Fundamental Requirements of all Plants 21 



digested and assimilated; consequently, all plants 

 during their growing period should have an ample 

 supply of water. 



No Special Needs 



Too much importance is placed on the fancied 

 special needs of different varieties or species, when, 

 as a matter of fact, no such needs exist. The endeavor 

 should be made rather to think of plants as one does 

 of pet animals and place within their reach abundance 

 of fresh water at all times, leaving it to their in- 

 stinct to drink when they are thirsty. In the 

 case of the potted plant, little fear of over-watering 

 need be entertained if effective drainage has been 

 provided. 



On the other hand, to be constantly pouring on 

 water when it is unnecessary is not only a waste of 

 time, but tends to impoverish the soil by carrying 

 away much valuable plant JFood. Certainly, to stand 

 a plant in deep water for any length of time is not 

 only fatal but cruel. 



When Plants Want Water 



The successful professional grower relies entirely 

 on his daily observation as to when a plant needs 

 water, the dry aspect and hght color of pot and soil 

 being his principal guides. Stern necessity has 

 trained his eye to be very keen in this respect; with 

 the novice, an equally strong desire to succeed would 

 quickly have the same result. Perhaps the best 

 general rule is, that when the soil in any pot or box 

 has dried out so that it is friable or crumbly to the 



