April 12, 16.77. 1 



JOOBNAL OP aORTIGOLTDRB AND COTTAGE GABDENEE. 



273 



that are more easily cnltivated and better repay any extra 

 attention bsetowed on them. 



Aphis attacks the young growths, and thrips the raature 

 ehoots, both yielding to famigation with tobaooo. Mealy bng 

 seems to delight in this class of plants, bat it does not make 

 maoh headway when the plants are duly syringed, and it may 

 be destroyed by softsoap solutions. 



Propagation is eCteoted by cuttings of the yonng shoots when 

 rather tirm at the base, inserted in sandy soil in a brisk moist 

 heat and shaded from sun j also by seeds, which should be 

 sown as aoon as ripe.— G. Adbev. 



LI3M0RE CASTLE, 



SEAT OF THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE. 

 This is a residence truly of the "olden time," for it was 

 built by King John in the twelfth century on the ruins of 

 St. Carthagh Abbey. Many tales cluster round the locality, 



mountains. The terrace is flanked at either end by old 

 towers, the scene of many a sharp conflict in days of yore. 

 There is a good range of glass in the kitchen garden, a large 

 vinery, etovehouse, pita, greenhouse, &!. ; but these have 

 lately been undergoing extensive repairs, and the Vine border 

 has also been renewed, and a division placed in the vinery. 

 The castle garden is celebrated for some very fine Camellias, 

 and the houses show a fine stock of healthy-growing plants 

 of every kind. The spring bedding is on a somewhat ex- 

 tensive scale, and the large beds— one of a serpentine design, 

 borrowed from an old Irish misgal— look extremely handsome 

 at present. The gardens are nnder the able management of 

 Mr. David Jack. 



ASTERS. 

 It is well known that these are among the most favourite 

 flowers cultivated by amateurs for outdoor decoration in sum- 

 mer. Scmetimes they are planted in mixed borders, also in 



Fig. 3G.— LiSlIOBE CASTLE, 



but one fact is more worthy of remembrance than any of them. 

 Here was bora Kobert Boyle, one of the most learned of our 

 men of science, and one eo truly christian that it has been well 

 said he will always be deserving of the affection and admiration 

 of succeeding ages. 



The castle is on the verge of a rocky hill on the bank of the 

 river Blackwater, near the town of Lismore in the county of 

 Waterford, Ireland. The flower garden, familiarly known as 

 the Lower Garden, is not of very large extent, but is singularly 

 varied and beautiful, full of pleasing shrubberies and flowered 

 slopes. It has been in its arrangement and design almost a 

 work of chance, having been added to from time to time. A 

 high road once traversed its centre, and the terrace — which is 

 one of its chief ornaments, with two grand flower beds of 

 beautiful design — resulted from alterations in the edifice of the 

 castle. The finest trees in the garden are a splendid Cedar of 

 Lebanon, a good Deodar, and a noble avenue of Yews— very 

 tall and large trees, though only about ICO years old. Sikkim 

 Ilhododendrons flourish well in this mild and nheltered situa- 

 tion, as do all shrabs ; but it is rather too shady for bedding 

 plants, which are apt to run to leaf. 



The upper or kitchen garden hag a very fine terrace, com- 

 manding a beautiful view of Kaockmele, Down, and Comiagh 



rows or in small beds, and in all these ways they are easily 

 grown and eft'ective. 



A succession of Asters may be had by sowing the seed at 

 diSerent times. No time must now be lost in sowing the seed 

 to produce the earliest plants and flowers. Place a few rough 

 leaves at the bottom of a pan or small square box, and till up 

 the remainder with a mixture of loam, decayed leaves, and 

 sand ; press this down firmly, and then make small drills 

 about 'i inches apart and 1 inch deep with the linger ; sow the 

 seed thinly in these and then level the surface. If the soil is 

 damp do not give any water, but place the pan in a house or pit 

 with a heat of 50' or in a frame, and keep it close until the 

 young plants appear, after which give air on fine days. As 

 eoon as tho plants are large enough to handle prick them out 

 into a frame, under a hand-light, or into pans or boxes the 

 same as the seed was sown in. A little manure must be added 

 to the soil at this time; this treatment will be found to 

 furnish plants in excellent order for planting in their flowering 

 quarters by the middle of May. 



The ground in which they are finally planted must be open 

 and rich, as it is an important matter to secure free growth at 

 first to ensure fine blooms. I have no doubt many will have 

 Boen the plants cease growing for a time after Laving been 



