IRISH GARDENING. 



r6i 



October. 



The Month's Work. 



The Fruit Garden. 



By George Doolan, Instructor in Fruit Culture, 

 Department of Agriculture, 



ROOT-PRUNING.— Now is tiie time to carry out 

 this work, tiie advantages of wiiich are to check 

 undue luxuriance in growth, to promote the 

 formation of fruit spurs and fruit buds, and the con- 

 sequent fertility of the tree. 



Apple, pear, and plum trees which are growing very 

 vigforously and not bearing fruit should be treated, 

 but young trees will need to be treated differently to 

 older ones. In the case of young trees up to the age of 

 nine or ten years, lifting and replanting will give 

 sufficient check to bring them into bearing-. Care 

 must be taken, however, in lifting the trees to preserve 

 all the small roots. All broken roots should be cut with 

 a sharp knife ; downward roots also must be cut back. 

 A fork should be used in lifting the trees, removing- the 

 soil well out from the stem of the tree, and gradually 

 work onwards. In replanting, which may be done in 

 the same place or in fresh ground, do not put the tree 

 too deeply in the groimd ; fruitful roots like the surface. 

 Add a little fresh loam with lime rubble or road- 

 scrapings. Press the soil very firmly over the roots, 

 and drive a strong stake into the ground, to which the 

 tree should be tied with a hay-rope. This is very 

 necessary, as the tree uould otherwise be much injured 

 by winds. A mulch of manure over the surface of the 

 roots is of much benefit, and may be renewed in the 

 spring-. 



Old Trees. — In root-pruning old trees the operation 

 is most successful when portion of the roots are pruned, 

 and the rest done the following autumn. In this way 

 the tree dcies not get too severe a check. As in the 

 case of young trees great care must be taken to 

 preserve all the small and fibrous roots. Cirt only the 

 thick roots going deeply into the soil. When removing 

 the soil do not commence closer than five feet of the 

 tree, as there is a danger of injuring the small roots. 

 Add a little fresh loam with lime rubble, &c., about the 

 roots when covering- them, and make the soil very firm. 

 It is well to remember that root-pruning should not be 

 lightly taken in hand. There is always a danger, unless 

 an experienced person directs the work, of the roots 

 being hacked too severely and the tree permanently 

 injured. It must also be remembered that it is only the 

 vigorous, unfruitful trees should be root-pruned, and if 

 the work be judiciously carried out good results are 

 sure to follow. In two j-ears a crop maj- be expected. 

 Should any variety still refuse to bear cut it back and 

 graft with a good bearing variety. This, however, is 

 rarely necessarj-. 



Gathkrinc; P'ruit. — Many varieties of apples and 

 pears will, during this month, be fit to pick, and the 

 gathering and storing of all the finest fruit will require 

 close attention. To find out when fruit is fit raise it 

 g:ently, and if it parts from its hold readily it is ripe. 

 Another test is to cut the fruit through the centre, and 

 if the seeds be of a brown colour tlie crop may be taken 



as fit to pick. Nearly all varieties improve by being 

 stored some time before using-, especially dessert fruit. 

 Store only the best specimens, using all small and 

 blemished fruit. 



General Remarks.— Where old raspberry canes 

 have not been cut out have them removed immediately 

 and a dressing of manure placed on the surface. This 

 will be of great help to the new canes. Keep the 

 ground clear of weeds, and use the Dutch hoe whenever 

 possible. This year has not been so bad for weeds as 

 last season, and they have been kept very much in 

 check by the use of the hoe. Suckers arising from the 

 roots of plums and apples should be dug- out, and any 

 trees loosed by wind should be made firm by the foot, 

 and stakes placed to them if necessary. September 

 gales do a lot of harm to young standard trees that are 

 not fully established in the ground. Therefore, at this 

 season of the year the fruit-grower should go over his 

 trees and see whether they require attention. 



The Flower Garden. 



By J, G. Toner, Horticultural Instructor, Co. Monaghan. 



SHRUBBY CALCEOLARIAS.— The propag-ation of 

 these bright and useful plants may now be taken 

 in hand It is usual to put the cuttings in pits or 

 frames, but failing- these useful, it may be said, in- 

 dispensable appliances they may be successfully 

 managed in boxes placed in cool structures, a little 

 protection being afforded during hard frost. Any good 

 soil may be used, and plenty oi' sand should be added, 

 and also spread over the surface, so that in using- the 

 dibber, which may be blunt at the point, some of it will 

 be pressed down and form a suitable base for the 

 bottom of the cutting to rest on. Cuttings should not 

 be crowded, as this is often the cause of damping. 

 About three inches each way would be a suitable 

 distance, and they should be made quite firm and kept 

 somewhat close for some time afterwards. 



Housing Chrysanthemums.— A thorough washing 

 of the inside of houses intended for flowering chrysan- 

 themums should be given, using a cloth on the glass 

 and a scrubbing brush on the woodwork. Soft soap 

 and warm water will make the work easy and effective, 

 and, if possible, the arrangements of supports to plants 

 should be finished before they are put inside, and when 

 this is done a thorough fumigating will be necessary 

 and beneficial. On the opening of the flowers observe, 

 as far as possible, a fairly dry and even temperature 

 always, except in very severe weather, leaving some 

 ventilation, and always get through the watering as 

 early in the day as practicable, remembering, too, that 

 the slower the development of the bloom the finer they 

 will be. 



The potting up of hyacinths, narcissus and tulips, 

 if not seen to last month, must be done at once, and 

 the pots plunged according to directions given last 

 month. Early batches of freesias may be brought on 

 gently in a light position. 



