uncommon, was very vigorous and 

 sti-iking, with its heads of diU'k I'ed flowei's ; and 

 not far away the dwarf RUoiloiUniiiini h'n mtx- 

 chaticion, about 4 inches liigh, but a foot 

 across, was carrying several rosy-red, wide-open 

 flowers. This tiny species evidently enjoys a 

 cool, moist soil, and spreads by means of under- 

 ground runners. .Mi-. Lartfin lielieves that Rh . 

 Ka)iiisc]i(iliciini sliould be planted in a cool, 

 shady position in suitable soil, and left alone. 

 On the opposite side of this little ravine, and 

 exposed to the sun, J.cvinid Iloirrllii flourishes 



