120 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



thoroughly that the moisture cannot have failed to pene- 

 trate to the lower strata of soil. As soon as the surface 

 has dried sufficiently so that it is not muddy, the surface 

 soil should be stirred. This keeps the bed uniformly 

 moist, and in the best condition to nourish the plants. In 

 watering beds or benches, there are spots where the drain- 

 age often varies. A careful caretaker will watch out for 

 such places, and will apply less water. A man should 

 never take a hose and indiscriminately dash water over 

 the plants and benches. 



Watering potted-plants also requires careful study. In 

 a bench of plants, there are always a few which require 

 daily watering. Others may need water only once in two 

 or three days. The benches should be gone over care- 

 fully every day, and water given to only those plants in 

 need of it. Surplus water in houses should be avoided. 

 The moisture has a tendency to cause decay in benches, 

 beds and the underpinning of the greenhouses. On 

 bright days, however, especially in spring, summer and 

 fall, the walks should be wet frequently and thoroughly. 

 This maintains a moist atmosphere which is favorable to 

 the growth of most species, and prevents in a measure 

 the red-spider pest. Moisture on the walks is particularly 

 essential for a healthy development of palms, ferns and 

 other foliage plants. As a rule, it is best to water plants in 

 the early morning in winter, and in the late afternoon in 

 summer. Plants should be thoroughly syringed on 

 bright, sunny days. 



94. Shading the houses. Some species of plants are 

 injured by too strong sunlight. The caretaker must use 

 careful judgment to determine when shade should be 

 applied and when removed. As a rule, the propagating 

 house should be shaded, unless it can be so arranged that 



