172 OBSERVATIONS ON WATERING I'LANTS IN T 'TS. 



twice a day at the least. After they have bloomed, they require but 

 little till April. 



4. Bulbous rooted Plants. 



Many of this class of plants vegetate and bloom during the 

 autumn, winter, and spring months. At whatever season of the 

 year a Bulb vegetates, it should be planted in moist soil, but very 

 little water should be supplied until it has shot up an inch or two, 

 then the water should be given more freely and increased in 

 quantity as the plant grows. When in full bloom the water may 

 be lessened in a slight degree (taking care, however, to keep the 

 soil constantly moist) in order the longer to enjoy the beauty of 

 the flower. As soon as it is out cf bloom, water must be freely 

 supplied in order to enable the leaves to be matured, and the 

 exhausted bulb to become thereby re-established. Most young 

 Florists err on this subject. Upon the growth of the leaves after 

 Bulbous rooted plants have bloomed, depends the formation of the 

 flower bud for the ensuing year ; therefore, water should be given 

 freely until the ends of the leaves turn yellow, which in most of 

 the common Bulbs, as Hyacinths, Narcissus, &c. will be in from 

 one to two months after their bloom. From that period the water 

 should be gradually lessened, and in a few day altogether discon- 

 tinued. Then the pots should be laid on their sides in a shady 

 situation, where the soil in the pots will gradually dry, and the 

 leaves and fibres of the roots wither ; afterwards the roots may be 

 taken up and preserved, to be replanted at the proper season. 

 5. Aquatics. 



But few of this class of jdants enter into the Amateur's green- 

 house or frame, therefore, they require but a short notice. The 

 Mimulus rivularis is one of the most beautilul. This plant will 

 grow luxuriantly during the summer months whilst in bloom, if 

 the pot is placed in a China bowl filled with water, when it makes 

 a very pleasing object in a room ; (the Mimulus moschatus is also 

 very desirable both for its foliage and scent). During the winter 

 months, most Aquatics have but little foliage on the surface of the 

 pots ; they must then be kept quite out of the reach of frost, and 

 receive but little water, still the soil should be kept moderately 

 moist. By keeping the soil in a pot thoroughly moist, I mean 

 that it should contain as much moisture as it can retain, so as to 



