Gardening for Amateurs 



probably prove sufficient. The conditions 

 under which plants are grown, the tempera- 

 ture in which they are kept, and the state 

 of the weather all these influence the 

 question of giving water. One rule, how- 

 ever, needs to be observed without fail, 

 namely, that when water is applied, let the 

 pot be filled to the rim so that the soil is 

 moistened thoroughly ; then give no water 

 at ah 1 until the soil appears to need it. One 

 of the chief causes of failure in growing 

 plants in pots is that of giving a little water 

 frequently, as so many amateurs appear to 

 do. This practice is bound to result in 

 sour soil, and the consequent ill-health of 

 the plants. 



In watering greenhouse plants water of 

 a similar temperature to the air of the house 

 is best, whilst plants in 

 bloom should not be 

 showered overhead, or the 

 flowers will be spoilt. 

 Occasionally pot plants 

 are accidentally allowed 

 to get very dry, and the 

 soil contracts round the 

 sides of the pot. In such 

 cases the best treatment 

 is to immerse the pot 

 entirely in a larger vessel 

 of water for about a 

 quarter of an hour, and 

 then allow to drain. Good 



drainage is especially necessary in the 

 case of pot plants ; faulty drainage means 

 that the soil will rapidly become sour, 

 and the plants sickly. Generally speak- 

 ing, soft-wooded, quick-growing plants 

 require a larger quantity of water than 

 hard-wooded, slow-growing plants. When 

 potting plants, a space for water should 

 always be left at the top to form a sort 

 of reservoir for the water poured in. 



Seedlings need watering with great care, 

 otherwise they will damp off in large numbers. 



The safest plan to adopt when moisten- 

 ing both seeds and seedlings is to immerse 

 the flower-pot to the rim in a bowl of 

 water. If water is applied in the usual 

 way through a watering can the soil may 

 be washed away from the seeds. 



-r^* 



A common method of ascertaining whether a plant needs 

 water is by tapping the pot with a stick. If a clear 

 ringing sound results moisture is needed. 



Making use of the waste 

 liquid from a manure 

 heap 



How an ordinary jet syringe can be used 

 to produce a spray by placing the 

 finger on the end. 



