SEASONAL REMINDERS 511 



JULY 



Beans. — Sow the wax sorts for a succession. 



Beets. — Sow Early Egyptian or Eclipse for young beets next fall. 



Blackberries. — Head back the young canes to 3 ft., and the laterals 

 also when they get longer. They may be pinched with the thumb- 

 nail and finger in a small patch, but this soon makes the fingers sore, 

 and when there are many bushes to go over, it is better to use a pair 

 of shears or a sharp sickle. 



Cabbage. — Set plants for the late crop. 



Corn. — Plant sweet corn for succession and late use. 



Cucumbers. — It is late to plant, but they may be put in for pickles 

 if done before the Fourth. Cultivate those which are up, and keep 

 an eye open for bugs. 



Currants. — Cover a few bushes with muslin or burlap before the 

 fruit ripens, and you can eat currants in August. Use hellebore, 

 rather than Paris green, for the last brood of currant worms, and apply 

 it as soon as the worms appear. There is little danger in using it, 

 even if the currants are ripe. 



Lettuce seed does not germinate well in hot weather. Sow in a 

 moist, shaded position for a succession. 



Lima beans. — Hoe them frequently, and give assistance to get on 

 the poles. 



Melons. — Watch for bugs, and apply tobacco dust freely around 

 the plants. Keep them well cultivated. A hght application of bone 

 meal will pay. 



Peaches, pears, and plums should be thinned to secure fine fruit and 

 to help sustain the vigor of the tree. Ripening the seed is what draws 

 on the tree's vitality, and if the number of seeds can be reduced one- 

 half or two-thirds, part of the strength required to ripen them will 

 go into perfecting the fruit and seeds left, and add greatly to the fine 

 appearance, flavor, and quality of the edible portion. 



Radishes. — Sow the early kinds for a succession, and toward the 

 end of the month the winter sorts may be put in. 



Raspberries. — Pinch back the canes to 2| ft., the same way as 

 given for blackberries. 



Squashes. — Keep the ground well stirred, and use tobacco dust 



