122 VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



The Use and Abuse of Water. 



During periods of dry weather many cultivators 

 are tempted to water crops frequently, and this is 

 often done to the detriment of the plants, or done 

 in such a way that it is ineffectual. Too frequent 

 watering is distinctly injurious, as it constantly chills 

 the soil and the roots of the plants, and often retards 

 rather than facilitates growth. For, if water is fre- 

 quently applied in copious quantities, the soil and 

 the roots are prevented from becoming properly 

 warmed, available plant foods are liable to be washed 

 down beyond the reach of the crop, and the manu- 

 facture in the soil of further supplies is reduced. On 

 the other hand, frequent driblets of water sufficient 

 only to wet the surface soil are even more futile, 

 assuming that watering is necessary. This unprac- 

 tical method chills the plants and the surface soil, 

 while the roots lower down may remain in quite a 

 dry condition. 



As a rule, established well-rooted plants are better 

 not watered, and it is unnecessary so long as they 

 remain healthy and continue to grow steadily. When 

 watering is required as is most often the case with 

 recently planted crops and seedlings, and certain 

 moisture-loving vegetables the soil should be thor- 

 oughly soaked at one operation down to and beyond 

 the depth of the roots, afterwards thinly covering 

 the wet surface with dry soil to prevent evaporation 

 of the water, or frequently hoeing the surface soil to 

 secure the same result. This in most cases renders 

 further watering unnecessary.. A liberal soaking, and 



