CHAPTER SIX 



JULY PROBLEMS 



What right have we to blame the Garden 

 Because the plant has withered there? 



Hafiz. 



JULY is often a discouraging month to a gardener 

 who does not employ a great many annuals. Fol- 

 lowing upon the exuberance of June, it seems a sort 

 of pause, a breathing spell before the grand display of 

 almost unfailing Phloxes and their train of late summer 

 flowers. It is quite true that there are not as many 

 well-known flowers belonging to this month and, in 

 consequence, many gardens are quite scantily clothed 

 with bloom. For years my own June pride was regularly 

 shattered by the blank which followed the departure of 

 the Flag Irises, Paeonies, and tumultuous Roses, and it 

 required many years of study and "trying out" before 

 I learned how many fine plants there are, other than 

 annuals, with which to beautify this high noon of the 

 year. 



In July, also, we have the elements against us; 

 whether it is against pitiless drought or fierce electric 

 storms that we must contend, it is very difficult to keep 

 the garden in good condition and the plants are bound 



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