For July, 1922 



213 



j Work tor the Month in the Garden 



I SAMUEL GOLDING 



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THE recent and often too abundant rains have had in 

 many cases a somewhat discouraging effect on the 

 vegetable grower, especially so where the planter has 

 a heavy and retentive soil to contend with. On light and 

 saidy soils, the growth of many subjects is most ram- 

 pant and it has been a continuous struggle to keep the 

 weeds m checi<. The frequent rains make effective culti- 

 vation a r,;atter of some diiificulty and the soft growth 

 makes for fungoid diseases. 



However, the remarkable growth of trees and shrubs 

 and the thrifty appearance of most subjects in the flower 

 garden ami borders augers well for fine displays in the 

 Fall, to say nothing of what we may expect next Spring, 

 providing that the wood will be well ripened before Win- 

 ter comes. The lawns are most verdant and restful to the 

 eye, looking like early Spring instead of July, but at this 

 time the Summer grass is oftentimes much in evidence 

 and must lie combatted with rake and mowing machine. 



Reports of the pea crop in this locality have been gen- 

 erally unfavorable for this season, the climatic conditions 

 being adverse to fine growth during May and early June 

 when peas usually make their best growth, and very light 

 crops are the result. Tlie short supply of this most im- 

 portant and popular vegetable has made the perfect sup- 

 ply and sucession of vegetables difficult to maintain. 

 However, a bounteous Providence provides that the con- 

 dition which may be unfavorable to some subjects is that 

 which others revel in. String beans came in early with 

 bumper crops. 



When the peas have been removed, there is good space 

 for celery, new strawberry plantations, late sweet corn 

 or late cabbage. If celery is grown, some rapid maturing 

 small crop can be planted between the rows, such as beets, 

 horn carrots, lettuce, etc. 



AFake the last planting of corn about the middle of 

 July (that of course means where the latitude is similar 

 to that of Xew York) using any of the popular early 

 varieties. Golden Bantam is very good for this purpose. 

 Remove all basal growth from the growing corn and keep 

 them well cultivated between the rows. 



Plant out late celery and keep it well supplied with 

 water. Spray the early plants with Pordeaux Alixture to 

 prevent, or check rust. Continue to sow string beans and 

 other small crops ; pIso lettuce for b'all use. Tie up endive 

 when large enough. 



Continue to spray late potatoes for bugs and blights. 

 The early varieties of potatoes will be fit to use now. Take 

 up enough at one time for daily use as they will continue 

 to grow until ripe. 



Plant out new strawberry beds as soon as well rooted 

 runners are available and can be lifted with a nice ball 

 of earth. It is good practice to layer them into pots so 

 that they can be removed as soon as they are well rooted, 

 and the old plants removed tO' make sjmce for cauliflower 

 or cabbage. The pot grown strawberries are easier to 

 handle in the event that the land for the new plantation 

 is not at once available. Before planting make the ground 

 firm ; do not plant too deep, and give the young plants 

 every encouragement to help them form fine crowns by the 

 Fall. KecD off' all surplus runners from the old plants 

 that are retained for another season and fork in a dressing 

 of bonemeal. 



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keep an eye on asparagus as at this season it often 

 times suft'crs from the attack of the larva; of the aspara- 

 gus beetle, and spray with .\rsenate of Lead, or dust over 

 when the dew is on in the morning. 



Keepthe tomato vines thinned to admit light and air 

 to the fruits. .-\ most satisfactory way is to grow them 

 upon racks or trellises as they are easier to handle. 



A dressing of some approved fertilizer will be of great 

 I)enefit to most of the growing crops at this time, even 

 (hough a liberal supply of manure was dug in in the 

 Spring, for where intensive cultivation is carried out, the 

 soil becomes somewhat exhausted after one crop and it is 

 therefore good practice to add some plant food from time 

 to time if we would get the best out of the land. 



During wet periods it is advisable to raise the fruit of 

 melons oft' the ground, pieces of wood, tile, slate or small 

 inverted pots answering the purpose. 



Spray tiie currant and gooseberry bushes as soon as 

 they are cleared of fruit to keep the foliage free from 

 pests. The work among fruit trees, known as Summer 

 piiimng can now be done. This is necessary where trained 

 and dwart trees are grown. The growths should be 

 pinched back to about five leaves (except the leaders), 

 but this is like most other gardening operations, no hard 

 and fastrule can be made, and so some judoment must 

 be exercised. W'htre the growths are extra vigorous and 

 Iruitless the tree should be root-pruned in the Fall. This 

 will check excessi\-e wood growth and makes for the for- 

 mation of fruit buds. When apples or pears are thick 

 and fine specimens are wanted, thev should be thinned 

 early. This attention well repays the time spent. 



At this time the work in the flower garden consists of 

 staking and tying, and keeping the insect pests away. 

 Keep dahhas securely tied as thev are easilv broken or 

 damaged during storms, and spray with Apliine to ward 

 off' attacks of aphis and other insect pests. 



Transplant the seedlings of biennials and allow them 

 plenty of room to derelop into sturdv plants by the Fall, 

 lake the cuttings of any stock jiropagated fast month 

 out of the sand when well rooted and plant out in well 

 ]5repared ground. 



Sow the seed of pansies, double daisies and myosotis 

 next Spring bedding. Some of the early blooming 

 annuals may yet be sown for late cut flowers. Pick off 

 all seed pods from continuous blooming plants as they 

 cannot be expected to carry a crop of seed and then bloom 

 again later. Pyrethrums. gaillardias, and salTia prafcnsis 

 are^the type fo plants alluded to. 



Cut out much of th.e old wood from rambler roses and 

 tie up tlie new growths, allowing them plenty of room to 

 grow and to get well ripened if we are to expect a fine 

 show of bloom next year, \^'atch for the appearance of 

 mildew and take early measures to combat it. 



Give the teas and hybrids a good dressing of fertilizer 

 as th-'s will encourage strong growth for Fall blooming: 

 keep the beds free from weeds by frequent cultivation anci 

 spray with Fungine for mildew. 



Watch the evergreens, rhododendrons and azalea plan- 

 tations for red spider which is their most persistent enemy 

 especially during hot dry spells. Wilson's O. K. Spray 

 is eft'ective in dealing with it. 



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