JULY AKD AUGUST. 363 



affording a complete, economical, and independent water- 

 works in every garden. 



FLOWER BEDS. 



These ought now be nearly or quite at their best, and 

 the keeping of them in presentable shape will be one of 

 the chief cares at this time. Carpet beds should be gone 

 over every week, and the plants carefully clipped with a 

 view to keeping them low and solid, and maintaining 

 clearly defined lines between the different kinds in the 

 design. This is work upon which a great deal of skill 

 may be expended. Common shears, or sheep shears, 

 having a spring to open them, are used. All clip- 

 pings should be removed, as well as any weeds that may 

 start up. To reach all parts of beds that are closely 

 covered, a bridge consisting of a large plank supported 

 at the ends must be used. 



Cut away the fading flowers of all plants ; if allowed 

 to ripen seed, the flowering will be impaired — besides, 

 faded flowers mar the beauty of collections. Double 

 Balsams are more attractive if they have some pruning. 

 Leave one, three, or five branches, as best suits the fancy, 

 and cut away the others. If the first spikes of strong 

 Gladiolus are cut when fairly in flower, th^'y will usually 

 throw up a number of new spikes. 



SEED SOWIiJ^G AiJ^D PLANTING, 



There are a number oi hardy plants that ripen their 

 seeds by mid-summer, and if it is desired to propagate 

 these, the seeds should be sown soon after they are ripe, 

 or any time before the middle of September. Then the 

 seedling plants will be strong enough to winter over in 

 safety and flower the next season. Sow in a seed-bed of 

 fine soil; keep watered and shaded until the plants are 

 up. The Common or White Lily (Lilium candidimi), 



