IRISH GARDENING 



Correspondence. 



Dear Sir, — Wliile we are all contemplating' the 

 report of the Forestry Commission, and hoping- that it 

 will be acted on, mig-ht I sug-g-est throiig^h your columns 

 a small scheme which, if adopted, migfht enhance the 

 beauty of our main roads, and possibly produce at a 

 future date some valuable timber. While we are waiting- 

 for some one to do a g-reat deal of good for us, mig-ht 

 we not do a little for ourselves. Anyone who has 

 traversed our county and most of the adjoining- counties 

 will, I think, agree that the bye-ways are, as a rule, 

 more picturesque than the main roads, and, as a rule, 

 are better wooded. Some of these main roads are blank 

 from end to end, like the Ashbourne Road, others are in 

 places bleak like the Naas Road, while all of them, even 

 the Bray Road, have some unsheltered spaces. Few of 

 these old coach roads are now steam-rolled out to the 

 margins, and they have spaces of varying- depth along- 

 their sides, where the road sweeping-s and mud are now 

 thrown. I sug-g-est that these spaces should be planted. 

 How? By whom ? 



Let me further sugg-est a mode, the practicability of 

 which I invite your readers to discuss — namely^ to form 

 a committee of the principal residents, some members of 

 the County Council, and, say, the County Surveyor and 

 the Assistant County Surveyor ; which committee should 

 meet and g^et the scheme in shape during- the summer, 

 and, it necessary, form sub-committees for the separate 

 roads and districts, so that the matter would be in work- 

 ing- order by the planting- season. If a small beg^inning- 

 were made this year more mig-ht be done next year, 

 and in time all the road margins mig-ht be planted ; the 

 timber vested in the County Council, and, possibly, that 

 far-seeing- body might see that the acquisition of this 

 asset which, at some future date, would be, no doubt, 

 very valuable, would repay the expense of labour, for 

 looking- after, pruning-, &c. 



As to finance, I hardly think this would arise, as I 

 am sure the residents would, in most cases, supply the 

 young- trees and labour to plant them ; and expert 

 advice could be obtained by asking- the cc^-operation of 

 the " Department" with the committee. 



This scheme may be impracticable, though it seems 

 to me that, with co-operation and g-ood-will, it mig-ht be 

 carried out. Why would residents not try to improve 

 their own neighbourhood and their own property. The 

 County Council is far too practical a body to raise any 

 objection. The effort to start such a scheme ought to 

 be small, and, if it should prove successful, I can conceive 

 the envy with which our metropolitan county would be 

 viewed. Anyone that has faced a south-west gale on a 

 winter's night on the Ashbourne Road would not only 



Summer Bedding. 



ON account of the quantity of worthless seedlings 

 now advertised, which are merelj- taken from 

 seed boxes and sold at prices for which it is not 

 possible to grow good stuff, care should be taken when 

 buying to procure sturdy plants which have been trans- 

 planted from the seed beds or grown singly in pots. 

 In Geraniums, for example, it is useless to buy rooted 

 cuttings from boxes, as they will take the most of the 

 summi-r to become plants. 



It is claimed by Messrs. Watson & Sons, Ltd., 

 Clontarf Nurseries, Dublin, that all their Geraniums, 

 Begonias, and many other such plants are established 

 in small pots, and packed for despatch with balls of soil 

 intact ; whilst seedlings, such as Asters and other 

 annuals, are transplanted, nursed in cold frames, and 

 finally hardened off. By devoting personal attention to 

 their clients' orders and instructions Messrs. Watson 

 strive to ensure complete satisfaction. Packing is a 

 feature, as they do not believe in growing good stuff 

 and spoiling it by lack of care when being despatched. 

 Of course the Railway Companies are often responsible 

 for damage to perishable plants no matter how well 

 packed, and, before taking delivery, purchasers should 

 assure themselves that the packages have not been 

 damaged or pilfered. If injured in any way the Railway 

 Company will not be accountable for loss unless the 

 injury is specified when sig-ning for the goods or the 

 delivery sheet marked "Not Examined." 



Messrs. Watson & Sons have published a neat 

 booklet about Summer Bedding Plants which they will 

 post without charge to any applicant. 



When in BELFAST, Lunch or Dine at 



YE OLDE CASTLE, 

 CASTLE PLACE. 



The Finest Restaurant in Ireland- 



Telephone 1250. Wires : " Diet, Belfast." 



CROSSES "GARDEN FERTILISER, 



ft 



GARDEN SEEDS, 



Alex. CROSS & SONS, Ltd., 



Horticultural Specialists, 



GLASGOW. 



(Almost 100 YEARS Established.) 



AND INSECTICIDES. 



On Sale by ALL SEEDSMEN. 



