IRISH GARDENING 



79 



jiiowtlis for each ]>huit. Put in a strong stake at 

 planting time and keep the shoots secairely tied. A 

 good nudching of manure is very beneficial in hot 

 weather. All the types are most useful for cutting, 

 and can l)e had in colours to suit everyone's taste. 

 The Single and Pteony flowered are very l)eautiful. 



Rock Garden. — The rock garden is now at its Itest. 

 Tlie Mossy Saxifrages, Guildford Seedling Vivid, 

 Mrs. I^loyd Edwards and Rose Beauty are striking 

 examples. Aubrietia Dr. Mules, I^avender, Fire 

 King, Lloyd Edwards, Moorheimei, and Sou. de 

 H. Ingram are the best of their respective colours. 

 Gentiana acaulis opened its first flowers here on 

 March 21st, despite it havuig been removed and 

 replanted last autunui. The subulata Phloxes, 

 such as Vivid, Daisy Hill and Brightness, are 

 beautiful, and many other plants too numerous to 

 mention. See that nothing suffers from drought, 

 and keep everything clean and tidy. Where moss 

 is growing over the stones this should receive an 

 occasional watering. Try to obtain a natural ap- 

 pearance in all tilings. Where bulbs are included 

 ni the scheme of planting allow the foliage to die 

 naturally. Any vacant spaces may be planted 1o 

 advantage with Dianthus, Phacelia, and Alyssum, 

 Little Dorret and similar plants. Many plants are 

 now easily propagated by cuttings. Shade Ramon- 

 dias from strong sun. Our Ramondias opened their 

 first flowers on April 2nd this season. 



Spanish and English Iris. — A good dressing of 

 fowl manure worked in between the rows will 

 greatly benefit these beautiful Irises, and as they 

 are so useful for cutting after the Tulips are over, 

 they should be given every encouragement. Fail- 

 ing a supply of the above, the following raw 

 chemicals are good : — Superphosphate of lime and 

 Sulphate of anmionia, at the rate of two ounces to 

 the square yard, will prove beneficial. Keep the 

 hoe busy between the lines and keep down all 

 seedling weeds. 



Roses. — Keep a sharp look out for aphis, spray- 

 ing with Quassia Extract inmiediately any trace of 

 this pest is seen. Wliere caterpillars are trouble- 

 some they must be handpicked. .rWhen extra good 

 ))looms are required disbudding will take consider- 

 able time. Hoe between the plants every week, 

 and remove all suckers. Where carpeting plants 

 are used, see that they do not encroach on to the 

 roses themselves. 



Herbaceous Borders. — Fill ui),all vacancies with 

 ainiuals and thin the annuals sown outside last 

 month. Allow them plenty of room. Staking will 

 now require to be thoroughly done. Endeavour to 

 obtain each group and set of plants as natural as 

 possil)le, so that the sticks are not conspicuous. 

 When single stakes are used place them at tlie back 

 of the plant. They require to be well sharpened. 

 In borders that are for effect thin the shoots down, 

 just allowing them to cover their allotted space. 

 For the centre and front groups hazel sticks pre- 

 pared as for staking Peas are as good as anything. 

 Keeping the tops under the flower spikes and 

 trusses; for the Aster Border use five fairly strong 

 stakes to each plant, and tie one growth "to each 

 in an outward direction. For the Phlox nnich 

 thinner and shorter sticks are, required, but five or 

 seven are sufficient to obtain the desired result. 

 When all is finished run the hoe over and rake off 

 all stones, &c., leaving the whole smart and well 

 cared for. 



Tree Peonies. — The Moutan Pseony will greatly 

 improve if given a good top-dressing of manure 

 before opening its gorgeous blooms. They must be 

 carefully watched now, and given protection if 

 there is the slightest sign of frost or keen, cutting 

 winds. Do not allow any suckers from the roots.' 



Box Edgings. — As soon as all danger of frosts are 

 over box edgings should be clipped with shears, 

 preferably small, especially for edgings. This 

 operation repays for time spent in getting them 

 level and true. Start from the inside; then take 

 the outside, finishing with the top. Clean up before 

 leaving for the day. 



Holly Trees. — Many people advocate planting 

 Hollies this month. A few years ago I planted a 

 complete collection as near as possible, and glad 

 to say we did not lose a, single tree, although many 

 were large specimens. 'They were kept shaded and 

 well syringed. 



Flowering Shrubs. — Many choice shrubs re- 

 quire pruning inmiediately after they have 

 flowered, others slight thinning. Remove all the 

 old flowering trusses from Rhododendrons, 

 Azaleas, Lilacs, &c., as soon as the flowers are over, 

 and if showing signs of drought give a thorough 

 soaking. Keep all creepers thinly' trained, cover- 

 ing whatever space they are intended to. Cut 

 Clematis moutdnu back after flowering if getting 

 out of bounds. 



Southern and Western Counties. 



By J. Matthews, The Gardens, Tourin, Cappoquin, 

 Co. W^aterford. 



The Kitchen Garden. 

 May is one of the busiest months of the year for the 

 gardener, especially in the kitchen garden, where 

 everything seems to require attention at the same 

 time. 



Weeds will be growing apace, and probably 

 making more headway than the crops. A frequent 

 use of the hoe or grubber is necessary to keep these 

 in check, which also aots beneficially to the crops, 

 promoting quicker growth and in dry weather the 

 loose soil acts as a dry mulch retaining the 

 moisture about the roots'. 



Carrots, Parsnips, Onions and Turnips will be 

 making good progress now, and early thinning is 

 advisable to prevent seedlings getting drawn and 

 weak. After the thinning give them a dusting of 

 soot and nm the hoe along the drills. 



Asparagus should be bearing well, and may re- 

 quire applications of liquid manure with an occa- 

 sional dressing of salt. Care should be taken not 

 to injure the crowns when cutting the stems. 



Broccoli.— The final sowing of the late varieties 

 should be made now for cutting in April, May and 

 June next year. Make another sowing of Cabbage 

 and Savoys at the same time. These will come in 

 useful for late cutting. 



Beetroot.— The main cro]) can be sown about tlie 

 middle of the month on fairly rich ground which 

 was well treated for a previous crop. Medium-sized 

 roots should be the aim, as large, coarse rof)ts are 

 unsuitable for table. 



Thoroughly ])reak u]> tlif «oil and rake down to 

 a fine surface, at tiie same time removing as many 

 stones as possible. Draw drills 15 inches apart and 

 2 inches deep; drop two or three seeds at intervals 

 of 8 inches, cover in with the feet, treading down 

 gently, finishing off neatly with the rake. When 

 about 2 inches high thin out all but the strongest. 

 Beet will bear transplanting, and should any 

 blanks occur fill up with the thinnings in showery 

 weather. In some localities [)irds are very destruc- 

 tive among the seedlings and should be watched; 

 sparrows are the worst offenders. 



Celery.— Trenches for this crop should be pre- 

 pared early this month. For single lines, which I 

 consider the most c'onvenient for earthing-up, make 



