190 GARDEN PROFITS 



plants. As it is expensive, buy about ten pounds 

 at a time, making it go as far as you can, without 

 skimping. This encourages root action and re- 

 news growth. Keep the cultivator working. It 

 is not only the best protection against dry weather, 

 but also keeps the weeds in check. 



Fruits. Currants may need some spraying this 

 month. Use arsenate of lead, or Paris green, if 

 you feel more at home with it. 



Strawberries. After your strawberry bed has 

 borne two crops (that is when it is three years old) 

 you might as well plow it up and use the ground 

 for something else. This presupposes that you 

 have another section of the bed coming into bear- 

 ing next year. It is a very nice plan to spread 

 straw or hay around your plants for the berries 

 to rest on. It keeps them clean and helps them to 

 ripen evenly. 



JULY 



Fighting the Heat and Drought. The usual July 

 condition in the vegetable garden is merely a sur- 

 vival of the fittest the weather is both hot and 

 dry. If possible, artificial watering must be done. 

 Of course, there is nothing to equal a good, natural 

 rainfall, but rather than let the crops die, give them 

 plenty of water at any or all times of the day, even 

 though it be cold spring water. When you do 

 give water, give freely. Plants are like animals; 

 when they are dry and thirsty they want a real 

 drink and not a mere spoonful; therefore, if the 

 weather warrants it, keep the sprinklers going all 



