Planting, Staking, and Fertilizing 81 



controls the time of planting. In the East there 

 is another factor which is so uncertain and yet so 

 important that the subject is still open to much 

 discussion. The advice given by growers to 

 prospective purchasers, as published in their 

 catalogues, is contradictory and confusing, and 

 only a clear understanding of these conditions 

 can help the beginner to work out his own 

 salvation. 



In our climate, that of the Central Eastern 

 States, there comes a time, the latter part of 

 June and early July, when all the world seems 

 parched and gasping in the heat. We may soak 

 the roots and spray the leaves of our precious 

 plants, but the merciless sun will play havoc with 

 them if they have already reached any size. The 

 leaves blister and curl; their pores close and can 

 no longer draw any nourishment from the air. 

 The stems become stiff and woody and the sap 

 cannot flow evenly through them. Growth is 

 checked; and though when conditions improve 

 it tries to start again, the new leaves are small 

 and numerous and no flowers can develop. The 

 only thing to be done at this time is to cut the 

 plant back at least two thirds of the way; or, if a 

 secondary sprout has appeared from the root, 

 cut the old plant out altogether. This delays 

 the blooming time two or three weeks, but there 



