104 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS 



offer of a good growth bud below. Pinch back the new growth of 

 chrysanthemums, so as to get a very stalwart shoot and remove 

 surplus suckers to concentrate growth in the stalks you select to 

 survive. Train the new growth of all vines to prevent too great 

 freedom and ranginess of growth and then sit in the shade for long, 

 quiet hours of gladness that the June heat of California has nothing 

 in it of the depression which is born of the mugginess of summer in 

 the humid climate of other lands. Layers of Wistaria, root readily 

 in June, so lay down some while you are resting. 



Chrysanthemum cuttings can still be started for later fall blooming. 

 Early started plants should be freed from surplus shoots. Annuals and 

 perennials can be started from seed with increasing care as to pro- 

 tection of seed by mulching lightly. Shady places can be chosen for 

 such late sowing and the result will be much fall and winter bloom 

 of good plants for spring blooming. Dahlia planting should continue 

 for later bloom. 



JULY. 



The chief activities of July in the California garden are in the line 

 of maintenance. To continue the freshness of the lawn by frequent 

 cutting and ample watering and thus secure verdure around the habi- 

 tation in contrast with sere fields and hillsides beyond, is held by some 

 as too exacting both of work and water and by others as generous in 

 its compensation for both. The writer's sympathy is with the latter 

 view, but if others choose the former let them see to it that the dry 

 garden does not offend the sight by neglect 'and untidiness. Remove 

 the trash of early-blooming annuals and bulbs and scrape the ground 

 clean of all perishing grass and weeds. Keep the ground around trees 

 and shrubs well loosened and all intervening spaces well swept, so 

 that cleanliness, which is next to grassiness, may prevail in the July 

 garden. 



But July work has other motives in maintenance. All plants chosen 

 for late summer and fall bloom need generous help in July or they 

 will be disappointing; therefore, cosmos and its contemporaries must 

 not be neglected, but must be pushed in growth and well supported 

 to escape accident. With such aid they may be allowed to become 

 great and floriferous, as heat and moisture favor, and a sight to behold. 

 The same will be true of the chrysanthemums if they are well fed 

 and watered in July and kept from distributing their strength through 

 too many stems and flower buds. There is, therefore, much to do in 

 midsummer in the California garden though new plantings are few. 



The rose garden should receive careful attention. Bushes which are 

 kept in constant growth by proximity to lawns or in regularly watered 

 borders should be progressively pruned, cutting back shoots which 



