CALENDAE FOR SOUTHERN STATES 261 



premises, or to climb on screens forming backgrounds for 

 flower gardens. 



Many of the tender annual flowers may still be sown in the 

 open garden, but put them where they will not need trans- 

 planting. Hot weather is a bad time to transplant them. 



Keep the flower beds well watered and the soil well 

 stirred. If the plants have a struggle at this season, the 

 summer and fall show of flowers will be much reduced. 



Trees, Fruits and Lawns. — The cultivator should be used 

 about all trees and bush fruits. Growth should be stimulated 

 now. 



This is perhaps the best time to thin peaches, apples, pears 

 and plums on the trees. Do it early. Never allow the fruits 

 to touch each other after reaching full growth. The result 

 of thinning is larger and better fruit (Fig. 138). 



Small pruning with the fingers may begin late this month. 

 Remove all unnecessary growth from fruit trees as soon as 

 found. 



Apple trees must be watched closely for borers. 



Keep the strawberry beds free from weeds and grass. 

 When the harvest is over in the bearing beds, remove the mulch, 

 mow the vines, rake all the litter off and put it in the compost 

 heap. Stimulate a new growth by cultivation. Water the bed 

 if the weather is dry. Cultivation should follow the watering 

 and continue throughout the summer. 



JUNE 



Vegetables.-^A number of crops for fall harvesting may 

 be started now. Make plantings of collards, rutabagas, and 

 plant sweet corn early and late in the month. 



Plant a few more hills of squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, 

 watermelons and muskmelons. At this season give them 

 plenty of water to germinate the seed and keep the plants 

 growing. 



Sweet-potato vines may be set when the soil is moist 



