RESTING-SPELL OP PLANTS 



do so in summer. If this is done, they will 

 come to their winter's work strong and 

 sturdy, and so renewed in vital force that they 

 are equal to holding their own with young 

 plants, and in many instances they are much 

 preferable to the latter. 



Summer-blooming plants can be allowed 

 to take their rest in winter, generally in the 

 cellar. They can be stored away in Novem- 

 ber, and left there until the following March 

 with entire safety, if kept quite dry, and frost 

 is not allowed to get at them. As a general 

 thing it will not be necessary to water them 

 more than once or twice during the season, 

 unless the cellar happens to be a very dry one. 

 Then give only enough to moisten the soil. 

 Do not be frightened if some of them lose 

 their foliage. All deciduous plants, out of 

 doors, do that during their resting-spell, and 

 are not harmed by it. Water, in liberal quan- 

 tities, combined with warmth, will excite 

 growth during the winter, and this is precisely 

 what ought to be avoided. Therefore aim to 

 keep the temperature about your plants in 

 cold storage as low as can be done without 

 incurring any danger from frost, and use but 

 very little water. 



60 



