168 FLOWERS AND THE FLOWER GARBEK. 



buds. Some groups may be induced to remain longer 

 in bloom, by serving some of the plants only in this 

 way. 



Unless we get very nice showery weather all the time 

 the planting out is going forward, watering is a laborious 

 item of the garden work, for until the young plants 

 take to the ground they would die without this necessary 

 evil. The water should be taken from an open tank, 

 where from exposure to the air it will not be below its 

 temperature. For delicate plants in chilly weather it 

 should be a few degrees above it. The collars of plants 

 should not be wetted, but the water so bestowed as to 

 be taken up by the extremities of the roots ; a little 

 sprinkling overhead with a fine rose refreshes them. 

 When liquid manure is given take care that it is not too 

 strong, and give it to no plants but such as are in active 

 growth. When they are in full vigour of growth, and 

 in danger of exhausting themselves with abundant 

 flowering, the manure water may be given, good and 

 without stint. Put it in at a little distance from the 

 roots, so that the rootlets may take it up. Hydrangeas, 

 Balsams, Cockscombs, Chrysanthemums, and such like 

 plants of a vigorous growth will benefit by manure 

 water. Do not give it to Heaths and similar hair-rooted 

 plants. Never humour plants with constantly repeated 

 drops of water: if they get into the habit of wanting 

 constant watering they will never do without it. On 

 the contrary, do not water unless it is necessary, and 

 then give a good soaking twice a-week, and do not 

 forget the advantage of mulching the roots. As soon 

 as plants approach the season of rest, which varies in 

 different kinds, of course the watering must be reduced 

 almost discontinued as many times already stated. 



Mulching, it may not be superfluous to state, is laying 

 straw, litter, or manure round the stem of a plant or 

 tree, and over its roots. In winter it is valuable as a 

 protection to Magnolias, Camelias, and all tender trees 

 and plants, and in summer it may be used sometimes to 

 prevent deaths from excessive drought, by keeping in 

 the moisture. It also gives nourishment to the roots 



