CHAPTER XXI. 



HOW TO WATER PLANTS. THE QUANTITY OF WATER 



REQUIRED. THREE IMPORTANT MATTERS IN GROW- 

 ING CAMELLIAS. HOW TO HAVE FINE FLOWERS. 



FROM the first of November to the first of March, my 

 houses are examined every day, and my large plants in the 

 ground are watered about once in two weeks. 



Those in pots and tubs, once in three days. 



The soil of all plants will tell when they require water. 



During the months of March, April and May, the 

 plants will be growing, and will need much more water 

 than at any other time of the year. 



The plants must be watered thoroughly. 



The top may have a damp appearance and yet the 

 roots be dry. 



I have frequently seen plants twenty years old receive 

 about one quart of water, or enough to wet the surface. 



This manner of watering is very injurious, and if re- 

 peated often it will, in a short time, prove fatal to the 

 plant. 



A plant of this size will not require water every day, 

 but when it does, give it from six to eight gallons at one 

 watering. 



Those planted in the ground will require twice this 

 quantity of water if really dry, and it will do the plants no 

 harm; a great quantity of water is here lost in the beds. 



Camellias are not at all difficult to manage, although 

 they are not always to be seen in a satisfactory condition. 



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