392 GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



he would if the weeds were six inches high, and in this matter, 

 more than anything else I know of in gardening, does a ' ' stitch 

 in time save nine." Beans, Peas, Beets, Corn, Cucumbers, Let- 

 tuce, etc., may still be sown for successional crops, and late 

 plantings of Irish Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes will yet do well 

 in suitable soils. Tomatoes should be tied up to trellises or 

 stakes, if fine-flavored and handsome fruit is desired. 



JULY. 



GREENHOUSE AND FLOWER GARDEN. But little need be said 

 of the greenhouse this month. Watering, ventilating, and fu- 

 migating (or the use of tobacco in other forms for destruction of 

 Aphis), must be attended to. Keep th ; atmosphere of the green- 

 house moist. The plants from the greenhouse that may have 

 been plunged out-doors, must be watched when they require 

 repotting ; and where the roots have run through the pots, they 

 should also be occasionally turned round, to break them off; for if 

 this is not done now, it would seriously injure the plant in the 

 fall when the roots have run through the pot and deep into the 

 soil, as they often do. Plants such as Dahlias, Roses, Gladio- 

 luses, as well as many herbaceous perennial and annual plants, 

 will now require staking. Be careful to proportion the size 

 of the stake to that of the plant, and do not tie it too tightly. 

 Stakes painted green look best, and the square are nearly as 

 good as the round ones, and much cheaper. Carnations and 

 other plants that are throwing up flower stem?, if wanted to 

 flower in winter, should be cut back. Top Chrysanthemums to 

 make them bushy. 



FRUIT GARDEN. If there are any signs of mildew on the 

 grape-vine leaves, dust them over with dry sulphur, choosing a 

 still, warm day. The fruit will now be gathered from the 

 Strawberries ; and if new beds are to be formed, the system 

 recommended of layering the plants in small pots is the best. 

 See " Strawberries." Where Apples, Pears, Peaches, etc., have 

 set fruit thickly, thin out one-half or two-thirds of the young 

 fruit, as by doing so you will get at least an equal weight and 

 much finer fruit. The same is true of grape-vines and all 

 other fruits that have set thickly. Where thinning out is prac- 

 ticable, it will always be beneficial to practise it. 



VEGETABLE GARDEN. Plants of Cabbages, Cauliflowers, Cel- 



