28 



A SIMPLE FLOWER GARDEN. 



CHAPTER III. 



JUNE. 



WEEDING 



Is the horticultural terror that deters many people from hav- 

 ing a garden. Weeds always will come up, and the richer 

 the soil, the more readily they do so. Yet, if properly 

 managed, they present no serious obstacle to success. The 

 true method of treating them is to destroy them when very 

 young — not over one-half inch high. They never need 

 be pulled up by hand, except from those few spots where 

 the hoe cannot reach them. The hoe used is known as a 

 long-handled shuffle hoe, and is pushed about over the sur- 

 face, cutting off and destroying the young weeds. If they 

 are thus taken in hand early, before they acquire a firm 

 hold in the ground, the trouble of removing is very slight. 

 Choose a bright, sunny morning, when the wind and sun 

 will wilt the tiny plants thrown out by the hoe. As soon 

 as they appear again, repeat the dose. The iron rake will 

 here come in play to remove the marks of the hoe and any 

 lingering weed not killed by the sun. No weeds must be 

 suffered to remain on the ground over night, because, if not 

 utterly dead, the cool air and dew may revive them and 



