THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY 



[August, 



besides other profit in the practice, as the fruit 

 of the ,2:rape is generally sweeter in our climate 

 when matured in a little shade. 



Although they require more care than spring set 

 plants August and September are favorite months 

 to plant out Strawberries, with those who desire a 

 crop of fruit the next season. In making a straw- 

 berry-bed a warm, dry spot of ground should be 

 chosen, with, if possible, a good loarav or clayey 

 subsoil. A moist wet situation is very unfavor- 

 able. It is best to subsoil at least eighteen inches 

 deep, and if the soil is poor, let it be moderately 

 enriched with well decayed stable manure. In 

 setting out, take care that the plants do not be- 

 come dry from the time they are taken up till 

 thej'^ are replanted, and see that they do no not 

 wither afterwards. Many persons cut off the 

 leaves, if they are afraid of their wilting under 

 hot suns, but a much better plan is to shade. 

 Inverted 4-inch flower-pots are excellent for this 

 purpose; they may be taken off at night. The 

 dews will so invigorate them, that the shade will 

 only be required for a few days. Sometimes in 

 September they may need a good watering; but 

 this should never be attempted unless a thorough 

 saturation of the bed be given ; and in a few days 

 after, the hoe and rake should be employed to 

 loosen and level the surface, which the heavy 

 watering will, in all probability, have caused to 

 bake and become very crust}-. When pot-raised 

 plants can be had, as heretofore recommended, 

 fall planting strawberries is very successful. 



A little trimming is useful to most trees at this 

 season. The Blackberry and Raspberry may 

 have their tops shortened so as to leave the canes 

 about four feet. Some do this earlier in the sea- 

 son ; but the buds are apt to burst if done too 

 soon. In like manner, pear and apple trees that 

 grow well, but produce no fruit, are benefited 

 by having, say half of some of the young growth 

 cut back. The buds then left are very likely to 

 form flower buds, in place of growth buds for 

 next season. Many take out the old shoots of 

 r;ispberry and blackberry after they have done 

 bearing, and we have in times past recommend- 

 ed it ourselves; but on further observation, we 

 see very little good, if not positive injury. The 

 partial shade the old stems make, seems rather 

 beneficial than otherwise under our hot suns. 



As soon as your vegetable crops are past 

 kitchen use, clear them out. Never suffer them 

 to seed. In the first place, a seed crop exhausts 

 the soil more than two crops taken off in an eat- 

 able condition ; in the next place, the refuse of 



the kitchen is likely to produce degenerate stocks. 

 Good seed saving is a special art by itself, al- 

 ways claiming the earliest and best to ensure a 

 perfect stock. 



Celery will require earthing up as it grows, to 

 get it to blanch well. It is not well, however 

 to commence too early, as earthing up tends, in 

 a slight degree, to w^eaken the growth of the 

 plants. Take care, also, not to let the soil get 

 into the heart in earthing, or the crown is apt to 

 rot. 



As fast as Endive is desired for Salad, it should 

 be blanched. Matting thrown over is the best 

 for this purpose, as the plants are not so liable 

 to rot as when pots or boards are employed. 



In cold or mountainous regions, Melons are 

 hastened in the ripening process, and improved 

 in flavor, by a piece of tile being placed under 

 the fruit. 



Keep weeds from your compost heaps, as they 

 exhaust the soil, and bear seeds for future brow- 

 sweatings. 



Sow Lettuce for Fall crop, thinly, and in deep 

 and very rich ground. 



Early Valentine Beans may still be sown early 

 in the month, — the soil for a late crop should be 

 well trenched, or, if the Fall be dry, they will be 

 stringy and tough. 



Cucumbers, Squash, and other similar plants, 

 often suffer from drought at this season. Cold 

 water does not help them much, but a mulching 

 of half rotten leaves strengthens them consider- 

 ably. 



Cut down straggling herbs, and they will make 

 new heads for next season. 



Towards the end of the month, a sowing of- 

 Spinach may be made in rich soil, which will 

 come in for use before Winter. That desired for 

 Winter and early Spring use, is usually sown in 

 September in this region. A few Turnips may 

 also be sown for an early crop, but will be hot 

 and stringy unless the soil is very rich. 



Corn Salad is often sowed at the end of this 

 month. It does not do so well in damp soil or 

 low situation. 



COMMUNICA TIONS. 



MARKETABLE PEAR TREES. 



BY WILLIAM CUTLER, JUNCTION CITY, KANSAS. 



As the Monthly is the best medium through 

 which to reach our eastern nurserymen, you 



