VII. FLOWERS. 



observed, it will not, and rotting at the root takes place 

 assuredly. Water must be given every day in hot 

 weather, and towards the close of the day. In winter it 

 need not be given so frequently, and it should be in the 

 fore-part of the day, as then the plant has time to imbibe 

 the moisture before the cold of night comes on, which, 

 coming with the water, might hurt if not destroy it. In 

 the winter, the greatest care is necessary to keep out 

 damp ; therefore, watering should be very sparingly per- 

 formed, and none splashed about the house or room in 

 which the plants are kept. When there is any appear- 

 ance of moss on the surface of the earth in the pots, stir 

 it up with a little stick cut in the form of a knife ; break 

 the earth fine, and, if you have any in reserve, strew a 

 little fresh earth over, after taking off that which had 

 become mossy. If there appear mouldiness at the joints 

 of the plants, be sure that there is not air enough given, or 

 that the place is damp. In either case, open the lights 

 when the sun is out, if it be not exceedingly cold -, and 

 keep up a steady and moderate fire by night till the place 

 be thoroughly dry. In glasses filled with water, bulbous 

 roots, such as the hyacinth, narcissus, and jonquil, are 

 blown. The time to put them in is from September to 

 November, and the earliest ones will begin blowing about 

 Christmas. The glasses should be blue, as that colour 

 best suits the roots j put water enough in to cover the 

 bulb one third of the way up, less rather than more j let 

 the water be soft, change it once a week, and put in a 

 pinch of salt every time you change it. Keep the glasses 

 in a place moderately warm, and near to the light. A 

 parlour window is a very common place for them, but is 

 often too warm, and brings on the plants too early, and 

 s2 



