AUGUST 



343 



As soon as the strawberries are picked, mow down the vines and 

 rake off the mulch and vines. This litter may be rotted in the 

 compost heap to destroy insects and diseases. 



Start the cultivator among the strawberry plants immediately 

 after cleaning up. This should continue throughout the season until 

 the ground freezes. 



Early in June is usually the best time to give attention to the 

 thinning of peaches, plums, pears, and apples. Remove fruits 

 when quite small. Leave them far 

 enough apart to avoid touching each 

 other when full grown. (Fig. 243). 



July. — The bush fruits should be 

 pruned after picking is over. Prune 

 back the heads and long canes of 

 blackberries and raspberries. 



This is a good time for propagating 

 black raspberries by tip-layering. 



If bearing trees have not had their 

 crops thinned before this, do it early 

 in July. Thinning pays well in im- 

 proving the quality of the fruit. 



The last cultivation of the orchard 

 trees may be made late in July. Plant 

 a cover crop at this time consisting of rye, winter vetch, and 

 perhaps some crimson clover if the climate is not too severe for it. 



Remember to keep the runners well pruned from the strawberry 

 plants unless you are practicing the matted-row system. 



August. — Remember the currants, gooseberries, raspberries and 

 blackberries. Give them all thorough cultivation during this 

 month. They should be forced in their growth until the end of 

 August. It will help next year's crop. 



This is a good month in which to start a new strawberry, bed. It 

 is well to start a new bed every year as the old plants will not bear 

 well more than two crops. Take the strongest plants started from 

 runners near the old plants. Set these in new rows. Try the 

 hedge-row system if you have never tried it before. See Chapter 

 XX. Plants started in August should be ready to bear a light 

 crop the next year. For this they must be forced to make a good 

 growth the first fall. 



Prune the privet hedge and all shrubs and give them good shape 

 and let them strengthen the buds they are to form for next year's 



Fig. 242. — Paper -lined berry- 

 boxes sometimes used for marketing 

 plums.. 



