May 4, 1871. ] 



JOURNAL OP HOSTICULTUES AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 



323 



lake, and beyond, the new terraces rising tip to the mansion, 

 which is seen from here to great advantage. Oa the left 

 are groups of the Piceas, planted on the crest of the slope ; 

 these, when grown np, will form a pretty feature in the land- 

 scape. A piece of ground finely sheltered was here being pre- 

 pared for a collection of hardy fine-foliaged plants, snob as 

 several of the Palme, Bamboos, Aralias, especially Sieboldii, 

 which is a fine hardy plant here, Phormium tenas, &o. A 

 little farther on is a fine example of Cupressus macroearpa, 

 upwards of 40 feet high. This is decidedly one of the most 

 ornamental of Conifers, and particularly well suited for the 

 climate of Ireland. Still following the winding walk along the 

 lower part of the grounds, I noticed a very reverend group of 

 Scotch Firs, and dotted over the lawn many fine, healthy, 

 young Conifers, which are far too numerous tj mention. 



A little further on we reach tae level of the upper part of the 

 pleasure grounds from which we started. From here to the 

 south-west there is a delightful view of the upper part of the 

 Dargle Vale, Glencree, and the Wicklow mountains. A little 

 eastward we reich a rustic summer house, from which there is 

 a lovely view of sea and land over the vale of the D.-irgle to the 

 church spires of Bray, and far out to sea in a straight line to- 

 wards Holyhead. On the left from this point is a long noble 

 terrace, the western end of the new upper terrace in front of 

 the mansion. This is bounded on one side by a fine row of 

 Wellingtonias, about 16 feet high, in the rudest of health, and 

 the situation is very high and exposed. Five years ago these 

 trees seemed doomed to die. They all exhibited signs of sick- 

 ness, and several died outright. On examination it was found 

 that their roots were literally white with fungus, proceeding 

 from tha remains of t' e roots of some old Elm trees wh'ch had 

 stood there previously and bad been left in the ground. To 

 save the remaining trees, Mr. Dunn resorted to the bold ex- 

 periment of taking up each tree, pruning ofi every infested 

 piece of root, shating away every particle of soil, and even 

 washing the roots to make doubly sure, trenching over the 

 ground, and carefully picking out every piece of root or stick, 

 and replanting the trees in a few loads of fresh soil to start 

 them. Tear afier year since then they have improved, and are 

 now as healthy as need be. Is not this a lesson to those who 

 believe not in the evil effects of fungus at the roots of trees, 

 and its being caused by decaying pieces of roots, sticks, &o. ? 

 Mr. Dunn's success in clearing the fungus from the 'WelliDg- 

 topias led him to adopt the same method in order to battle 

 with the Vine aphis, and with happy results. 



Near this, on the way to the kitchen garden, are many more 

 Conifers of the rarer sorts — Picea grandis, Picea nohilis mag- 

 uifica, both very fine ; Cupressus cashmeriana, very elegant; 

 Thuja elegantissima, truly elegant ; two very handsome plants 

 of Thujopsis dolabrata and T. Ijetevirens ; Eetinospora filifera ; 

 a fine row of the pretty Thuja aurea; and a fine line of very 

 symmetrical trees of Cryptomeria japonici about 2-5 feet in 

 height. Here also were fine plants of Aralia Sieboldii, quite a 

 hardy evergreen, Cham;erops excelsa.Bimbusa gracilis, Aueuba 

 japonica loaded with berries, numbers of Camellias doing well, 

 Indian Azaleas, Ojmanthns ilioifolius, Qaercus glabra, a fine 

 evergreen, various kinds of Arbutus, &a. In the centre of this 

 lawn there is a pond fall of Wa'er Lilies, wi'h a fountain 

 throwing water to a height of 50 feet. This is surrounded by 

 a group of dolphins, spouting from their nostrils water which 

 falls in spray over the surface of the pond, producing a very 

 pretty efiect. 



Entering now the kitchen garden, a square of about two and 

 a half acres, surrounded by high walls, one is compelled to say, 

 that well cropped though it is, it is far too small for Powers- 

 court ; so I was pleased to hear that a new and more extensive 

 kitchen garden is being prepared, and Mr. Dunn will then be 

 able to do vegetables that justice which they deserve. From 

 the fountain just noticed runs a straight path through the 

 centre of the kitchen garden and flower garden up to the centre 

 front of the conservatory. This walk was planted with flowers 

 ribbon-fashion, and they were very eilectively and well arranged, 

 and hidden from the kitchen garden by a high wire trellis. 

 Various arches of Roses also are thrown over the walk, pre- 

 senting a beautiful vista. The new kitchen garden, which is 

 in course of formation, is very conveniently situated, and, 

 judging by the fine crops of Peas, Onions, Asparagus, Sea-kale,' 

 &c., which I saw growing there, it will be found very suitable. 

 Adjoining this is also a field of about four acres, which it is in- 

 tended to plant with all the best sorts of fruits suitable for 

 Ireland, which it shall be my duty to inspect at some fature day. 



Powerscourt is one of tho;e magnificent establishments that 



require to be seen to be thoroughly understood. Tarn we 

 this way or that, there is something fresh and interesting, and 

 the whole is so well cared for in a gardening point of view by 

 Mr. Dunn, that there is no room to criticise, and continual 

 praise is insipid. After partaking of Miss Dunn's kind hospi- 

 tality I had to bid my friends adieu. Crossing the Dargle by 

 an ancient and inconveniently narrow bridge, driving down 

 the south fide of the valley and through the famed gorge oii 

 the Dargle, the Paradise of the Dublin holiday folks, admiring 

 much the rich scenery of rock, wood, water, hill, and dale, I 

 was again at Bray. — B. 



WORK FOR THE ^TSEK. 



KITCHEN GABDEN. 



Pr.iCK out seedling Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Cabbages, and 

 Cauliflowers as soon as sufficiently large to enable you to do so. 

 Watch Bed, Carrots, Parsnips, and similar crops, and see that 

 they do not fall a prey to snails and slugs as soon as they 

 appear above ground, for the crops often fail from this cause, 

 and the seedsman is blamed for not supplying good seeds. 

 Where the attack has commenced, sow a quantity of soot and 

 lime mixed together over the crops attacked ; the best time 

 for doing this is either at dusk in the evening, or early in ths 

 morning. Cauliflowers, Cabbages, and Lettuces which have 

 been forwarded in heat must now be transplanted finally, and 

 attended to with water should the weather prove dry. Thin- 

 out Parsley, Spinach, Turnips, and all other advancing crops,, 

 and where Potatoes are above ground in the open quarters, as 

 is now tha case with all forward sorts, have the ground between 

 the rows forked-up at least 1 foot deep, which will prove of 

 great advantage to the crop. Water advancing crops of Ca-uli~ 

 flowers with liquid manure, either using the drainings from the 

 dung heap, or guano dissolved in water at the rate of 2 ozs. to 

 the gallon ; draw a little fresh soil to the stems of the plants 

 after the operation. 



FKUIT GAEDEy. 



Continue disbudding and thinning the young wood of Apricot, 

 Peacb, and even Plum trees, and retain no more wood than 

 can be laid-in without crowding. One well-ripened brp.ncji 

 which has been exposed to sun and air is worth six that have 

 been huddled together, and, consequently, are ill-matured. 

 Thin the fruit of Peaches and Nectarines where too thick,- 

 leaving double the number required for a crop till they are 

 stoned, when they must have their final thinning. 



FLOWER GAEDEN. 



The bright, beautifal, and varied hues of lovely green now 

 worn by trees and shrubs, and the fresh verdure of the lawns, 

 render this a delightful, most enjoyable month. To the gar- 

 dener it is full of promise, but he feels some misgivings as to- 

 the visitations of destructive insects, vaguely denominated 

 blights, and remembers that the aphides sometimes produce 

 "sixteen generations in one season;" therefore, watch care- 

 fully for their appearance. Keep all worked Fioses free frois 

 suckers, which are now produced in great abundance. Let 

 order and neatness prevail. Finish clipping Box. Pay at- 

 tention to plants now hardening for bedding-out, let it be ac- 

 complished gradually. It is not safe to commence bedding-out 

 tender plants before the middle of the month in the average of 

 localities. Let, however, all preparations be made for the busy 

 time. Determine your plans as to heights and colours ; pay 

 attention to the arrangement of the latter. A flower garden 

 may be richly furnished with plants, but be very ineffective if 

 the colours are badly arranged. For producing brilliant effect 

 in masses reject parti-coloured flowers ; such are never effective. 

 Use pure and decided colours, such as brilliant scarlet, pure 

 white, deep purple, and bright yellow ; those which are in close 

 afiinity spoil each other. Too little attention is paid to this in 

 articles of dress and furniture, otherwise we should not see 

 so much bad taste in these matters. Take care not to mix 

 plants whose bloom is of doubtful duration with those of a 

 more permanent character, remembering always that the beauty 

 of a formal flower garden depends upon its being in all its 

 details a perfect work of art. There must be high keeping, 

 symmetry, and a judicious arrangement of colours, otherwise it 

 will not form a satisfactory whole. Young gardeners should 

 attend to this. Many persons plant their stock so thinly that 

 their beds are not covered till late in the season, I advise 

 thick planting for speedy effect. Where walks require to be 

 re-gravelled, it should be done previous to dry weather setting 

 in, and roll frequently. Where annuals are required for lats 

 flowering they may yet be sown. Transplant tender annuals 



