418 THE GREEN-HOUSE. J>NIT.. 



Examine the evergreens and flowering shrubs, and where any 

 have made disorderly shoots, let such be cut clean out, or shorten- 

 ed, as you may deem expedient; in order to preserve the heads in. 

 due form and of an elegant appearance. 



Watering. 



Occasional waterings must be given to all your late planted 

 shrubs and flowers, and particularly, to the annual, perennial, and 

 biennial flower plants, newly planted out into nursery beds, 



Your entire stock of plants, in pots and boxes, seedlings and 

 others, must be watered as often as the earth about them becomes 

 dry and unfriendly to ^vegetation ; and your carnation and other 

 layers, must be duly attended to in this respect, to preserve the 

 earth about them, moderately moist, and only so. 



For some useful observations, in respect to watering, see page 

 38 1, 



Grass and Gravel Walks. 



The grass and gravel-walks, Sec. must be treated constantly dur- 

 ing the summer and autumn, as directed in page 391. 



THE GREEN-HOUSE. 



General care of the Green-House Plants. 



THE plants being now out and fully exposed to the air, will: 

 require a constant supply of water ; it is impossible to say how of- 

 ten it ought to be administered, or how much should be given at a 

 time, as the state of weather, the different constitutions and habits 

 of the plants, and also the size of the pots or tubs as well as of the 

 plants themselves, make a material difference in that respect. The 

 only true guide is the state of the earth in the pots or tubs, which 

 should always be kept moist and in a proper condition to promote 

 and encourage vegetation. In very hot weather, the pkuits that are 

 in small pots, will require some water, both morning and evening, 

 at other times, once a day will be sufficient, but as the plants have 

 no other nourishment but what they extract from the earth within 

 the pots or tubs, it ought to be a general rule to keep it constantly 

 moist, but not too wet. 



The best water for this purpose is such as is taken from rivers or 

 ponds, where it is fully exposed to the sun and air ; so that if you have 

 no other than spring or well water, it should always be exposed, in 

 cisterns, &c. to the sun and air, at least twenty-four hours before it 

 is used* 



