46 FLOWER GARDENING 



faded blossoms, will give a second crop of bloom 

 if snipped. Snip hollyhocks, foxgloves and an- 

 nuals that self-sow freely, as their progeny is some- 

 times as much of a nuisance as weeds. Let the 

 blossoms and stems fall to the ground, between 

 the plant, to serve as mulch and soil nourishment 

 if this can be done without making an unsightly 

 appearance. 



Remove flower stalks from June on, when bloom 

 is entirely over, cut down plants whose foliage 

 has turned brown and pull up by the roots bien- 

 nials and annuals that have bloomed themselves to 

 death. Leave hollyhocks and foxgloves if they 

 show new crowns, as sometimes they send up small 

 second stalks of bloom. 



Fill in the spaces thus created, and those left 

 earlier by the dying down of the spring bulbs, with 

 annuals from the coldframe or seed bed, or with 

 potted plants. In some way all the garden gaps 

 should be filled as summer progresses. 



Transplanting is safely done on the hottest of 

 summer days, though cloudy ones would better be 

 given the preference. Use plenty of water. Shade 

 for a few days with pots, slats or cotton cloth 

 stretched on pegs, if the plants look as if they 

 would wither quickly. Toward evening is the best 

 time for the work. Where a plant is very choice, 

 or the roots are not strong, minimize the risk by 

 filling the hole with water once or twice and letting 

 it soak in. Set the plant in a little lower than usual 

 and only partly fill up with soil. Then add a thin 



