28 THE DAHLIA. 



come into bloom, it would, if convenient, be very beneficial to give them a 

 thorough watering once each week or ten days during the continuance of the 

 drouth. But care must be taken to stir the soil to the depth of one to two 

 inches the next day, carefully pulverizing it later, in order to seal those natural 

 capillary tubes by which the moisture is evaporated. 



The best rule to follow is not to allow your plants to suffer from want 

 of moisture ; nor to water them except they need it ; but to water them 

 thoroughly when you do water them, and not to allow excessive evaporation 

 for want of frequent stirring of the soil . 



