THE GARDEN 



can be used to advantage. If the season happens 

 to be a dry one, do not allow the soil to become 

 hard, and caked on the surface, under the im- 

 pression that it will not be safe to stir it because 

 of the drouth. A soil that is kept light and open 

 will absorb all the moisture there is in the air, 

 while one whose surface is crusted over cannot do 

 this, therefore plants growing in it suffer far 

 more than those do in the soil that is stirred 

 constantly. Aim to get all possible benefit from 

 dews and slight showers by keeping the soil in 

 such a sponge-like condition that it can take 

 advantage of them. 



It is a good plan to use the grass-clippings 

 from the lawn as a mulch about your plants in 

 hot, dry weather. 



Do not begin to water plants in a dry season 

 unless you can keep up the practice. Better 

 let them take the chances of pulling through 

 without the application than to give it for a 

 short time and then abandon it because of the 

 magnitude of the task. 



Furnish racks and trellises for such plants as 

 need them as soon as they are needed. Many 

 a good plant is spoiled by neglecting to give 

 attention to its requirements at the proper time. 



Make it a rule to go over the garden at least 

 twice a week, after the flowering season sets in, 



104, 



