160 GLEANINGS FROM OLD AUTHORS. 



As for pool, and stagnating waters, some say they are not at all 

 friendly to plants ; because, say they, they contain some gross parts, 

 which cannot without difficulty penetrate the plants, and so are apt to 

 do more harm than good; besides, continue they, they are apt to 

 breed worms, which cling to, and destroy their roots, to the fatal 

 prejudice of the plant. But, after all, we find that even these waters 

 rarified by heat, are admirably serviceable to the root of a flower ; 

 which gives us to know, that by virtue of that rari faction, the stag- 

 nating waters get rid of their impurities. So that upon the whole 

 we are not in the wrong, if we say that this opinion is scrupulous 

 without ground. 



Sometimes it so falls, out, that the frequent rains would over-soak 

 the earth contained in Flower-pots, if due care were not taken to pre- 

 vent the inconveniency. And, upon this consideration, if the time 

 permits, these pots ought, upon the apprehension of such occasions, 

 be laid down on their side, with the bottom to the wind-ward; for, 

 without this precaution, the Mother-Roots, and their off-spring 

 would be in danger of dying 



It is sometimes observed, that a plant decays, when a certain yel- 

 lowish colour appears upon its leaves ; in which case, the disorder is 

 taken to proceed from its roots. To redress this disorder, we take 

 the flower-pot, and place it on one side, and gently pouring in water 

 out of a little pot with a small pipe, till it gradually makes a hollow 

 down to the root ; we then perceive where the disorder in (he root 

 lies : then we take a hooked knife, and cut the disordered part to the 

 quick. This done we leave the wound or incisiou, to dry for half an 

 hour, and then cover with a little turpentine, and at last, fill the pot 

 with dry and very light earth. 



If it be a bulbous root that falls under this disorder, it behoves 

 you, dexterously to shed the earth round it, in order to lay open the 

 place affected ; which done, we cut it with a knife to the quick, and 

 take off the spoiled tunicles, or coats ; after which, we cover up the 

 whole with such earth as we last prescribed. 



We oftentimes observe, upon the surface of the earth in a flower- 

 pot, a certain whitish mouldiness, which is like a cobweb covered 

 with a little dew, and smells like mushrooms. Such earth is per- 

 nicious both to the roots, and to the shoots of the plant ; and, for 

 that reason, whenever we perceive any such mouldiness, and the 

 subsequent decay of the plant, the best thing we can do is to change 

 the earth, by putting in its room fresh earth, sufficiently enriched 

 with salts, and of a light temperament. This will revive the plant. 



