IQO KALENDAR [PT. 



then be thrown in and levelled, and as soon as the 

 temperature subsides to 90, seed boxes and pans, pre- 

 viously prepared, may be plunged into the compost. The 

 great essentials are first, a uniform degree of heat and 

 moisture, which can be obtained by a cautious admission 

 of outside air ; next, watchful and judicious shading at 

 night and whenever during the day the sun is strong, 

 an avoidance of draughts, and afterwards a careful 

 hardening off of the young plants (by gradual exposure 

 to the air and diminishing the supply of water) before 

 transferring them at the next stage to the cold frame or 

 greenhouse. The details of management must, however, 

 be learned by degrees, but they will easily be acquired 

 by careful attention to details and consultation with those 

 who have learned by their own experience rather than 

 from books. 



One of the very first essentials in gardening is the 

 proper application of water. In hot and dry weather 

 growing plants should be watered daily, sometimes oftener 

 one good soaking is more beneficial than many sprink- 

 lings ; often the soil must be loosened to enable the water 

 to penetrate and not run away on the surface. As a 

 rule, the best time for watering is the evening ; when 

 it is possible, rain water should be used, and what is 

 drawn from a well or pipe should stand for some hours 

 exposed to the action of air and sun ; it should be of 

 about the same temperature as the air surrounding the 

 plant, and plants in bloom ought never to be showered 

 overhead. 



