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Work for July in the Garden 
I By John Johnson, Massachusetts 
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IN rank with tlie warring nations onr country accepts 
the great responsibihty to not only supply its own 
people with foodstuffs but volunteers to feed allied 
nations. While grim determination to make provision 
for the human frame is predominant, nothing could sub- 
stitute, or afford a more pleasurable relaxation than the 
flower garden. Human love of flowers is coherent witii 
the dawn of comprehension. The influence of flowers 
upon the mind must ever be recognized as a gift bestowed 
by Providence to make the joys of life more than couiUer- 
balance its depravity. Even though the cultivation of 
vegetables absorbs our major effort, we cannot surely 
afford to allow them to supplant entirely the flower gar- 
den. Let us this season as never before accept flowers 
as a beneficent and potent auxiliary intended by Nature 
to brighten the hearts of the sorrowful and afflicted, and 
allow the exquisite beauty of our floral gems to stir 
within us a feeling of gratitude. 
As the Canterbury Bells, Foxgloves and earlier bien- 
nials pass out of flower remove the stock and replant 
the blanks with late annuals as Balsams, Stocks, Asters 
or Dahlias raised from seed or late rooted cuttings. 
Both German and Japanese Iris may be divided and 
replanted as soon as they have flowered. W'hile unneces- 
sary to do this annually, it is well to remember that 
young vigorous plants give better flowers than clumps 
which have been allowed to remain undisturbed over a 
number of years and have thus impoverished the ground 
about them. This applies more particularly to Irises 
growing in the average perennial border. Planted near 
the water edge in rich soil, they thrive well for many 
years without disturbance. 
Timely staking of all perennial plants should be prac- 
tised ; it saves labor, ensures better quality flowers and a 
neat appearance. Plants allowed to flap over for want of 
support show neglect and do much to mar the effect 
which should now be approaching zenith for this season. 
Prune rambler roses that have ceased flowering to- 
ward the end of the month. Cut away old wood not 
required for extension or for otherwise filling in. Tie 
the strongest young growths and allow them room for 
full development by exposure to sun and air. Spray 
both bush and climbing roses to prevent mildew. Any 
commercial fungicide of which Fungine is an example, 
may be used with equal success. Deformed and swollen 
calyxes of the flower and distorted leaves are indica- 
tions of the disease. Examination reveals the pale gray 
mycelium which needs no description, it being only too 
well known among gardeners. Some varieties are more 
subject to this pest than others, but nnich might be done 
to prevent its appearance, as clearing away fallen leaves 
and dead flowers, as well as keeping the surface soil fre- 
quently stirred. Too much or two little water, impover- 
ished soil, or, on the other hand, a check through the 
too free use of fertilizers will render the plant suscept- 
ible to mildew attack. Extreme changes of atmospheric 
conditions are often the cause, but experience teaches 
that any check of which the foregoing are examples will 
cause mildew. 
Give the beds a dressing of blood manure, sulphate of 
ammonia, or tankage, if a stimulant is needed to encour- 
age fresh growth. 
Cut down delphiniums as they pass flowering to en- 
courage basal growths which flower later and at a time 
when many of the choicer perennial flowers are scarce. 
Sweet Peas will be all the better for an occasional 
drenching of weak liquid manure. Keep the flowers 
closely cut, and if a mulch of litter or similar material 
cannot be conveniently used, cultivate the surface fre- 
quently to prevent evaporation of soil moisture. 
Vegetable Garden. Finish layering strawberries re- 
quired for forcing or for making new plantations. Estab- 
lished runners layered in small pots should be cut from 
the parent plant and arranged on a bed of coal ashes 
in a position convenient for watering. Young stock in- 
tended for future planting in the garden may be lifted 
and ])lanted in nursery rows until ground for their final 
transplanting is made ready. Clean off old and worn 
out beds, dig under a liberal quantity of good stable 
manure and turn the plot to good account by planting 
cauliflower, string beans, sweet corn or some such crop 
for Fall use. Plots which have carried early potatoes, 
peas, spinach, beet, etc., may be similarly utilized. 
Maintain a supply of salads by frequent sowings of 
lettuce, radish, mustard and cress. Sowings made at this 
season should be given partial shade. During the latter 
part of July and through the month of August the sultry 
weather renders the production of good head lettuce 
somewhat difficult. With the aid of open frames, good 
rich soil and a few lath shades to put over the frames 
during the hottest part of the day good results may be 
reasonably expected. Give the crop abundance of water 
from now on. 
The medical profession teaches that the natural taste 
for these uncooked vegetables is a healthy craving since 
they contribute important elements to the human frame. 
Certain minerals such as salts of potash are lost in the 
process of cooking, while in salads these are retained to 
the enjoyment and benefit of the consumer. Toward the 
end of the month sow endive, parsley and rtitabaga turnip 
for winter use, and at this time sow cucumber and tomato 
for winter culture in the greenhouse. 
Spray potatoes, tomatoes and melons with Bordeaux 
where blight is likely to give trouble. Finish planting 
winter greens at the earliest possible moment and water 
liberally until the plants are well established. The earli- 
est plantation of celery may be blanched by placing boards 
on either side the row ; if earth is used, do not draw the 
soil too close to the top, but allow a free passage of air 
to the growing crowns. 
The occasional thunder showers which occur in July 
do not render artificial watering unnecessary. In fact, a 
thorough soaking of a crop after the top soil has been 
moistened by the average thunder shower is a practice 
to be encouraged. A continued downpour is required 
to penetrate to a depth of assistance to growth. 
Thin the fruit on trees carrying a too heavy crop to 
secure finer fruit. Young trees, or trees trained against 
walls together with the espaliers, should be regulated by 
having sujierfluous growths removed. This summer prun- 
ing, when pro]ierly attended to, ensures well ripened wood 
and a shapely fruitful tree. 
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