EVERT WOMAN HER OWN FLOWER GARDENER. 141 



in planting them, and shield them from the sun, with newspapers, for 

 two or three days. 



Weeding. 



This is usually considered a terror; but if you will use a small rake 

 and hoe, as heretofore advised, every morning, for a few minutes, you 

 will keep the upperhand of them. The first leaves of weeds or plants 

 are their sole nourishment ; cut them off and the young weeds must 

 die, however tenacious of life they may be. 



Watering. 



Leaves absorb and give out moisture, and inhale and exhale air ; they 

 are the lungs of every plant, and if they are destroyed the whole plant 

 suffers. The pores in the leaves of all plants, by which they transmit 

 air and moisture, are exceedingly small, and liable to be filled up if 

 exposed to smoke and dust ; therefore, if there are not plentiful showers, 

 you must water them freely every evening. It is of but little use to 

 give water after the sun has risen. In this hot, dry climate the water- 

 ing pot is a necessity, and tubs of water should be drawn from hydrant 

 or pump every morning, and allowed to set in the sun, to take off the 

 chill; then, after seven o'clock p. M., apply it. 



Planting Out, Pruning, etc. 



The branches and leaves of plants rarely touch one another while 

 growing, and you should learn from them not to crowd your plants in 

 bed or border ; for air and light are quite as needful as water and good 

 soil. 



When shrubs produce an abundance of foliage and no flowers, either 

 remove them to a purer soil, or cut through some of the principal roots. 

 Root-shortening is often resorted to, by florists, to force plants to bloom. 



By checking the growth of plants, you throw strength into the flow- 

 ers. All shrubs produce their flowers on the terminal points of the 

 branches ; after the bloom is past, if these are pinched off, you will have 

 two or three branches for one in the succeeding year. 



All plants are in their most vigorous growth while in flower, and 

 should never be transplanted at that time, for it will check their growth, 

 if it does not kill them. This is the time for taking cuttings, as they 

 are then most ready to send forth roots. The throwing off of its leaves 

 by a newly planted cutting, is a sign that it has begun to grow, while 



