Pyongyang, July 9 (KCNA) -- July is the month when the hottest period of a year begins and much rain falls in the DPRK.

July has Soso, the 11th of the 24 seasonal divisions according to the lunar calendar when the summer heat begins, and Taeso, the 12th of the 24 seasonal divisions when the summer heat is at its height.

Soso and Taeso fall on July 7 and July 22 this year.

From olden times, the Korean people have weeded paddies and fields several times in Soso as the corps grow well.

Before and after Taeso, they have secured green manure to be used for next year's farming. The grasses which were cut and piled up in the period were turned into the organic fertilizer good for next year's farming.

In July, there are the first and second periods of the midsummer heat called Chobok and Jungbok.

Chobok and Jungbok fall on July 20 and July 30 respectively

From olden times, the Korean people used to make various foods good for preventing heat and protecting their health in those periods.

Typical of them are chicken soup boiled with glutinous rice, garlic of one bulb and ginseng, and rice gruel prepared with red beans mashed and strained.

The favorite folk game in July is koni game. -0-