48 



IRISH GARDKNlNG 



(ivcr tlu' leaves ol tliOi^(> fit to use, ov lift and store 

 in a ciKil, dark slied. 



Kiinn Gahdkn. 



Fig trei'S on walls will requirr attriition hrtnii' 

 growth starts. Keniove as nuirh of the okl wikki 

 as possible, tying in the young shoots well apait, 

 at least ten or tAvelve inches. If planted in re- 

 stricted borders, as they should be, remove a 

 portion of the top soil, renewing with good fil)rous 

 loam, in which some old lime rul)l)le and crushed 

 bones may be Uiixed. Make ])rei);uations to pro- 

 tect wall trees coming into flower in case of frost. 

 strawberry nets and tiffany suits the purpose, but 

 one nuist" use wliat material is at hand. What- 

 ever covering is brought into use make it secure 

 in a way that the wind cannot blow it against the 

 blossom. Bemove tiffany in the day time; the nets 

 may be left. If spraying has to be done yet, push 

 on the work when conditions admit. Some of the 

 early trees are too far advanced now, but it will 

 he quite safe on late flowering sorts. Nailing and 

 tying up of wall trees will still claim attention, 

 and nuist be completed before the buds get too far 

 on. otherwise much damage will be done. 



Towards the end of the month grafting may be 

 taken in hand. Most of this work is left in the 

 nurserymen's hands, Init it is interesting to 

 operate on a few at home. Crown grafting is the 

 most simple method. Trees should have been 

 headed down last month as advised, but a fresh 

 cut should be made again before inserting the 

 scions. If grafting wax is used protect with some 

 moss against the hot sun, which causes it to run 

 off, admitting the air to the wound. 



Carry out the topdressing of trees requiring 

 assistance with well decayed nuxnure, also the 

 mulching of Strawberiies when the ground is dry. 



Peach trees in flower under glass should be 

 kept in a fairly dry atmosphere, spreading the 

 pollen with a rabbit tail gently drawn across the 

 Howers, or tapping the wires about mid-day. 1 

 have also used the syringe, giving a fine mint- 

 like spray of tepid water on bright days; care 

 must be taken not to drench the trees. This is a 

 qiucker method where many trees have to be gone 

 over and the pollen is distributed equally as well. 

 Keep later trees as cool as possible; open night 

 and day. Careful attention to Strawberries in pots 

 with the watering can is necessary. I.ook over 

 them two or three times daily; feed with liquid 

 manure when the trusses are showing, and use the 

 syringe freely to ward off attacks of Red Spider. 

 Pleasure Grounbs. 



Owing to the continual stormy weather experi- 

 enced occasional cleaning up of dead tree branches 

 from the lawn and walks will be necessary to keep 

 a tidv appearance. Many of the early Daffodils 

 will l)e in flower now. lending some colour to the 

 surroundings with their various shades of yellow. 

 Polyanthus and Ericas, too, are bright patches. 

 and a few Rhododendrons are in full blow. When 

 bull)S are grown in beds or borders in the flower 

 garden attend to the staking and tying in good 

 time. Such bulbs as Tulips and Hyacinths require 

 staking as soon as the flower stalks are up, other- 

 wise the whole beauty of the beds may be blown 

 away, perhaps in a night. Run the hoe throiu'h 

 the beds to break up the surface. Neatly trim the 

 grass edges, making all smart and tidy. 



This is a good time to give lawns and tennis 

 courts some assistance in the w^ay of a topdress- 

 ing. Burnt soil, wood ashes, soot and a liberal 

 dusting of bone-meal makes a capital dressing. 

 Put the whole material through a quarter-inch 



riddle, well mi.xing it, and distrilnite evenly over 

 the surface; afterwards give a good raking with 

 the iron rake, finishing off with the roller. 

 Towards the end <>f the monlli a beginning may be 

 made at Rose pruning. Hyorid I'erpetuals should 

 lirst I.e taken in hand, following on with Hybrid 

 Tea.-. It is unnecesary for me to go into details 

 on the matter of Rose priuiing, as it de])ends 

 what purpose is in view — whether exhibition or 

 garden decoration. In the latter hard cutting 

 hack is not required, simply cutting out weak, un- 

 ripened shoots and shortening the remainder; m 

 the former case the exhibitoi uses stronger 

 measures. When pruning is completed give the 

 beds a dressing of well-rotted manure or bone- 

 meal, forking it in just lurder the surface of th(> 

 soil, leaving the beds neat and tidy. Newly 

 planted Roses are better cut to the groimd, induc- 

 ing them to make strong, healthy wood as a 

 foundation for future displays. 



Carnations, Pinks and Violas wintered in cola 

 frames can be put out in their flowering qiuirters 

 now if soil conditions allow. Plants in the rock 

 garden are getting active, and before much headway 

 IS made a final clean up is advisable. Stir the soil 

 around the plants, adding some fresh soil when 

 required. Sow Asters, Stocks and such half-hardy 

 annuals as may be used in the beddiiig scheme. 

 Sow in pans or boxes of light soil placed in gentle 

 heat, removing to cooler quarters near the glass 

 on their appearance through the soil. 



Plant up vacancies in the herbaceous borders 

 either with yoiuig plants or, splitting up the old 

 ones, use the outside pieces of the chunps. If 

 forking is not completed get such work finished. 

 Cuttings of autumn-flowering Chrysanthemums 

 should be got in this month; these, when planted 

 in large masses, make a fine display from August 

 to October. 



Box up tuberous Begonias and start into 

 growth ; an early vinery or peach-house is a good 

 place. 



W^eeds will make an appearance on walks and 

 drives, and if dry weather prevails get them hoed 

 and edged. If this is carried out now nnich labour 

 will be saved later on. 



Prunus Pissardii. 



Rarely have I seen this old favourite nuxking such 

 a display as it is doing this year, and the mild, 

 showery weather experienced up till the time of 

 writing has been perfectly ideal for the rapid ex- 

 pansion of the long, heavily-laden branches of 

 flowers. 



Doubtless, last season's dry summer had a good 

 deal to do with the development of such a wealth 

 of fruit buds. 



This tree usiuilly falls a prey to the ravages of 

 bullfinches, but apparently this season has escaped 

 their attention altogether. 



The lower, and consequently older, branches 

 have shared a fate common to the majority of trees 

 and shrubs in this locality by becoming covered 

 with the insidious growth of lichen, but the vicious 

 I'ffects of this parasite has in this particular case, 

 for the time being at least, turned into a charm, 

 and the decorative effects can be better imagined 

 than described. However, in spite of its affiction, 

 the tree continues to throw out strong flowering 

 wood. 



Few trees add a greater interest and charm to 

 our pleasiu-e grounds and woodland walks than do 

 the many species and varieties of the uiunerous 

 genera included in the Nat. Order of Rosacefe. 



E. B., Fota. 



