^IKq £Mont/vs & Qm.in.dQr 
“Come with me, then, behind the scenes, where we are concerned only with the joys of plant increase and rejuvenation” 
The Reminder is to “suggest" what may be done during the next few weeks. Details of 
haw to do each item are given in the current or the back issues of The Garden Macazine — it 
is manifestly impossible to give all the details of all the work in any one issue of a magazine. 
References to back numbers may be looked up in the index to each completed volume (sent 
gratis on request), and the Service Department will also be glad to cite references to any spe- 
cial topic if asked by mail. 
When referring to the time for out-door work of any sort New York City at sea level in a nor- 
mal season is taken as standard; but at best dates can only be approximate. Roughly, the sea- 
son advances northward fifteen miles a day. Thus Albany, which is one hundred and fifty 
miles from New York, would be about ten days later, and Philadelphia which is ninety miles 
southwest, about a week earlier. Also allow jour days for each degree of latitude, for 
each five degrees of longitude, and for each four hundred feet of altitude. 
AUGUST— THE MONTH OF RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT 
THIS time the successes and the failures of this year’s garden 
^ enterprises are apparent — or should be; therefore it is perhaps 
I 3 A the best of all times to look forward to the garden’s future — to 
y,-<, plan to correct existing errors, and to avoid further ones. 
Flower garden and vegetable garden alike reveal now their 
weak spots. Take note of these, analyze them, and let them be your 
guide-posts. 
General 
The cultivation of the garden generally becomes an easier task from 
now on, though it must be kept on unremittingly. But as vege- 
tables grow and spread and occupy the ground, weeds obviously 
have less chance; and the space to be cultivated grows less. Since 
it is not for the purpose of eliminating weeds alone however, that 
this is done, but to conserve the water that has sunk into the soil 
every time it has rained, the time never comes when it can be aban- 
doned, however few the weeds. Let there be no doubt about this. 
The planting of Evergreens begins this month; always water them well 
and mulch them also. 
Greenhouse and Frames 
All bulbs which are to be in flower for the holidays must be planted now. 
Sow seeds of Primroses, Calceolarias, Cinerarias and Cyclamen for 
winter bloom, and of Pansies and English Daisies for spring bloom 
in the coldframe. 
Of vegetables sow' forcing Tomatoes, Melons, Cucumbers, and Cauli- 
flower. 
Lift Carnations that have been outdoors, and plant in benches. 
Repot Callas and other plants that may need more root room. 
Take cuttings of Heliotrope and Geranium for winter flowering. 
Sow seeds of any rockplants desired, to be wintered in coldframe and 
planted in permanent positions in the spring. 
Get the compost pile ready from which to draw potting soil later on. 
Flower Garden 
Pick the flowers constantly and never let anything get started at making 
seed, both for the sake of the plant and for the looks of the garden. 
Few things make for a generally run-down appearance in the degree 
that seed-heads everywhere do; rarely are they decorative, usually 
they are ugly. 
Sow' seeds of all kinds of perennials now, as soon as the seed can be gath- 
ered if you are saving your own, or as soon as you can get it from 
the grower, if you are starting new varieties. Use an old coldframe 
or hotbed, where protection can be given, as seedlings cannot en- 
dure the extremes of sun and storm which this season of the year 
brings. 
Plant bulbs of Madonna Lilies as soon as they may be obtained as every 
day’s delay means deterioration. 
Watch for Aster beetles; there is no remedy save hand picking but this 
will do more than seems possible if vigorously prosecuted. 
Vegetable Garden 
Make the final sowing of Beets, sowing thinly since there is less taste 
for and need of “greens” late in the season than earlier. 
Sow Pole and Lima Beans for late bearing. 
Sow an early variety of Corn, such as Mammoth White Cob Cory; 
sow also Carrots, Endive, Lettuce, and Spinach. 
Set out late Celery plants immediately, if possible. 
Harvest early Cabbage; cultivate the main crop assiduously to keep it 
growing well and in good condition for winter storage. 
Harvest Onions as soon as they are fully developed. 
Continue to prune Tomatoes and pick the fruit regularly. Watch out 
especially for any diseased fruits and pick these at the first sign of 
spot or decay. 
Sow extra early, wrinkled Peas for a final crop. 
Sow both Turnips and Rutabagas now. 
Cucumbers for pickling may be sown now; sow also Globe Artichokes 
in a protected place, as you would sow perennials, for transplanting 
in the spring; sow Salsify for spring use and Welsh Onions also, for 
seasoning. 
Fruits 
This is the month of the Strawberry bedpeither pot-grown plants or 
layers from an old bed will furnish the new — and there are always 
new varieties worth trying out to the extent of twenty-five or fifty 
plants. Only by trying oneself can the merits of any variety be 
proven, for the Strawberry differs more according to location and 
cultivation than any other fruit. 
Cut out old canes from Raspberries and Blackberries and thin the new 
growths to three or four; cut these back to three feet in length and 
head in the laterals rising therefrom when these are of reasonable 
length; grub up all suckers between the rows. 
Layer Gooseberries and Currants, or take cuttings now, making them 
six to eight inches long and planting them up to the terminal bud. 
FETES AND SHOWS 
American Dahlia Society’s Show. Once again the annual fall 
gathering of Dahlia fanciers will be held in New York City, but in a 
new location. The Hotel Pennsylvania Roof has been selected and a 
scheme is developing to make the display truly representative of the 
interest in the Dahlia. Several Garden Clubs of the metropolitan 
district will move into town for the national society’s event. This 
assures the local club of competent judging under the auspices of the 
national organization, and also serves as an opportunity for the clubs 
to meet each other. The American Dahlia Society will make awards 
to the club exhibits as a whole, but each club will hold its own exhibi- 
tion and competition among its own members. This move was at the 
instance of the Park Garden Club of Flushing, N. Y. The exhibition 
will be open September 27th and two following days. 
A New Dahlia. Shortly after the death of the late J. Harrison Dick, 
Secretary of the Dahlia Society, someone suggested that the best new 
Dahlia brought out and passed by the judges should be named for him. 
This Dahlia was produced by Mrs. Chas. L. Stout, of Short Hills, N. J. 
After receiving the premium and growing and exhibiting the flower 
again the second year, she very generously donated the entire stock 
to be propagated and sold for the benefit of the Dahlia Society. 
The Westchester Floralia. The Westchester Floralia, which, with 
its wonderful flower display and sculpture exhibit was held so success- 
fully at Hartsdale, N. Y., last September, will be repeated in 1921. The 
Executive Committee of the Floralia have decided that it should be 
held alternately in the autumn and the spring, thereby obtaining the 
garden results of both seasons. The date of the next Floralia has been 
set for some time in June, 1921. 
Through an oversight the article entitled “A City Roof as a 
Summer Resort,” which appeared in the June issue of the Garden 
Magazine, failed to credit Carol Hurd with joint authorship with 
Marion Hurd McNeely of the story, and Alda Wilson with the 
photographs accompanying it. 
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