CHAPTER XXXTV 



STAKING, TYING AND WATERING 



AS midsummer approaches the whole energies of the 

 gardener must be directed towards keeping the garden 

 at a high level of excellence, and this can only be done 

 by unceasing care and attention. Not the least important opera- 

 tion that falls to his lot at this season of the year is the staking 

 and tying of his plants. It is a duty that must not be neglected 

 if the garden is to retain an appearance of orderliness and its 

 occupants are to be preserved from being snapped or otherwise 

 mutilated by boisterous winds and from being dragged in the 

 mire and utterly disfigured by heavy rain. 



Where the garden is of any considerable size and the borders 

 are filled as they should be by this time of the year with sturdy 

 perennials and vigorous annuals, the task is one that calls for not 

 a little time and patience. 



It is well, therefore, to approach it systematically and to be 

 well prepared beforehand. Most economically minded amateurs 

 save and store for the winter the stakes and sticks used in a pre- 

 vious year. To prevent annoyance and possible injury to oneself 

 owing to the snapping of rotten stakes as they are thrust in the 

 ground, it is essential to examine them carefully before bringing 

 them into use again. Not less necessary is it to sort them out 

 into their various sizes, so that time may be saved while the work 

 is in progress. 



The stock should be replenished from the nearest nurseryman, 

 ironmonger or general hardware dealer, and the sizes should 

 range from six or seven feet hi length to twelve inches. The 

 stakes may be obtained either in the rough state, such as the stout 

 hazel and ash stakes that are used for dahlias or hollyhocks, or 



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