AUGUST. 305 



AUGUST. 



The labor of transplanting annuals, biennials, and peren- 

 nials must now necessarily be over for the season ; and 

 attention should be directed to their improvement, in 

 making them appear neat by tying stakes and trellises 

 for their tender branches to support themselves on, and cut 

 off unsightly branches whenever you discover them. 

 Dahlias should be trimmed as often as necessary; tie them 

 up neatly to their stakes to protect them from heavy rains 

 and winds ; if the weather should be dry water them at 

 the roots, and syringe their foliage all over occasionally; 

 this will destroy the red spider and keep your plants in a 

 healthy state. If you find small insects infesting your 

 plants you must endeavor to destroy them ; to accomplish 

 this object it should be done in the morning, while the 

 dew is on the plant, as they are less active then than at 

 other times. It will be necessary sometimes, in the early 

 season, to cut your plants nearly to the ground, as they 

 are apt to eat out the bud and stunt the plants ; but when 

 the plant is full of vigor they will outgrow the damage 

 done by these troublesome insects. 



Be particular and never allow weeds to go to seed this 

 month; it will save you much future trouble. Carnations, 

 Picotees, and Pinks may still be layered, where it was not 

 attended to last month ; those already rooted may be sepa- 

 rated from the parent plant and set out into the open 

 ground until October to gain strength. Carnation and 

 Pink pipings will require strict attention in dry weather, 



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