Round the Year in the Garden 



Some of the Rambling Roses make such vigorous 

 growth that the flowers become partially hidden. Shoots 

 develop among the blossoms of such varieties as 

 Dorothy Perkins, and should be cut off. Fresh stems 

 often arise in such numbers from the base of the old 

 plants that it is essential to remove the weakest of them. 

 The lawn ought to be mown regularly once or twice 

 a week, and mowing should be followed by rolling. Pro- 

 viding mowing is done frequently it is not necessary 

 to use a box on the machine ; in fact, it is, I think, pref- 

 erable not to do so, for the grass cuttings serve as a 

 slight mulch, and prevent the lawn from becoming 

 parched. 



Watering is a task that occupies much time at this 

 season, and during a long spell of dry weather it cannot 

 be neglected. It is far better to give the beds a soaking 

 once a week than to moisten them partially every day, 

 though in the evening of a hot day sprinkling with the 

 hose does good. As has been pointed out before, trees 

 and shrubs against walls are most likely to suffer from 

 drought, and especial attention should be paid to them. 

 Rock garden plants need watering frequently during 

 dry weather ; they are, or ought to be, in well-drained 

 soil, and quickly become dry at the root, a condition 

 that is inimical to success. 



Summer Bedding. The practice of filling beds and 

 borders with tender flowering plants, popularly known 

 as summer bedding, is carried out early in June, when 

 such kinds as Fuchsia, Begonia, Lobelia, Geranium, Canna, 

 Abutilon and innumerable others are grouped in beds of 

 various designs to form colour schemes. Although this 

 method of gardening has been severely condemned, it 

 has, nevertheless, certain advantages. The plants remain 

 attractive until late autumn, and although monotonous, 

 they are continuously gay. When they are taken up 

 in autumn an opportunity is given to fill the same beds 

 with bulbs and other spring flowers in variety. One 



226 



