WATERING 



to absorb all of the moisture, the soil becomes 

 water-soaked, air is excluded and, as a result, 

 the roots decay. As the root-system decreases, 

 the leaves which are dependent upon it for their 

 food soon turn yellow and fall. On the other 

 hand, where the plants have insufficient mois- 

 ture the roots dry up and the foliage drops ofif 

 little by little until only that amount remains 

 that can be supplied by the limited quantity 

 of water available. 



WHEN TO WATER 

 The best method to determine when a plant 

 requires water is to rub some of the soil between 

 the fingers. If, in this rubbing, the soil pul- 

 verizes without caking, the plant should be 

 watered, even though the soil appears to be 

 moist. If, on the other hand, the soil cakes, it 

 requires no water. The soil should never be 

 allowed to become so dry that it becomes hard, 

 as this tends to check the growth of the plant. 



HOW TO WATER 

 If the plant requires moisture, water thor- 

 oughly or until the water comes through the 



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