CHAPTER VI 

 WORK FOR SUMMER DAYS 



WHEN June is well under way, the gardener 

 rests on his hoe and draws a breath of relief. But 

 only for a moment; work must go on and on. 



Theoretically growth should now cover the 

 ground completely. There are bare spots, how- 

 ever, and weeds are struggling to get possession 

 of every one of them. Such spots must be gone 

 wer at least once, and there are the paths to 

 hoe again. All of which is very prosaic when 

 there is a riot of roses and the Canterbury bells 

 and foxgloves are vying with them and each other. 



Pruning the shrubs that have bloomed in spring 

 is a task of early summer. Most will stand plenty 

 of cutting back, as it is the new wood that will 

 furnish the next year's blossoms. Limit the 

 pruning of lilacs to the removal of weak and super- 

 fluous branches and the disfiguring seed clusters. 

 Pinch off the tops of hardy chrysanthemums, to 

 make them branch. In August pinch off the ends 

 of the branches. 



Bugs demand June attention. The principal of- 

 fender is the rose bug, which is not satisfied with 



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