500 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



November use. These are delicious little Cabbages. Pickling Cabbage may be sown 

 for cutting next year, if desired large. Sow Turnips as previously advised. 



Fruit Garden. This month will call forth the energies of the grower as so many 

 things require attention; for instance, laying-in of new wood, stopping gross shoots, 

 cleansing, and watering are all-important details. Avoid crowding healthy trees on walls ; 

 the Peach must have light to develop the growth. Many Peach trees lose shoots in 

 severe winters because the wood is soft, but this will not be so if the advice given above 

 is carried out. In olden days the Vine was a favourite plant (profitable also) on buildings, 

 and this needs a little attention. Disbud freely, only leaving the strongest, best-placed 

 shoots ; these to be secured when strong enough to the wall or building. Rub off weak, 

 useless spray growth, and stop strong shoots two joints above the bunches if such shoots 

 are not needed for extension. All wall trees will benefit greatly by being damped over 

 late in the day with the hose or syringe, especially Peaches, Nectarines, and Apricots ; 

 and these trees should not be dry at the roots, whilst they well repay food in the shape 

 of liquid manure. Young Gooseberry trees will benefit by having a portion of the fruit 

 gathered, and the same remark applies to other fruit trees. Overcropping is a mistake. 



JULY 



Flower Garden. This is a variable month with regard to weather. At times it is hot 

 and dry, at others thunderstorms are frequent. If the former, the water-pot must be used 

 freely, and there will be a great saving of labour if a light cover or mulch can be given 

 tender plants, such as need moisture. This placed over the surface or between the rows 

 will prove of much benefit. Many tall-growing plants, such as Canterbury Bells and 

 Dahlias, will need stakes, weakly growths cut away from others, and cuttings may be 

 struck in a shady border. Now is a good time to divide Garden Pinks, as soon as the 

 flowers are past. Polyanthuses may be sown this month for next spring flowering. These 

 are very beautiful, if a good strain of seedlings is obtained. Roses will need the attention 

 advised last month with regard to mildew and old bloom removed when past. Chry- 

 santhemums should be planted out of pots from plants struck in the spring ; older plants 

 will need feeding and thinning of shoots or stopping. 



Vegetables. In case the weather is hot and dry, more attention will be required in 

 watering and feeding, especially when the crops have been recently planted. Gather all 

 vegetable crops as they mature, and do not allow Beans to become old. Gather regularly, 

 also feed in dry weather. Runner Beans in a light soil frequently cast their flowers in hot, 

 dry weather. Water liberally, and top the plants at a height of 6 feet from the soil. 

 If Dwarf Beans are liked, make a sowing of Canadian Wonder on a cool border in 

 rich soil, in drills 2 feet apart, and thin to 3 inches between the plants when above the 

 soil. Cabbage seed must be sown this month. A good date is from the loth to the aoth, 

 according to the locality if north or south, and such kinds as Ellam's Dwarf Early or 

 Button's April cannot be beaten. Coleworts may be sown for late autumn supplies, also 

 Lettuce and Endive. Sow Carrots of the short-horn type for drawing in a young state 

 in autumn and winter. Spray Potatoes at intervals of ten days with Bordeaux mixture 

 to prevent disease. Parsley should be sown, other herbs dried for winter use, and the 

 hoe used freely when possible. 



Fruit Garden. After the ripe strawberries are gathered the cultivator can either layer 

 young runners for new beds or grow the old ones on. We advise both, as by having a 

 new bed yearly and destroying an old one there is always a good supply of fruit. The 

 plants like a well-cultivated soil, and if a little heavy so much the better. Give plenty of 

 well-rotted manure, and keep runner growth cut away. Old plants retained may be cut 

 over, the older leaves being removed to give the new crowns more light and room. This 

 work is best done as soon as the crop is cleared, and in making new beds, if possible give 

 a fresh root run, using the old bed for vegetables for a time. Raspberries will benefit by 

 a mulch of rich material, also moisture in dry weather. Cherries will need attention, as 

 black-fly is a great nuisance, and to destroy this the portion of the tree infested should 

 be given a thorough wetting over either of quassia or tobacco water, dusting over after- 

 wards with tobacco powder. The same advice given last month as regards stopping and 

 laying in shoots is applicable. Feed, water, and syringe, except where fruit is ripening. 

 A sharp lookout must be kept for the Apple moth. This is best destroyed by hand 

 picking. 



AUGUST 



Flower Garden. The Carnations will soon be past their best , and the earlier the young 

 growth can be layered the better. This is a simple process, and is described under Car- 

 nations, p. 125. Pansies strike freely now from cuttings, also many other plants that have 



