SUMMER TREATMENT 



potential productiveness. Therefore the compost must not only 

 be good, but it must be compressed so that its mechanical action 

 may be perfect. 



We are still writing of young, first-year plants, the cultivation 

 of which differs somewhat from that we would suggest for the 

 same plants when a year older, and this is 

 the reason why we cannot yet talk of 

 artificial manures or fertilisers. As will 

 be noted, we have preferred a rich com- 

 post, such a compost as will satisfy every 

 requirement of the growing plant until 

 the season of flowering comes, when, 

 having reached productivity, the demands 

 upon the soil will so rapidly increase that 

 additional food in the form of a fertiliser 

 becomes essential. But as yet there is a 

 great store of vigour, the natural vigour 

 of youth, in each of these plants, and 

 while we want to exploit this to the utmost 

 we have to guard against undue coarseness 

 which invites disease. So, having potted 

 our plants, we stand them back on their 

 bed of ashes in such manner as to leave 

 every one " get-at-able," and for the re- 

 mainder of the summer lay ourselves out 

 to nurse and encourage them by strict 

 attention to watering, tying, cleansing and 

 cleaning. The watering is important, for 

 no plant should ever be left to dry itself 

 out. If but one plant in the whole batch needs water it should 

 not be too much trouble to go out of the way to give it some. 

 Whoever is in charge must carefully look them over every day 

 and conscientiously supply their needs. 



If the season happens to be dry and hot which, after all, are 

 but normal conditions our persistent and ubiquitous foe, the red 

 spider, will be on the war-path. We do not invite you to wait for 

 his appearance and then fight him. What we do say is : keep him 

 away by spraying once a week with slightly salted water, which we 



p IG< 6. Plant in Pot 

 in September 



