272 THE GARDENER. [June 



finding moist soil. It used to be the most troublesome question we 

 had to solve in former days, when, on looking over our plants, there 

 were those which, though not dry, yet were not wet ; and the fear of 

 doing something terrible in its consequences debarred the plants from 

 receiving the water they required, till drooping leaves caused a double- 

 quick rush after the watering-pot. We feel no fear now, when we 

 come across a plant in this condition of moisture, to supply it with 

 water. We don't like to see the soil get dry before watering ; and 

 with a plant in growth, with heat, air, and light, the dread of killing 

 it with too much water may be dispensed with, to the advantage both 

 of plant and cultivator. Of course it is quite easy to give too much; 

 but judgment and a little experience will be the best guide to the 

 time when water ought to be given. Generally speaking, when the 

 particles of soil are in a state of non-cohesion, no harm will accrue from 

 giving water, even though the plant does not seem to require it, only 

 water ought to be withheld till the same non-cohesive property is 

 noticed in the soil. Plants watered thus never suffer a check from 

 want of water. In the case of fruits grown in pots, such as the Yine, 

 Peach, &c., in flowers such as Cinerarias, Calceolarias, and others, unless 

 treated thus, satisfactory results need not be looked for. We know 

 perfectly well that plants extract moisture from the soil when to all 

 appearance there is none in it ; but this is only a power for the preser- 

 vation of life, common to animals as well as plants. No one will say 

 that it is impossible for animal life to be preserved for days without 

 food, but as little will any one say that such a state is conducive to 

 healthiness. It is just the same in the case of plants. Allowing them 

 to become dry deprives them of the means whereby they procure sus- 

 tenance ', and, though not killed, if this style of watering is persisted 

 in, the penalty will be stunted plants, and flowers and fruit deficient in 

 quantity and quality, besides an unlimited host of insect pests to keep 

 under, and a larger quantity of water required to moisten the soil, 

 besides what escapes between the shrunken ball and the pot. The 

 quantity of water required at one time for a plant is well worthy of 

 attention. When the soil is constantly kept moist, it will be found 

 that very little is needed to thoroughly wet it. Any more is prejudicial, 

 inasmuch as every drop of water which drains through the bottom 

 of the pot has dissolved its share of the goodness in the soil, and 

 carries it with it. 



As to the rationale of supplying plants with manure-water, we always 

 consider it full time to use it when a plant has well-nigh used up the soil 

 in the pot in which it is intended for flowering or fruiting. A great many 

 gardeners abstain from using it till the buds are set, and supply it to 

 the plant one, two, or three times a- week. Why it should not be used 



