THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



farmer; but, until the amateur is sure of pos- 

 sessing the instinct to feel such wants, it is 

 better to follow generally accepted rules. The 

 one given us by all authorities on watering 

 violets is to keep the beds moist, without ever 

 allowing them to become wet. 



Until we had the hydraulic ram put into the 

 spring, to force water up into the farm build- 

 ings and hot-houses, spraying would have been 

 a difficulty had it not been for Sidney's sug- 

 gesting the knapsack spraying outfit, which 

 idea was hailed with joy by his master, as it 

 facilitated the work; and the weight of water, 

 being suspended from the shoulders, proved a 

 splendid counteraction to the stoop of desk 

 work. 



This same spraying machine was filled with 

 soapsuds once a week for the first month or 

 six weeks, after transplanting, and every leaf 

 thoroughly sprayed above and below, as a 

 safeguard against the red spider. Best white 

 soap was used, and the suds made quite strong. 

 It is surprising how rapidly this pernicity 



36 



