246 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



out being digested, and, stagnating within, will destroy 

 the bulb. Hence, we plant bulbs in a light soil and on 

 raised beds, that the superabundant moisture may not 

 destroy the roots. 



But a moderate degree of water is needed when vege- 

 tation commences in the spring, for the earth is usually 

 sufficiently moist; but when they have started into 

 growth, plants should be abundantly supplied, and the 

 quantity gradually diminished as the organization be- 

 comes complete. As autumn approaches, evaporation 

 becomes less, and the supply of water should be dimin- 

 ished, both in the quantity and frequency of application. 

 Withholding water gradually from plants that are to be 

 kept through the winter will cause them to ripen their 

 shoots, and they will be more likely to survive the cold 

 season. 



No plant, at any time, should receive more moisture 

 I ban it can consume either by assimilation, or rejection in 

 the form of perspiration. Plants with large, broad leaves, 

 like tobacco, squashes, etc., expose more surface to the 

 light and sun, perspire freely, and hence need more water 

 than those with small, pinnate leaves, like the acacia, or 

 than succulent, or fleshy plants, a class that requires but 

 little water at any time, and is very impatient of an ex- 

 cessive supply, especially in winter. 



Watering artificially is resorted to in order to maintain 

 a proper degree of humidity in the soil. This is indispen- 

 sable in hot-houses, etc., and with all plants in pots. With 

 these the protection of the glass assists in keeping the air 

 about the plants in a state of humidity. 



But in open air culture, artificial watering* can never be 

 so beneficial as natural rain, and is often, indeed, a real 

 disadvantage to plants. 



Artificial watering, with all its disadvantages, must, 

 to a considerable extent, be resorted to in hot climates, 



