358 THE GARDENER. [Aug. 



ing leaves off and preventing the shoots from becoming matted. 

 Dungbeds (if getting cold and weather unfavourable) may have a good 

 lining placed round them. Melons ripening their fruit should have 

 plenty of air and be kept dry. 



Let all necessary nailing and tying of fruit-trees be attended to at 

 once. Air and sun kept out at this season is much against the ripening 

 of the wood ; healthy clean foliage is of great importance. Fruits not 

 netted are in great danger from the attacks of birds. Pick the fruit 

 before it is over-ripe ; go over it frequently so that none be lost. 

 Bottles, in which is placed a little beer and sugar, will trap wasps and 

 flies : hang them about the trees by their necks. Hexagon netting is 

 very good for protection, as it lets in air and keeps out insects. Plant 

 fresh plots of Strawberries ; strong growing kinds on good deep ground 

 require plenty of space apart. When the foliage becomes matted there 

 is little chance of good supplies of fruit. Some kinds we find are not 

 too close when planted 2| feet apart. Two or three years is long 

 enough for the plants to bear fruit. We plant a piece and destroy a 

 brake annually, which keeps the stock young and prepares the ground 

 well for other crops. Runners not wanted should now be cleared off 

 and the surface well cleaned. If young plants cannot be had for 

 planting, the best of the crowns of old plants reduced and planted on 

 well-prepared soil will fruit well next season; ground and labour will 

 be saved by this practice ; but young plants are preferable for plant- 

 ing. 



In the ornamental garden all will be gay and orderly, and to 

 keep all neat and clean frequent attention is necessary. To leave the 

 garden till it becomes rough and untidy requires more work to bring 

 it right, besides never having the same appearance as when attended 

 to often. Walks kept smooth and hard, grass well mown, and plants 

 kept within bounds, is of much more importance to keeping than con- 

 tinued raking. The hoe should be kept going as long as it can be done, 

 and drought will do little harm. Roses should be gone over frequently, 

 and all decaying flowers taken off. Suckers require to be looked after 

 sharply, on weakly growers especially. Cuttings of all sorts of bedding 

 plants will require attention shortly. The young tops of healthy plants 

 make the finest stock for keeping through the winter. A frame with 

 sound lights answers well for most things, but free-growing Pelar- 

 goniums do well when planted in an open border full in the sun. 

 When rooted they may be lifted and potted, or placed in their pots at 

 once, and well attended to with water. Boxes or pans well drained, 

 and some soil (sandy loam) placed firmly in them, is as easy a method 

 as any of securing stock to be kept through the winter : Heliotropes 

 and other tender things may be put in first. Pelargoniums of the 



