Foi June, 1921 



611 



aililUUllUllllllllllltlJIUt 



u:»mijiiiuMiiiuuiiiuuiinuiiuumii:iiii!»<i!iiiciui[iiiiMimiiiiiiiH!BiwiiiiimiiiiiiiiiuiiMiia]u 



Work for the Month in the Garden 



SAMUEL GOLDING 



ggmniuiiiinsiiuiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiuiiiuiiiiiJiiiiiuiniiimiiiuiiiiiiunuuuiiii: 



niiiinminiiiiirai-jninmiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiucutuiaiiiuiNL 



'L:i:iiU!iaji:i:jjij!j;ui 



THE planting season in the vegetable garden has 

 reached its apex, and the most tender plants from 

 greenhouses and frames will have been transferred 

 into their final quarters. From now on throughout the 

 Summer, the problem of perfect successions and adequate 

 supplies, will demand the constant attention of growers. 

 Where very young and tender vegetables are in constant 

 demand, regular and frequent intervals of sowing are 

 of the utmost importance. 



The thinning of crops as soon as they are large enough 

 to handle; persistent cultivation to keep the ground free 

 of weeds and to have the surface soil loose and friable, 

 are other essential duties to be performed. After heavy 

 rains this should be done as soon as the condition of the 

 soil permits, because with drjing, sunny days, the ground 

 cracks and evaporation is very rapid, making it urgent 

 to hoe or cultivate to conserve the moisture. Artificial 

 watering is thus made less imperative. 



The attacks of insect and grub pests will require con- 

 stant vigilance, and no doubt all preparations are com- 

 plete for waging war with insecticide and fungicide. 

 The cut worm is one of the most troublesome grubs al 

 this season, and apparently takes great delight in its 

 labors. Being somewhat of an epicure, it eats otif the 

 plants close to the ground when the seedlings are at their 

 most tender stage. It is often the real cause of the ap- 

 parent failure of seed to germinate, and will clear whole 

 rows of seedlings as they are pushing through the soil. 

 Poison bait is generally effective, but for small gardens 

 which can easily be looked over, and one can see at a 

 glance where the beans, tgg plants or tomatoes have 

 been eaten otif during the night, the culprit can usually 

 be found reposing near the scene of its depredations and 

 can be personally dealt with. 



Spray the potatoes with a solution of paris green, or 

 arsenate of lead, to destroy the potato bug. During the 

 early stages, if hot, dr\- weather prevails, the flea beetle 

 is verj' persistent in its attacks. Spray with a nicotine 

 solution. The same insect attacks tomatoes, and tobacco 

 powder is a good preventive. Cucumbers, melons and 

 squash must be watched at this stage against attacks 

 of the striped beetle, and arsenate of lead or Slug Shot 

 should be used. 



During dry spells artificial waterings must be resorted 

 to. When this is necessary do it thoroughly, and if pos- 

 sible, during the evening or late afternoon. Greatl)- im- 

 proved and labor saving systems of irrigation have come 

 to the fore during the last few years, some of which 

 simulate the gentle rain, and are a great advance on the 

 hose or watering can. 



As soon as the early crops of peas are over, remove 

 them at once, and use the ground for celery or late corn. 

 Small crops of carrots, beets, lettuce, etc., can be grown 

 between the celery rows. Growing celerj' should be given 

 an abundance of water. Tie up lima bean growths to 

 the poles to prevent them from being broken by winds 

 or storms. Stake late peas, and give them a good mulch 

 of stable manure which tends to conserve the moisture. 

 and keep the ground cool, a condition necessar}' to the 

 success of late peas. In dry spells they are subject to 

 attacks of green fly which can be overcome by spraying 

 with Aphine. A spraying during the evening is beneficial. 



Tie up romaine and endive to induce fine blanched 

 hearts ; sow successions of corn, string beans, beets 

 and carrots ; plant late cabbage, and cauliflower, and en- 

 courage rapid growth to the onion crop by watering 

 with liquid manure water. Occasional dusting with 

 Scotch soot is a detriment to the onion fly, besides hav- 

 ing fertilizing properties of a high order. 



.As soon as the early strawberry crop is over, remove 

 the straw mulch, and layer the runners needed for any 

 new beds which may be desired. 



In the flower garden, especially where formal bedding 

 is carried out to any extent, during the early days of 

 June all is activity. It is the period of transition from 

 Spring beds and flowers to the regular Summer beds. 

 Xo time must be lost, when warm days and nights are 

 with us and danger of frost is past, to push on with 

 planting out, even the more tender garden subjects, so 

 that they will derive the benefits from showery weather, 

 and become well established before the torrid days of 

 Summer are here. 



It is best, if possible, to leave bulbous plants to ripen 

 where they have grown or until their foliage turns yellow. 

 Of course, this is not always possible, for when their 

 bloom is over they are no longer attractive in the garden, 

 and they often receive but scant consideration. \\'e are 

 eager to see their places filled with the Summer flowers. 

 These old bulbs should be carefully lifted and heeled in a 

 shady place to finish the process of ripening, before being 

 finally dried and stored in a cool place. Give the beds a 

 coating of manure and dig over before replanting. 



Remove old plants of Canterbury Bells, foxgloves, as 

 they pass out of bloom. Their place can be taken bv 

 late asters or some other suitable annual. Sweet Williams 

 can be cut over and left, but it is a much better course 

 to remove them also so that their place can be available 

 for Fall flowers. The\- are easily raised from seed each 

 year. 



Plant the last batch of gladioli. If planted in groups 

 of about twelve in each they make a fine display in the 

 borders throughout the Fall. 



There are now many wonderful varieties of cannas 

 which can be used with fine effect in many parts of the 

 garden, and their excellent foliage and gorgeous flovv"'. rs 

 are most striking from Jul\- until frost cuts them down. 



Finish planting dahlias and it is a good plan to stake at 

 the time of planting which prevents possible injury to 

 the roots. Give early attention to all plants needing sup- 

 ports. This should be carefully done using stakes with 

 due regard to the varying heights of the plants. 



Give sweet peas abundance of water at this time with 

 occasional soakings of liquid manure, and keep the flov.ers 

 picked daily, and spray if attacked by green fly. 



June is the month of roses, the queen of flowers. 

 Keep the plants well supplied with water and during 

 hot weather an overhead spray during the evenings will 

 do much to improve the quality of the flowers. It also 

 checks green fly and other enemies. From now on one 

 must be continually on guard against the rose bug. Dnst 

 with Hellebore powder when any are seen, and many 

 can be destroyed if shaken into a vessel containing kero- 

 sene. 



{Continued on page 613) 



