Greenhouse and Bedding Plants 247 



adjusted ventilation fresh air proves its virtue as 

 the most potent of hfe-giving elements. 



Watering. To hold to the golden midway 

 between too much and too little in watering and 

 sprinkling is yet the greatest trick in gardening. 

 Over-watering and under-watering are sins many 

 growers are guilty of. An observant person, 

 however, will with but little experience soon ac- 

 quire the art of watering plants so that it will do 

 them good instead of harm, and will soon know 

 when to water and how much to apply. It all 

 depends on the character of the soil, on the con- 

 dition of the plants grown therein, and on the 

 time of year. Thus it is obvious that during 

 the long, hot days of summer, plants must be 

 copiously and more often watered than in winter; 

 that then they are benefited by a daily syringing, 

 while during the cold season all plants under 

 glass should be but sparingly sprayed and should 

 never be dripping wet at nightfall. And again, 

 a plant newl}' transplanted into fresh soil needs 

 less water for a time than one firmly established 

 with its pot filled with roots, while a dormant 

 bulb or a plant at rest needs least. 



Insects and Diseases. Over-watering, sour- 

 ing of the soil, an atmosphere either too dry or 

 overcharged with stagnant humidity, sudden 

 changes in temperature, lack of fresh air or ic}^ 



