THE GARDEN CALENDAR 105 



have bloomed, to good new laterals below that they may be pushed to 

 greater development and an excess of shoots should be reduced 

 saving always the best of them. Roses too often become brushy and 

 unthrifty from neglect of summer treatment. But the best rose 

 garden is one which is not pushed into constant activity. Bushes 

 which have done well in the spring and matured their new wood by 

 midsummer are entitled to a rest and though we cannot know whether 

 they actually feel fatigue or not, we do know that to get the best fall 

 bloom, the bushes should be credited with weariness and allowed to 

 rest in July. For this reason it is best that the soil should be allowed 

 to dry somewhat and, as the leaves show the maturing phases, the 

 bushes should be pruned, shortening the shoots and reducing them 

 greatly in number, so that the reawakening activity of autumn may 

 find fewer outlets for its impulses. This summer pruning of roses, 

 when grown away from plants which must be kept active, adds greatly 

 to the summer aspect of the garden, because the rose section is clean 

 and orderly though at rest, while a sleepy rose bush amid riotous 

 summer growing plants offends the eye. Beyond this, however, is the 

 greater reason for the treatment and that is the anticipation of late 

 fall bloom. Many roses are better in the autumn than in the spring 

 and nearly all respond gloriously to the call of moisture after a mid- 

 summer dormancy and in the delightful November days bring a 

 grandeur to the California garden which, in the nature of things, 

 those who live in wintry climates cannot know. 



Though July is chiefly a maintenance month, it should be used also 

 for starting plants from seed for next winter and spring blooming. 

 The covered cold frame or lath sheltered or well white-washed green- 

 house can be used to good advantage and hosts of plants grown for 

 fall planting out. 



Freesias are restless bulbs and should be given a July planting for 

 their earliest blooming. 



AUGUST. 



August is the time to prepare for the second California springtime 

 which the beginning of the rainy season ushers in. The character of 

 the preparation depends upon the location and also upon the moisture 

 available. The irrigated garden has possibilities far beyond those of 

 the rainfall garden; therefore, if you have water, clear away the debris 

 of the summer crop, soak the soil deeply and. as soon as the soil 

 works well, fork it over thoroughly, fine the surface and sow all kinds 

 of annual flowers which you desire. Many tender things can also be 

 sown in August if you have -a location free enough from fall frosts to 

 allow them time to mature. In the hottest interior situations, however, 

 August sowing does not succeed so well as near the coast because some 

 seedlings cannot endure the dry heat even if soil moisture be adequate. 



