THE 



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JVLY, 1861. 



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ATEE has been described as an excellent thing 

 for — navigation ; it is also an excellent thing for 

 gardening, as most of our readers know by this time. 

 The deficiency of sun last season has been almost made 

 up to us already. It is hard work to shade, and 

 water, and mulch, and by other means keep the 

 roots of plants cool and moist; but the sunshine is 

 so welcome, that few gardeners grudge the labour if 

 they can but get water. Too much last year, too 

 little this. What a capital excuse for grumbling; but 

 how should we estimate that man's faith in providence 

 who would grumble when, to insure all the results 

 desired in gardening, water is now almost the only 

 JS^ow, we cannot tell our readers who are short of 

 water how to increase their supplies, for wells cannot be sunk at an 

 hour's notice, and many old and deep wells are getting so low that the 

 pump threatens to strike work unless favoured with more liberal wages ; 

 but we can tell them how to use water to the best advantage, and how to 

 do without it in some measiu-e if it cannot be got, and so we may devote 

 a short space to a few practical remarks, for the cry is water, water, 

 water, and the barometer stands still, and the glorious sunshine makes 

 the earth like a hotbed and plant-houses like ovens. Look at a piece of 

 loam, baked hard with heat, planted with dahlias, cabbages, or what not ; 

 not a drop of water, or, if plenty, the labour of carrying and delivering 

 would be too much to think of. Use the hoe over tlxat piece of ground, 

 as if you would let out the last drop of moisture from the soil by evapo- 

 ration. But, presto ! you have conquered the enemy. Next morning the 

 plants look fresher, they grow above ground and below ground, and get 

 substance, when it appears as if the heat ought to kill them. How do 

 they get moisture when the surface is thus broken ? "What a chance for 

 a little theorizing in reply to such a question, but let us dismiss the 

 question by simply stating that after hot days there are heavy dews, and 

 VOL. IV. — xo. VII. n 



