20 PLANT CULTURE 



to a greater extent than the soil above it. Half decomposed leaves 

 are preferable. 



WATERING. This is the most important work that falls to 

 the lot of the plant grower. It cannot be learned by reading a paper 

 or a book on the subject, and the man who wields the watering can, 

 or hose, no matter how intelligent he may be, will water plants for 

 years after a fashion, and yet have a great deal to learn. About 

 all that can be said on the subject is to water a plant when it needs 

 it. The trouble lies in knowing when it needs it. The operator 

 should first know the plant, all about it, where it comes from, 

 whether it inhabits a bog or a mountain top, whether it is rapid or 

 slow growing, its natural periods of growth and rest, and the same 

 under cultivation. Next he must know the condition of the roots, 

 the kind of soil it is potted in and when potted. Among other 

 things he should know will be the chemical composition of the water, 

 and whether it is suitable for the plants he is watering. The tem- 

 peratures of the soil and water during the operation is another im- 

 portant item. Next he should frequently go over different plants 

 in different soils, knock one out of its pot here and there an hour or 

 so after watering, to ascertain whether the ball has been wet an inch 

 or two below the surface with the remainder dust dry, or if the 

 happy medium has been struck. In short, it may be said that the 

 successful cultivator understands how and when to water only after 

 years of experience. Watering with the hose is often the cause of a 

 good deal of harm, both to plants on benches, in the open ground, 

 and in pots, owing to the manner in which water is applied. It is a 

 favorite method with some to force the water out of a small nozzle 

 to a distance of 20 feet, or a less distance, with the finger partly 

 over the end of the hose. A better method than this could not be 

 designed for the packing of the soil, washing it into cakes by break- 

 ing it up into fine particles and filling up the interstices with thick 

 muddy water; and when the sun shines, if the ground be not gone 

 over with the cultivator or loosened up in some other way, the 

 surface soil gets as hard as a brick, and the roots near the surface 

 are subjected to a temperature far above what is good for them. 

 To do away with the necessity for this method of watering the hose 

 should be short in length, and stop cocks more frequently placed. 

 For outside work lengths of temporary iron piping screwed into 

 position wherever necessary should be provided so as to use the 

 hose low down among the plants, never allowing the water to be 

 squirted on the soil. A good plan is to use distributors, one of 



