48 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



hand, a lack of water at the roots causes the leaves to 

 droop or " flag," in which condition they are unable 

 to assimilate even the small amount of carbonic acid 

 gas floating in the atmosphere, or to perform their 

 other functions properly. The result may be to induce 

 the plants to " bolt " into flower prematurely. To 

 strike the happy medium, therefore, is the constant 

 aim of the cultivator, and this can only be done by 

 exercising his intellectual faculties and making use 

 of the knowledge he has already acquired. 



WATERING IN WINTER. So far as early crops or 

 " primeurs " of Carrots, Radishes, Lettuces, Cauli- 

 flowers, etc., are concerned, no water, as water, is 

 actually applied to the hot-beds on which they are 

 raised or growing from January to March. These 

 early crops secure sufficient moisture from the damp, 

 hot manure beneath them, and this obtains its supplies 

 by capillary attraction from the rains that run into 

 the narrow pathways from the lights. It thus becomes 

 necessary to open the lights only when absolutely 

 needful, and the danger of chilling the plants by cold 

 water is thus avoided during the coldest period of 

 the year. 



In the spring and early summer, and then onwards 

 during the growing season, the application of water 

 becomes an important feature in the day's work. 

 Generally speaking, it is best to give water either in 

 the mornings before ten o'clock, or in the afternoon 

 after three, four, or five o'clock, according to circum- 

 stances and convenience. Watering should always be 

 avoided during the middle of the day when the sun is 

 very hot. Tender-leaved plants especially are liable 

 to be severely scorched and spoiled by having water 



