CHAPTER VIII 



THE HARVEST MONTH IN THE GARDEN 



I HAVE said that the genuine enthusiast in gardening Aug. 

 recognises no beginning and no ending to a horticultural 

 year. He does not go into "winter quarters" in 

 October, and resume operations in April. The seasons 

 impose no limits. It is true that some outdoor tasks 

 have to be suspended at times owing to unsuitable 

 weather, but others have accumulated indoors, and the 

 opportunity is taken to make up arrears. Thus it is 

 that gardening years slide so swiftly, although so 

 pleasantly, by. 



The harvest month is also the principal holiday 

 month, and it is probable that it supplies the most 

 severe test of the thoroughness of the amateur's de- 

 votion. Many will be proof against its seductions, some 

 may succumb. Mr. A. C. Benson remarks in one of his 

 pleasant essays that if a crowd gathers in a field there 

 will be an irresistible inclination on the part of many 

 who see it to join it, and of a few to fly to the other end 

 of the world. The marine parade, the pierrots, the jetty 

 band draw the ungardened many with overwhelming 

 force in August ; but the true garden lover will avoid 

 their dust and clangour with a shudder. 



It has to be confessed that some gardens get a little 



tarnished in August. They are "the worse for wear." 



The owner may not be conscious of any weakness ; he 



may not be able to put his finger on anything that is 



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