IRISH GARDENING 



6i 



C'lTiuiANTS. — Spray llu' Ciinant trees with weak 

 l)arattiii eiiuilsion where tlic currant moth is 

 t r()iil)les()iiie. 



Big Hun on Black Cuhuants. — Where this pest is 

 causin<r the loss of the crops, si>ray as per direction 

 witli Siilphinette, the new preparation prepared by 

 the Ahol Firm, of Yalding. Ki^nt. 



The Feaji Miuge (Diplosis Fyrivora) is l)ecom- 

 ing a great nuisance, and everything possible 

 should be done to prevent attacks. Spray with 

 weak paraffin emulsion, thoroughly drench the 

 trees, and give the soil a dressing of fresh Kainet. 



Orchards. Apple Trees. — Keep the hoe busy 

 between the trees, and do not allow any weeds to 

 get established. Any trees newly planted may re- 

 quire a thorough soaking of water. Be on the 

 watch for aphis and all other pests, and take steps 

 to exterminate them at once. Keep the clay around 

 grafts well sprayed twice a day during dry weather. 



Flower Garden and Pleasure Grounds. 



Calceolarias. — Although not grown nearly so ex- 

 tensively as a few years ago. Calceolarias may still 

 be used very effectively if the right position is 

 chosen for them. A shady border that has been 

 well manured during the winter and with fairly 

 rich soil should suit them well. Lift carefully with 

 a good l)all and plant firmly about nine inches 

 apart. Shade from bright sini and on no account 

 allow them to suffer from want of water. Edge 

 the liorders with a blue viola. A few standards 

 planted thinly of C. amplc.r'icaulis will break the 

 flatness. 



Pentstemons. — The earlier Pentstemons are 

 planted in their permanent quarters the better the 

 display. Lift carefully and plant in good, rich soil. 

 Where they are included in the bedding scheme, 

 the beds should have lieen trenched and well 

 manured during the winter. When used in the 

 mixed borders, plant in groups to harmonise with 

 their neighbours. If a large border can l)e en- 

 tirely devoted to them, use a good selection of the 

 smaller flowering varieties to enhance the magni- 

 ficent spikes of the large types. P. cinnpaniihifa 

 requires severe pruning. 



Gladiolus. — Plant the corms on a rich i)iece of 

 ground twelve inches ajjart and three inches deep. 

 Place a little sand under each corm and stake and 

 tie each plant securely as it grows. They are very 

 effective in the mixed border planted in sevens and 

 nines. Carpet the ground with " Little Dorrit " 

 Alyssum. 



Hollyhocks. — Keep young seedling Hollyhocks 

 growing steadily. Give them a shift into larger 

 pots as they l)ecome filled with roots. Plants raised 

 last autunni may now be ])lanted in their per- 

 manent quarters 



fiOBELiA Cardinalis. — This herbaceous Lobelia 

 and its varieties that have l)een wintered in frames 

 may now be divided and planted in rather l)old 

 groups. It is very effective ])lanted with Hydran- 

 (je<t piiiiicuhifd as a foil. Tlie latter requires hard 

 pruning to ol)tain good trusses of flower. 



Hardy Annuals. — Make another sowing of 

 Chinese Asters, ten-week stocks; Alyssum, Mari- 

 golds, Phlox Drummondi, Annual Chrysanthe- 

 mum, Jhacliycome and Calliopsis. These when 

 required in large quantities are best raised in cold 

 frames. Draw shallow drills and lightly cover the 

 seed with a fine sandy compost. Cover the lights 

 with mats till the seedlings are through and prick 

 out into other frames as soon as ready. Sow 

 Nemesia, Scabious, Salpiglossus, Cosmias and 

 Zinnias in moist heat in boxes. Prick out when 



ready and gradually harden. The following varie- 

 ties are best sown where they are intended to flower 

 Carefully prepare each station, sow thinly and 

 evenly, and when ther, Seedlings are well up thin 

 according to the size attained. MHien filling the 

 spaces in the mixed Ijorders. be carefid of -colours, 

 heiglits and time of flowering. Try to get the various 

 groups irregular and drifting' into each other, 

 Lupinus hybridus atrococcineus, scarlet and white 

 tipped, o feet; L. mutabilis, blue and white, 3 feet; 

 L. Harfcwegi albus, white, 2 feet; L. Hartwegi 

 coelestinus, sky blue, 2 feet; L. albo coceineus, 

 rose and white. 2 feet; Lavatera loveliness and L. 

 rosea splendens and L. trimestris. all '.i to 5 feet; 

 the stock flowering Larkspur, 2 to o feet; Nigella, 

 Sweet Sultan, Cornflowers, Coreopsis and Calen- 

 dulas, 2 to 3 feet; for the front rows and spaces 

 Mignonette, Linarias, Eschscholtzia, Nemophila, 

 Sajjonaria, Candytuft, Godetia and Phacelia 

 campanularia. Shirley Poppies are best given a 

 border to themselves and thinned to quite twelve 

 inches apart. Place a few light hazel spray sticks 

 through the border for support before they grow 

 too tall. They also look well sown through the 

 wild and woodland garden. 



Begonias. — Tubers for the sunnner bedding 

 should now be started in frames in good soil with 

 plenty of leaf soil and sand added. Keep the frames 

 well aired, shutting them up about 2 o'clock of a 

 fine day to encourage growth. Endeavour to obtain 

 short, stocky growth. Cover the lights at night 

 should the glass fall l)elow .38 degrees. The finer 

 varieties, such as Lafayette, Argus, &c.. require to 

 be placed in l)Oxes and placed in a warm house. 

 These varieties must be y,ery carefully watered. A 

 beautiful bed is Begonia Lalia. and carpeted with 

 colours Verschaff'eti. like shot silk. 



Summer Bedding Plants. — Begin to harden off 

 the Zonals, Marguerites. Fuchsias, Grevilleas, Celo- 

 sias, Cannas, and all other plants required for the 

 liedding. 



VioL.AS and Pansies.— These plants that were 

 rooted last autunm are now in good condition for 

 transferring to their permanent quarters. Where 

 intended for the sunnner display keep all flowers 

 picked off at present. 



Violets.— Violets having practically finished 

 flowering for the season, preparations should be 

 made for forming the new beds by planting the 

 young rooted offsets, or where cuttings were in- 

 serted last autunm these will require to be re- 

 planted. Choose a rich, shady border, with plenty 

 of leaf soil and sand worked into the soil. These 

 crowns will form the flowering plants for next 

 winter's flowering. Plant the single varieties, such 

 as Princess of Wales, eighteen inches part, and the 

 double varieties twelve inclies. Marie Louise is 

 still one of the very best, and Comte De Brazza 

 the best Double White. Do not allow the plants to 

 suffer from drought, and spray them over with soot 

 water to keep red spider down. 



Rock Garden.^TIic rock garden is now very 

 bright and gay. Take note of everything flowering, 

 and see that all are correctly labelled, and that the 

 whole scheme of planting is in harmony. Choice 

 Alpines may now safely be planted. Keep every 

 weed destroyed, all dead flowers, &c., removed, and 

 the whole kept neat and clean. 



Ivy on Walls, &c.— This now requires its annual 

 clipping. By this means its appearance is greatly 

 unproved, and is kept clean and in good condition." 



fjAWNS.—Mowing now requires attention every 

 week. Nothing is gained by allowing the grass to 

 become too long. Reverse the order of cutting 

 each week and see that all adjustments are correct 



