52 WINTER GREENERIES AT HOME. 



with their marvelous effects, afford all the warrant needed 

 for the practice. 



8. The size of the pot has something to do with the 

 frequency of watering. Small pots, of course, dry out 

 much more rapidly than large ones. When the latter 

 seem dry at the top, they may have moisture enough 

 deeper within ; but not so with the former, since they 

 have but little depth. The small pots may, therefore, 

 claim the extra showers without danger of drowning. 



9. The actual condition of the soil may be easily deter- 

 mined by the appearance of the surface as light or dark, 

 or by the sense of touch when the finger is pressed in at 

 the top, or by "hefting" the pot, which always seems 

 lighter when dry. A little practice will make you expert 

 in thus detecting the need of water. 



10. Never water any ordinary plant when it is already 

 wet. Let it become a little thirsty, at least, but not so 

 faint as to droop its leaves. There should be such inter- 

 vals between one watering and another as to allow some 

 change or difference in the degrees of moisture. If 

 plants need to breathe as well as drink, they will thus 

 have a chance. It seems very certain that they can not 

 do both at the same time, and if kept continually sat- 

 urated, they are likely to die of sheer suffocation. 



11. When the time comes for watering, do it thor- 

 oughly, so as to reach every part of the ball. If the water 

 runs through into the saucer, and is not soon soaked up, 

 it should ordinarily be poured off. For a while v after 

 such a soaking rain, give only a slight sprinkle, or a lit- 

 tle dew, now and then, if the leaves will bear it, but by 

 all means avoid a perpetual drizzle. 



So now, with this shower of words I leave the rest for 

 another time, and give you proper treatment by a pause. 



