IRISH GARDENING. 



193 



The Flower Garden. 



ByJ. G. Toner, Horticultural Instructor, Co. Monaghan. 



CHRYSANTHEMUMS.— By this period the bloom 

 of the bulk of the chrysanthemums will be over, 

 and the usefulness of the later batch will be 

 apparent. Sometimes this phase of their culture does 

 not receive sufficient attention, but if an oversig'ht of 

 this nature occurs one season it is easily remedied in 

 the succeeding- year. The time has arrived ag-ain for 

 taking- cuttings, and if large blooms are required no time 

 should be lost. It is not always easy to obtain really 

 good cuttings. Sometimes it is the fault of the variety, 

 and again it can be traced to the fact of the plants 

 when housed being placed too close tog-ether, the con- 

 sequence being- that the young: shoots are very weak 

 and quite unfit to make really good plants. The best 

 cuttings are those that push through the siol. Stem 

 cuttings should be avoided. Make them about three 

 inches long, and dibble in either sing:ly or several in 

 light sandy soil in say, three inch pots ; water g-ently, and 

 place in frame or boxes covered with glass, and keep 

 close for some time. A slig-ht warmth will induce quick 

 rooting, but a little will go a long way. 



Such subjects as early cinerarias, primulas, cyclamens, 

 and Roman hyacinths will now be making the dull days 

 brighter, and considerable skill will be required to keep 

 the bloom in good condition as long as possible, a com- 

 fortable temperature combined with judicious ventilation 

 being always necessary. 



Much cooler conditions will suit show pelargoniums 

 and calceolarias. These will do well in cool houses. 

 If g-rowing- in pits or frames, materials must always be 

 at hand to afford protection from frost. Genistas, 

 azaleas, and arum lilies may be brought on gently now in 

 slig-ht heat. If they have been well treated during sum- 

 mer they will pay for all the trouble. 



Examine all potted bulbs that were plunged to make 

 their early growth, and remove the more forward. Work 

 of this nature requires constant attentic)n, because when 

 a mixed lot is in course of treatment many varieties 

 will be fit for removal before others. 



Calculate as nicely as possible the matter of succes- 

 sion. It is very g-ratifying to have a fresh batch coming- 

 into bloom just as the preceding- one is on the wane. 



At this season it is useful to look back on the past 

 year's work and think out improved plans for the future. 

 Soils for potting may be prepared, pots washed, boxes 

 made ; they are always handy and useful fc)r pricking- out 

 seedlings. These and many other preparations can be 

 made in view of the busy spring and summer work. 



Out-door work will consist of planting, pruning, and 

 training climbers. Lawns, tennis-grounds, &c. may 

 require attention, bare spots re-turfed, levelling up 

 where necessary ; grass edgings may be improved 

 by the use of the iron. 



While the weather remains open and the soil in good 

 condition the planting of evergreen and deciduous shrubs 

 may be proceeded with. 



Alterations in herbaceous beds or borders, too, may 

 be made subject to the same conditions. 



On the principle that it is better late than never, bulbs 

 may still be planted, but their silent and unmistakable 

 protest in the way of growth already made will con- 

 vince the forgetful or careless that such work should 

 have been attended to long since. 



The Fruit Garden. 



By George Doolan, Instructor in Fruit Culture, 

 Department of Agriculture. 



DURING this dull month, when the days are short 

 and the atmosphere damp and chilly, pruning will 

 occupy most of the fruit-grower's time. Little 

 else can be done unless the weather be dry ; then, if the 

 soil be in a workable condition, much of the work re- 

 commended for last month may be carried out, but if the 

 soil is not in a fit state be'tter defer planting until 

 February or early March. Where such planting is con- 

 templated now is a good lime to prepare the soil, either 

 by digging deeply or ploughing, if a lot of planting has 

 to be done. Road-scraping should also be collected and 

 mixed with old decayed manure ; this will be a useful 

 addition to the soil placed about the roots of newly 

 planted trees. Now is a good time to prune and regulate 

 wall fruit trees, and no grower should omit to see that 

 his bush trees are firm in the ground, for at this time of 

 the year they sutTer when not properly tied or staked. 

 Press the soil firmly about the stem of the tree with the 

 foot. 



Pruning Old Orchard Trees.— Many old trees have 

 been allowed to run on for years without any attention in 

 the matter of pruning ; spraying and mulching may also 

 be added. Now, such trees, unless they are fairly good 

 bearers, are hardly worth taking in hand, but if they 

 bear well they are worthy of better treatment. The 

 fruit from such trees is usually small and poor in quality. 

 It can be vastly improved if the trees are judiciously 

 pruned and the top surface removed, and a mulch of 

 good manure placed over the roots. This work may be 

 done now or next month. The pruning consists in thin- 

 ning the branches where they are too thick. It is advisable 

 not to cut too severely, but to continue this thinning over 

 several years in preference to pruning all that may be 

 necessary in one season. Old trees that have not been 

 pruned for years often receive a check which they may 

 take years to get over, hence the saw or knife must be 

 used sparingly in such cases. Spraying to kill moss and 

 lichen is most important, but this subject will be dealt 

 with later. 



Fruit House.— Examine stored fruit, and remove any 

 showing signs of decay. This will prevent the disease 

 spreading to sound specimens. To keep fruit in per- 

 fection for a long period a cool, uniform temperature in 

 the fruit room is essential. 



Canker and American Blight.— These are often re- 

 ferred to, but not too often, as two worse pests it would 

 be difficult to conceive. They are to be seen almost 

 everywhere fruit trees are grown, and doing a lot of 

 injury to the apple especially. Young trees should be 



