214 f HE FORCING GARDENER. [B.I. 



very element without which it could not 

 long exift ; and the more fo, if want of at- 

 tention was the caufe. 



On the other hand, an infant may be 

 much hurt (nay, killed) by being too much 

 glutted with food or drink, efpecially if of 

 a bad quality. So it is with a plant* 

 Therefore, the niceft obfervation is necef- 

 fary, to difcover their natural inclinations $ 

 and which ihould be treated and encou- 

 raged in a kindly manner at all times. 



In Winter, and when the plants are in a 

 dormant ftate, it- is fafeft rather to give 

 too little than too much water ; and the 

 contrary in fummer, and when the plants 

 are in a vigorous growing ftate. 



A practice too commonly prevails, of 

 placing a flat or faucer under the pots, e- 

 Ipecially of plants kept in the drawing* 

 room or parlour ; which may be very pro- 

 per, for the fake of the furniture } but 

 vvhich is too generally of mifchievous con- 

 fequence to thefe ihrubs. If the-faucers 

 were emptied fo foon as tjie fuperabundant 

 water has filtered through the earth of the 

 pot into them, it were well ; but if left 

 there to ftagnate, it uiuft of neceffity ope- 

 rate 



