GLEANINGS FROM OLD AUTHORS. 159 



With respect to this, we must distinguish between the different 

 seasons. In summer, plants require much watering, especially in 

 the evening, after the sun is down, that the water, which has a pro- 

 pitious influence, may foment itself in the bosom of the earth, and so 

 its subtilest parts may be conveyed into the roots for their benefit. 



Plants require some watering in winter, but it must not be done 

 in that season till some time after the sun-rise ; nor must it ever be 

 done at night, lest they should freeze in the night-time, when the 

 cold is keenest. Besides this watering must be moderate, and care 

 must be taken not to wet the leaves, but the stalk and root ; which is 

 dexterously done by pouring the water from the neck of a small wa- 

 tering-pot without a head. 



Besides the proper season for watering, we must likewise have 

 regard to the proper quantity. Too much or too little makes plants 

 droop ; whereas, when they imbibe just what their nature will bear, 

 they thrive and grow wonderfully. 



In watering plants, we generally make use of a watering-pot, which, 

 spouting out the water contained in it, in the form of rain, moistens 

 them equally all over, and sensibly refreshes them. 



Some plants set in pots, are sometimes so dry, that they fade and 

 droop ; in which case, we set the pots in water till it comes within a 

 finger's breadth of the brim ; there let them stand, till the water, 

 entring at the holes in the lower part of the pot, appears upon the 

 surface of the earth contained in the pot. Then take them out, and 

 set them in some other place to drain. 



Sometimes the earth, whether in pots, boxes, or open beds, by 

 being over-heaten with moisture, forms upon its surface a crust, 

 which is so hard, that the water falling upon it, runs off from the 

 root of the plant, where its service is required : in this case, you 

 must stir up the earth, that the moisture passing directly, may pen- 

 etrate and revive the plant. 



It is given out, that well-water being insufficiently rarified, by 

 reason of its degrees of cold, is not salutary to plants : but experience 

 shews, that when it is taken up at some distance of time, and heated 

 in vessels by the sun beams, it operates very well. 



Running- water is most esteemed, on account of its agitation and 

 incessant flux, it subtilizes, and warms itself, and so gains beneficial 

 qualities. 



Water taken from cisterns, is yet better, by reason, that falling 

 from on high, it is richly stocked with the subtile parts of the air, 

 and the fire, to which we owe our life ; so that it cannot but render a 

 garden very fertile. For the same reasons, we find that rains make 

 th<- fields very fertile. 



