108 CALIFORNIA GARDEN FLOWERS 



Let September, therefore, be a month of great activity in California 

 gardens, except at altitudes where wintry conditions prevail, and where 

 autumn is -a time of ending rather than of beginning. In places where 

 early rains are very light, clear up and burn the rubbish which will not 

 easily decay, spread the scrapings of the cowyard and poultry-yard, 

 start the whirling sprinkler, or adjust the hose nozzle, and allow an 

 artificial rain to fall for an hour or two until the ground is soaked 

 deeply, or produce the same effect by flood or furrow with water from 

 the irrigation ditch. Soon after, fork in deeply the fertilizing cover, 

 break the clods, even the surface but do not rake finely, except where 

 the sowing of small seeds requires it. Leave the surface, rather, like 

 a carpet of walnuts, so that rain can fall without crusting the earth. 

 The purpose of work in the September springtime is to open the soil 

 to receive the rains: the purpose of the March springtime is to close 

 the soil against evaporation. 



In ordinary coast and valley situations sow in September, upon soil 

 moistened either as described by irrigation or by early rains, seeds of 

 all flowers which you delight in, except the very tender ones. 



Hardy flowers will do as well for late fall and winter bloom and 

 will make the California garden gay all through the darker months. 

 Such slowly developing plants as pansies and sweet peas, and a host 

 like them, too many to mention, are really not at their best unless they 

 get an early autumn start. They need time for deep rooting and strong 

 stem and foliage development, and the autumn springtime is the time 

 to begin with them. It is also the season for planting winter and 

 spring flowering bulbs the glorious narcissus family, hyacinths, tulips, 

 in fact, the whole bunch which is called "Dutch" and many others. 



Do not get slack in maintenance work. Forget the eastern feeling 

 that the year is closing, and do not acquire the old California feeling 

 that the rains that are coming are to be listlessly awaited. Do not stop 

 sprinkling the lawn because it happens to be a calendar month for 

 rains. Keep ahead of the rains: keep getting ready for the rains, but 

 never wait for them. The California autumn in a well-kept garden 

 is a continuous Indian summer, with all the colors of eastern summer 

 added to the brown and gold of eastern autumn. 



Bloom buds should be selected on chrysanthemums and all others 

 pinched off if you are working for large singles. If not it is desirable to 

 remove a good part of the buds. The plants now need generous treatment 

 including liquid manure and some sort of a sun and dust shade is necessary 

 for finest blooms. Keep pushing the chrysanthemums. Mulch with good 

 manure and water, or let the rain fall, upon it. Be generous with all holi- 

 day-blooming plants. They should not be allowed to feel the pinch of 

 drouth. 



