, THE GARDEN WEEK BY WEEK 



Aug. Strawberries. — Very young plants struck in small pots 



^"^5 early in summer will now be well rooted. If they are 

 wanted for forcing they may be repotted into 6-inch 

 pots. Fibrous loam should form the greater part of the 

 compost, but a quarter of decayed manure and some 

 sand may be added with advantage. The soil should be 

 pressed firmly round the plants. Well-rooted plants 

 intended for fruiting next year in an outdoor bed may be 

 planted immediately, but they should be watered in. 



Vegetables 



Asparagus. — Interest in Asparagus beds is not, as a 

 rule, so lively in August as in May, but it should be 

 remembered that the success of the spring crop depends 

 in a great measure on the growth which the Asparagus 

 makes the previous summer. The wise grower keeps 

 his beds free from weeds, and nourishes the plants with 

 occasional soakings of liquid manure, or dustings with 

 chemical fertilisers. Nitrate of potash, at the rate of an 

 ounce per square yard, is a splendid stimulant, and worth 

 using, in spite of the fact that it is rather dear. 



Beans. — Broad Beans will be over, and may be cleared 

 off the ground. Dwarf French Beans can only be kept 

 growing and bearing by constant picking of the pods 

 while they are still young. Scarlet Runners should also 

 be picked regularly. If large pods are wanted for 

 exhibition, the clusters may be thinned. It is a help to 

 the plants to give liberal doses of liquid manure, and a 

 mulching of short yard manure along the rows will 

 further strengthen them, and help them to continue 

 bearing until autumn. See that the Runners are well 

 supported, and in case of doubt add a few fresh poles 

 and stays, or the row may be blown over in a gale. 

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