32 A GUIDE TO FLORICULTURE. 



as possible. In the first place we should never use cold 

 water, as it is injurious. After a warm shower we can 

 plainly perceive the vigor imparted to plants, a circum- 

 stance not noticeable after a cold rain. In the summer wa 

 ter should be allowed to stand all day in a tub, and warmed 

 by the sun. It must not be supposed that because a hu- 

 man being feels refreshed in summer by the use of cold 

 water, that plants derive the same benefit from the use of 

 cold well or cistern water, for a human being has means of 

 exercise, therefore does not feel any ill effects ; but plants 

 are not endowed with such faculties, and therefore suffer 

 from the use of water in a cold state. Therefore water 

 given to plants in summer should be as warm as the soil 

 and atmosphere, or rather warmer than otherwise. Rain, 

 when falling in the summer, if cool, changes the air and 

 soil to a corresponding temperature ; this is natural. In the 

 winter such plants as stand in need of water should have it 

 applied sparingly, and the chill should be taken off previous 

 to using it. In the next place it should be observed that 

 '>ur Maker has sent refreshing showers for the benefit of 

 plants as well as ourselves, therefore we ought to imitate 

 him in watering plants, by applying it at the top of the pot, 

 and never at the saucer ; for if he deemed it best, he in his 

 infinite wisdom, would have provided it at the bottom of 

 the roots, to ascend instead of descending. 



In watering plants in pots we have to be more profuse 

 than rain, for plants in the ground receive some moisture 

 at the roots, and consequently do not need so much as if in 

 the pot. To supply this deficiency we have to resort to 

 artificial means, or they would perish by being circum- 

 scribed within so small a compass, without means of ob- 



