CHAPTER VI 
WORK FOR SUMMER DAYS 
WHEN June is well under way, the gardener 
rests on his hoe and draws a breath of relief. But 
only for a moment; work must go on and on. 
Theoretically growth should now cover the 
ground completely. There are bare spots, how- 
ever, and weeds are struggling to get possession 
of every one of them. Such spots must be gone 
‘over at least once, and there are the paths to 
hoe again. All of which is very prosaic when 
there is a riot of roses and the Canterbury bells 
and foxgloves are vying with them and each other. 
Pruning the shrubs that have bloomed in spring 
is a task of early summer. Most will stand plenty 
of cutting back, as it is the new wood that will 
furnish the next year’s blossoms. Limit the 
pruning of lilacs to the removal of weak and super- 
fluous branches and the disfiguring seed clusters. 
Pinch off the tops of hardy chrysanthemums, to 
make them branch. In August pinch off the ends 
of the branches. 
Bugs demand June attention. The principal of- 
fender is the rose bug, which is not satisfied with 
44 
