MONTHLY CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS. 241 



Where apples, pears, peaches, etc. , have set fruit thickly, thin out 

 one-half or two-thirds of the young fruit, as by doing so you will 

 get at least an equal weight and much finer fruit. The same is 

 true of grape-vines and all other fruits that have set thickly; 

 where thinning out is practicable, it will always be beneficial to 

 practice it. 



Vegetable Garden. — Plants of cabbages, cauliflowers, celery, 

 and all similar varieties of vegetables wanted for fall or winter use 

 are best planted this month, though in some sections they will do 

 if left until next. See directions given under these separate heads. 

 Sweet corn, beans, cucumbers and lettuce may yet be planted for 

 late crops, and in some sections ruta-baga turnips for the main 

 winter crop. Tomatoes should be kept tied up to stakes or trel- 

 lises, and sweet potatoes must be hoed so as to prevent the vines 

 rooting at the joints. 



AUGUST. 



Greenhouse and Flower-Garden. — The instructions for 

 July apply with but little variation in these departments this 

 month. 



Fruit-Garden.— Strawberries that were planted in spring, and 

 also those that have fruited will now be making " runners " or 

 young plants freely. All runners should be kept cut off close to 

 the old plant, so that the full force of the root is expended in ma- 

 turing the " crowns " or fruit buds of the next season's crop. If 

 plants are wanted for fresh plantations, about the required number 

 can be allowed to run, but should be layered in pots, as recom- 

 mended under Strawberries. Cut away the old stems of raspber- 

 ries and blackberries that have borne their fruit, and thin out the 

 young shoots to three or four canes to each hill or plant, if tied to 

 stakes and topped when 4 or 5 feet high, they will make stronger 

 canes for fruiting next year. 



Vegetable Garden. — Planted crops, such as cabbage, cauli- 

 flower, and celery, should be hoed deeply. We do not recom- 

 mend the earthing up of celery this month. Onions will in many 

 sections now be ready for harvesting ; this condition will be 

 known by the tops becoming yellow and falling down ; they are 

 best dried by placing them in some dry shed in thin layers. For 

 sweet potatoes, see directions of last month. Spinach may be 

 sown for early fall use, but it is yet too early to sow for the winter 

 crop. Eed-top, White Globe, and Yellow Aberdeen turnips should 

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