IRISH GARDENING 



91 



and when grown into large bushes, as they appear 

 likely to do, will be very effective. 



liuhiis deliriosus, with large pure white flowers, 

 is a shrub of the first rank, and never fails to win 

 admirers. From early May to the middle of the 

 niontli it made quite a display, though suffering 

 somewhat from the weather. Like most early 

 flowering shrubs, it should be pruned after flower- 

 ing, cutting back the flowering shoots to where 

 young growths are pushing forth lower down on 

 "the branches. 



fed iiotli uses, so welcome with their blue flowers, 

 a colour not connuon in shrubs, are conspicuous 

 in May. In most localities they relish sheher, and 

 where it is found impossible to grow them in the 

 open they should })e planted against wails where 



I " ' "' 



Allotments. 



Potato Spraying.— It may safely be said that a 

 good deal of the potato spraying "on allotments has 

 not achieved the result desired. The preparation 

 of the material and its application have often been 

 done in a haphazard manner. Leaflet No. 14, 

 issued by the Department of Agriculture and Tech- 

 nical Instruction for Ireland, explains in a concise 

 manner all that is required, and may be obtained, 

 post free, on request. Mliat is generally known as 

 the 1 per cent, mixture — viz., half the strength 

 formerly used — has given equally as good results 

 as the stronger solution, and in view of the cost 

 of materials the weaker solution is reconnnendeci. 



Pentstemon Scouleri. 

 A good plant for the idckei'V. flowers light lilar. 



available. Following C. riijidiis, which flowered in 

 March and April, th yisifiorus, VelUhi'i, Ihtsselli- 

 (inits, and paplllosus are now blooming, all in 

 shades of blue, and discernible at once among 

 other shrubs in the garden. 



Olearid steJluJata is a beautiful shrub in Irish 

 gardens. It is generally considered quite hardy, 

 but in other parts where not so successful, it 

 should he tried against a wall, where it succeeds 

 admiral)ly. The flowers, or really flower heads 

 ))eing a composite, are pure white, and remain in 

 bloom for w'eeks; cuttings root readily during 

 summer. 



l{h 0(1 oil end you s are prominent in May, where a 

 good collection is grown, though the hyl)rids are, 

 perhaps, more plentiful in June. 



Chief among those flowering in May were lih . 

 Boylei, a beautiful shrub, with deep red flowers, 

 tiell-shaped, and produced in clusters of three to 

 five; Bh. erul>escens, clusters of almost white 

 flowers, with a faint pink suffusion; lUi. Loderi 

 I'utience, w'ith enormous clusters of lovely 

 ])ale-pink flowers; I'liih Pearl, well known, and 

 always admired; lili. fr'iflorum, with pale yellow 

 flowers, not particularly striking, but contrasting 

 well with the others. 



Arbor. 



The potatoes should be sprayed at least twice. In 

 Ireland blight is present every year, more or less, 

 and even if comparative imnuniity was enjoyed in 

 some districts last year owing to the dry season, 

 it is wise to be prepared for less fortunate seasons. 



Celery. — To obtain good table celery is not an 

 easy matter for allotment holders, and in most 

 cases they are forced to resort to inferior quality, 

 chiefly valuable for flavouring soup, for which this 

 vegetable is admirably adapted. Plants which 

 have been raised in heat and transplanted into 

 boxes or frames should be hardened by exposure, 

 so that they may be planted in the trenches. 

 Celery is susceptible to drought and dry soil, and 

 for this reason, when the plants have to be pur- 

 chased in the markets without soil, . constant 

 watering may be necessary before the plants begin 

 to grow. Sometimes rough shading cast over the 

 trenches help the Celery until it becomes estab- 

 lished in its new quarters. If the plants are in 

 boxes they should be lifted with plenty of soil and 

 carefully transplanted. 



Seed Sowing. — Garden Peas may still be sown 

 for late crops. Also, it is not too late to sow seeds 

 of Swede and White Turnips, Carrots, French and 

 Runner Beans. The Globe varieties of Beet are 

 useful for sowing during the month. Lettuce 



