No. 144.] 491 



2. The depths of the roots : the application should be more 

 frequent to plants, of which the roots are superficial, less frequent 

 to deeper roots. 



3. The structure of the foliage : those which evaporate much, 

 such as plants with large leaves, more frequently than perennial, 

 or plants with thick leaves. 



4. The consistence of the stalks and of the roots serves to 

 guide the application: roots, with flesh j fibres, do not thrive if 

 too abundantly watered, at the same time they are injured by dry- 

 ness. Tuberculous, or bulbous plants, or plants with fleshy leaves, 

 can bear a long continued drought, and therefore infrequent, yet 

 abundant waterings, suit them well. 



5. In regard to the stage of vegetation : it is important to bear 

 to mind that young germinating plants require light and frequent 

 waterings ; those that are in luxuriant growth, abundant water- 

 ings ; and when the fruit or seed is being matured, the waterings 

 should be frequent. Those that have been transplanted, require 

 abundant watering. 



6. The nature of the soil, according to which these rules must 

 be modified : the lighter the soil, the more frequent and plentiful 

 must be the waterings. If it is a compact and clayey soil, less 

 watering will be required; if hardened by drought, water will 

 facilitate the working of the land by plow or spade, and thus 

 enable the farmer to save labor and at the same time kill millions 

 of insect devastators, by mingling cheap poisons with the water. 



The state of the atmosphere : It will be readily conceived that 

 the waterings must be more frequent when the temperature is 

 high, the sky clear, and the air dry ; so says De Candolle. 



The limit of profitable application of pure water or liquid 

 manures, has not yet been reached, though the productiveness of 

 the land where applied, has been increased from a nominal to an 

 indefinite value. 



