32 ON THE CULTURE 



Soft water is essentially necessary for the 

 plants, as hard is almost certain of producing 

 the canker, unless particular means are adopted 

 to prevent it. In some situations it may be 

 impossible to obtain soft water ; in such a case, 

 let the water stand in a tub for at least twenty- 

 four hours ; if two or three days even it will be 

 the better, as in that time it will be in some 

 degree softened by the sun, and the raw coldness 

 expelled from it. 



After the plants have come into bearing, sheeps 

 dung is an excellent thing to mix with the 

 water, if used in a moderate manner. The 

 following proportion will be necessary : To six 

 pots of water put in the tub one shovel-full of 

 dung ; let this be stirred up continually for the 

 space of two or three days, and when wanted for 

 use, it must be again well stirred up. In water- 

 ing with this mixture, be particular in having a 

 small thin spouted pot, without a rose, so that it 

 may be easily poured under the leaves. A gallon 

 or six quarts will be a sufficient quantity for one 

 light, and in watering be careful that it is not 



