210 The Flower Garden [Chapter 



the glass when the temperature falls. Moisture in 

 the soil is a more difficult matter, and greater harm is 

 done through ignorance in this particular than in any 

 other way. Either plants are allowed to suffer for 

 water, or they are drenched indiscriminately. All are 

 watered alike, irrespective of individual need, whereas 

 the requirements of each should be studied. A few 

 plants, natives of bogs as the Calla require con- 

 stant moisture when growing. Heliotrope, on the 

 other hand, turns yellow when over-watered. Water 

 should be applied thoroughly when given and then 

 withheld until the plant is nearly dry again. This in- 

 duces a stocky growth, with well-ripened wood, 

 capable of producing healthy bloom. To keep a 

 plant constantly wet may produce a quick growth, 

 but it will be a soft one, incapable of the best re- 

 sults. 



Flower-pots should not be filled to the brim with 

 earth, but sufficient space should be left to hold 

 enough water to thoroughly saturate the soil in each 

 pot a full inch or more in the case of six-inch 

 pots, and at least half an inch for small pots. 

 The soil must be sufficiently open to take the water 

 quickly. Heliotrope, and some other plants, form 

 a thick network of roots, which the water cannot 

 penetrate readily, and channels should be opened 

 through them with a pencil or stick. See that the 

 water really penetrates the soil instead of merely pass- 

 ing between the ball of earth and the pot. Hanging- 



