REPLANTING OR POTTING PLANTS. 81 



The water should never be allowed to remain in the 

 pan under the pot, as it tends to rot the roots. It may be 

 well to observe that plants should be watered with a rose 

 on the spout of a watering pot, and the more finely it is 

 perforated the better, so as to sprinkle the water lightly 

 over the flowers and leaves, without bending them down 

 with its weight. 



Many persons think it sufficient to water the roots, 

 which is a great mistake. It materially contributes to 

 its health and beauty to sprinkle the whole plant : 



"Comforting tlie garden, woods, and flowers 



With the cool spray of artificial showers." Garcilasso. 



Of such plants as are succulent, it is generally advised to 

 water the leaves but seldom, lest a redundancy of moist- 

 ure should rot them. The best way in watering all 

 plants, is rather to cast the water at, than to pour it on 

 them, as it falls more lightly. It will be observed that 

 more water, as well as more shelter, must be necessary 

 for potted plants than for those in the open ground. 



AIR AND LIGHT. 



Flowers must not be denied the light, towards which 

 they naturally turn ; the want of it will injure their health 

 as much as the want of water, air, or warmth. 



They must also be allowed air, even those that will not 

 bear the outer air must have the air, of the room fre- 

 quently freshened by ventilation, to preserve them in 

 health. Care should be taken not to let plants stand in 

 a draught, for, when so situated, one strong gust of an 

 easterly wind will often prove sufficient to destroy them. 



