THE WINTER 



BEFORE closing this paper it may be well 

 to give a few general directions about the 

 care of plants grown for winter flowering. In 

 late fall we seldom have much sunshine, and 

 evaporation of moisture from the soil will be 

 slow. Our plants at this season will, for the 

 most part, be making very little growth, and 

 a plant not growing actively is not in a condi- 

 tion to need much water. Therefore we must 

 be careful to give only enough to keep the soil 

 moderately moist. It should never be wet. 

 If we were to water freely at this time, a sour- 

 ing of the soil would most likely take place, 

 and this would result in a diseased condition 

 of the roots, from which the plant might not 

 recover. As soon as sunny weather sets in and 

 the plants begin to make a vigorous growth 

 the supply of water can be increased. Let the 

 increase be in proportion to the development 

 of the plant. 



Plants not making much growth are in no 

 need of a fertilizer, because they are not in a 

 condition to assimilate it. The application of 

 one at such times will do great harm. Wait 

 until they begin to grow, and then apply it. 

 Give it in small quantities at first, and increase 

 it from time to time as the condition of the 



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