THE HEART OF THE YEAR 



trials are disappointing, but there is generally a useful July 

 lesson to be learned from them, and in any case they 

 must not be allowed to assume undue proportions. 

 Very likely there is a set-off to them in the success 

 of some particular crop which was not expected to do 

 so well. The young bed of Strawberries, for instance, 

 may be carrying a much better crop than was antici- 

 pated, and the unknown pillar Rose which we planted 

 experimentally may be a gem. 



There should be deep joy in the July garden, and 

 the owner must squeeze every drop of pleasure and 

 interest out of it. He should live every second of the 

 golden days. One garden hour ought to be worth a 

 dozen that are spent in town streets. The amateur 

 should be in his garden soon after daybreak, and should 

 not leave it at night until darkness has fallen, if then. 



If the weather is somewhat trying owing to the heat, 

 he can make a point of performing the harder tasks, 

 such as mowing, in the evening, when the sun is near 

 the horizon. For the rest, a loose, soft collar, a light 

 jacket, and a sun-hat will make all the difference between 

 comfort and discomfort. 



Let him keep a tight grip on his gardening duties, 

 relaxing not one jot of the ground made already. The 

 garden is full and gay, and it must be kept so. The 

 means are simple — watering, mulching, hoeing, removal 

 of decaying flowers. The labour of watering may be 

 reduced considerably by the use of a hose, also by 

 mulching — that is, covering the surface of the soil with 

 some loose, close substance, such as cocoa-nut fibre 

 refuse or lawn mowings. Hoeing is a light, healthful, 

 and pleasurable task. It is one that can be done with 

 advantage in the early morning. While pursuing it, 

 the amateur can think out plans for his business day 

 273 S 



