CARE OF THE FRUIT GARDEN. 39 



when the soil is parched it sucks up a small 

 supply as though it were nothing, so that the 

 roots are rather tantalized than refreshed. If 

 the same amount of water had been sprinkled 

 over the foliage like a dew, at nightfall, the re- 

 sult would have been different. It is often quite 

 beyond our power to give a sufficient quantity of 

 water to reach the roots. But a much smaller 

 quantity showered upon the leaves at evening 

 will cool the air and greatly invigorate the wilt- 

 ing foliage. It is well known what beneficial re- 

 sults follow from heavy dews, though the amount 

 of precipitation is very small. Every gardener 

 understands the surprising benefit to foliage 

 which is caused by a light showering in the 

 greenhouse. Of course we cannot expect such 

 luxuriant growth as comes from the confined 

 humidity of the house. But it is reasonable to 

 look for decided benefit to all kinds of fruits, 

 even from a light sprinkling of the foliage at 

 night. A force-pump upon wheels, or even a 

 hand-engine, will do good service where the gar- 

 den is small. A light sprinkling upon every 

 clear night, especially in the early part of the 

 season, will greatly increase the probability of 

 obtaining the first prize. 



