THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 121 



of the whole ; the operation will not be attended with much diffi- 

 culty. It is the presence of violent rains which will test and prove 

 the efficacy of thorough drainage in the pot cultivation of plants 

 generally. If this particular has been neglected, much annoyance 

 will be occasioned ; therefore, both after watering and fall of rain, 

 examine the plants. 



If any symptoms of their being " water-logged " are observed, 

 take remedial measures immediately, for you may rest assured that 

 such being the case, all other attentions will be rendered neutral. 

 No plant can possibly flourish if such be the case, and the only 

 remedy is thorough drainage. During hot weather the application 

 of water will form an important feature in out-door management. 

 Nor is it sufficient that you supply it directly to the roots of the 

 plants. After a hot day, and an hour or two before the sun wholly 

 leaves them, the syringe must be brought into play ; and during 

 hot sunshine, let the pots be often syringed over, and the ground, 

 both between the plants and around them, often under the influence 

 of the watering-pot. 



By these means a cool atmosphere will be secured, for it is a law 

 of matter that rapid evaporation produces coldness; and when a 

 plant is in rapid growth a considerable quantity of moisture is 

 absorbed by the leaves, and by furnishing a constantly evaporating 

 surface the surrounding atmosphere is loaded with moisture. In 

 the morning the application of the syringe will scarcely be found 

 necessary. Heavy dews, except in cases of a cloudy atmosphere or 

 drying winds, will supply its place. And when you look upon 

 them in the morning, with every leaflet rejoicing in the sunshine 

 and moisture, and their whole foliage exhibiting a vivid green, you 

 cannot but admire them, fancifully imagining that they welcome 

 you with a gladsome look. As the sun decreases in his altitude, 

 and the young wood begins to assume maturity, moisture in every 

 form must, of course, be decreased in proportion. Still many well- 

 rooted specimens will require constant attention in this matter. 

 Few plants absorb more moisture than heaths in full vigour, other 

 circumstances being similar. 



I should have observed before that many persons place porous 

 stones, or pieces of potsherds, on the surface of the mould around 

 the stems, to prevent a too speedy evaporation. In this — 



" The bane and antidote are both before us.'' 



It may possibly prevent evaporation ; but, on the other hand, it 

 prevents us ascertaining the degree of moisture in the soil, and 

 is apt to lead one into the belief that water is not required, when 

 the contrary is the case. Therefore all auxiliaries of this kind had 

 better be diecarded, relying entirely upon constant and assiduous 

 attention. 



April. 



