CULTIVATING, MANURING AND WATERING 



"They are less unsightly if the tops are clipped to 

 an even six-foot level and the sides are trimmed suf- 

 ficiently to present a neat view from the end. These 

 twiggy birches are a more natural support, and in the 

 scorching sun do not heat as wire will. Of course, 

 birches last but one year, and should be procured early 

 in the spring, before their leaves start. Make ashes 

 of them in the fall. 



"There is no limit to the style of trellis that can 

 be made, and they should be so made as to take apart 

 easily for storing away in the winter. By painting 

 the ground end of the posts or uprights with asphaltum 

 they will last longer. The printed designs are mere 

 suggestions of what can be made cheaply (see page 85). 



"Keep your vines green and growing as long as you 

 can. Good rich ground and keeping the pods off will 

 do this, and when the vines get above six feet clip off 

 the tops and they will send up new branches." 



CULTIVATING, MANURING AND WATERING 



The liberal use of the hoe between the rows and plants 

 will be found of great service in conserving moisture 

 and, of course, at the same time keeping down the 

 weeds. Should the weather set in very dry and hot, 

 a liberal mulching of manure or grass should be given, 

 extending quite twelve inches on either side of the 

 plants, and a thorough watering two or three times a 

 week will keep your seedlings on the move. No liquid 

 manure should be applied, however, until the first blos- 

 soms appear, and then only sparingly or rather in a 

 weak state at first, alternating the waterings with 

 clear water. As the plants come into full flower the 

 manure may be made much stronger. 



'9 



