FOURTH WEEK IN JUNE 



its delicate wreaths of blossom where it will amongst the 

 roses. 



From the middle of June to the end of September is 

 the holiday-time in the garden, yet there is plenty to be 

 done by those who care to do it, for Nature never stands 

 still, and weeds never take a holiday, springing up on all 

 sides whilst we sleep. Flowers fade rapidly, too, in the 

 warm summer air, and if we would have a tidy garden the 

 constant use of a stout pair of scissors, not only amongst the 

 roses, but also the sweet peas, the campanulas, violas, and 

 other blossoms is necessary ; for seed bearing exhausts a 

 plant far more than blooming, and when once it has 

 perfected seeds, and so fulfilled the law of its Creator, it is 

 apt to take a rest, or even to die, under the impression that 

 it has done its duty, and may be relieved from further exer- 

 tions. But deprive it of its power of ripening its seeds, and 

 it will continue to flower again and again, always in the 

 hope that it may be allowed to obey the law of Nature and 

 replenish the earth ; and in this way many plants (such 

 as sweet peas) may be induced to blossom for months. The 

 same may be said of other members of the leguminous tribe, 

 especially of the tall French bean (Phaseolus multiflorus), 

 which is a perennial plant in tropical climates, although we 

 treat it as an annual vegetable. The yield of these plants is 

 greatly dependent upon the way it is gathered. Many 

 pickers do not trouble to gather the pods which form first 

 on the stem ; as these, being near the ground do not come 

 so readily to hand as those more opposite the gatherer. 

 Should these be left untouched, and allowed to ripen, the 

 yield of beans will be small, for the strength of the plant 

 will be occupied in perfecting these early seeds, and but 

 little sap will reach the upper tendrils. If, however, the 

 pods be removed regularly from the lower part of the plant, 

 it will continue to produce fresh flowers until the frost cuts 

 it off in the autumn, and its produce will be doubled. 



Pinks, carnations, and the rest of the Dianthus family all 

 need constant attention to relieve them of their fading 

 flowers. The new dianthus (Lady Dixon) is a hybrid 



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