96 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



In applying water we must remember that each plant has 

 an individuality which should be taken into consideration. 

 Transpiration (giving off water) is a physiological and not 

 a mechanical process. It is regulated by the vital action of the 

 plant. 



The amount of water depends upon, (1) The kind of plant 

 grown. The native home of a plant may suggest the amount 

 of water needed. For instance, the cactus is a native of the 

 desert and requires but little water, while the tomato is found 

 in a moist region and requires a large amount of water. (2) 

 The conditions as to health and disease. As above mentioned, 

 the vital processes of diseased plants being less active, such 

 plants will utilize less water and will be injured if kept too 

 moist. (3) The nature of the soil. Retentive soils will, of 

 course, require different treatment than will light sandy soils. 

 The former, if given too much water, will very soon become 

 heavy and water-soaked, while the latter will stand very liberal 

 applications. (4) The atmosphere of the house. We must 

 remember that the atmospheric conditions of the house are 

 such that the amount of evaporation is greatly reduced. The 

 plants, too, are thickly crowded together and the ground shaded. 

 These facts will have an immediate bearing on the amount of 

 water to be used at any one time. Naturally in bright sunny 

 days much more water is used than in cloudy weather. Indeed, 

 it is advisable to avoid watering so far as possible on cloudy 

 days. 



d. When and How to Water: — In the winter it is rarely 

 advisable to syringe plants or to do much heavy watering in 

 the afternoon as the temperature would be lowered too much, 

 thus favoring the development of fungi. In the summer, on 

 the other hand, it is often advisable to water late in the after- 

 noon in order to reduce the temperature. In general, morn- 

 ing is the best time to apply water, and at this time the walks 

 should be thoroughly wet down to keep the atmosphere moist. 

 In any case the soil should be kept constantly moist. Plants 

 like plenty of water to drink, but will not stand wet feet all of 

 the time. 



Whether to apply the water in the form of a spray, wetting 

 both the plant and the surface of the soil, will depend on the 



