In July the garden should be in full beauty and productiveness, and the aim of the gardener must be to keep a tight grip on the ground that he has made, and see that every advantage gained is followed up keenly. Growing crops should be kept in vigorous and healthy motion by regular hoeing of the soil, by mulching, by watering, and by preventing seed ripening. The home-saving of seed is not economical as a rule, and plants go out of flower the quicker when seed pods are allowed to form. A good example of this is found in the Sweet Pea. If flowers of this beautiful annual are gathered regularly, and seed production is prevented, the plants remain fresh, and yield abundance of flowers, over a much longer period than when they are allowed to run to seed.

Herbaceous Calceolarias may be sown for flowering in the following spring, and Cinerarias, Cyclamens, and Primulas placed in small pots, or repotted in larger ones.

Seed of biennials and perennials, lists of which were given in the previous chapter, may be sown.

Violas which have been flowering incessantly for several weeks should be clipped over, and given a top-dressing of fresh soil and manure.

Roses may be budded after the first spell of showery weather in July or August.

Carnations may be layered towards the end of July if the side shoots ("grass") are strong and healthy. The flower stems of Carnations should be staked, and the buds may be thinned if a limited number of flowers are wanted.

Some of the Chrysanthemums which are being grown to produce prize blooms may show their first crown buds towards the end of July. If so the buds should be picked out, as they are too early, and the growths which start below them thinned to one on each shoot.

Ferns must have shade during hot sunshine, and care must be taken to prevent their suffering from drought.

Marguerites are sometimes attacked by a leaf-mining grub, and if the foliage becomes affected the plants had better be looked over, the leaves pinched, and a paraffin and soft-soap wash applied.

Mildew may appear on various plants, notably Roses, and at the first appearance of it flowers of sulphur should be dusted on.

Daffodils may be lifted, and the different sizes of bulbs replanted.

The principal operations in the fruit garden will be preserving ripening fruit from birds, and summer pruning. A supply of fish netting is almost essential where Strawberries, bushes, and wall fruit are grown. Strawberry runners may be layered.

In the vegetable garden early Peas and Potatoes are maturing. Peas should not be left on the ground after all the young pods have been gathered. Potatoes are ready for lifting when the foliage becomes yellow.

If any signs of Potato disease should appear, the plants ought to be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture before the blight has time to spread.

Winter Greens and Cauliflowers may be planted. If large white butterflies are seen fluttering about the plants, they should be caught with nets if possible, in order to prevent their laying eggs. The caterpillars which hatch from the eggs are injurious to the plants, as they feed on the foliage. Cabbages may be sown for spring.

Tomatoes should be pruned, and given liquid manure when swelling their crop if growing in poor soil.

Celery and Leeks may be planted in prepared ground. Early Celery can be partially earthed.

If mildew should attack the Onion crop, it ought to be checked at once by dusting with lime.

Mushroom beds may be prepared for cropping in autumn.