Potting and Watering. 41 



considering whether it is required or not, and often the 

 poor plants are killed through this excess of attention. 

 Let me tell you that too frequent watering is most 

 injurious. To avoid this evil it is necessary to have a 

 rule to guide you. Well, then, never water plants 

 unless they really require it; you will soon learn to 

 know by experience when they do want watering. A 

 good rule to know the proper time by is when the 

 surface of the ball looks dryish. But an unfailing 

 guide is to rap the side of the pot with your knuckles ; 

 if it gives out a ringing sound the plant is dry, and you 

 should water immediately, but if the sound is dull and 

 solid, then no watering is required. To learn the 

 distinction between the two sounds fill two pots with 

 soil, one dry and the other damp ; water the damp one, 

 and you will learn at once, by rapping them, the 

 difference in the sound which they give out. 



The roots of plants have a very limited range in 

 flower-pots, so particular attention should be paid that 

 they do not get too dry ; and when you do water give 

 sufficient to soak the ball thoroughly, and then 

 withhold it tiU required again. A little water on the 

 surface is almost useless. In winter plants need 

 watering very seldom, as they naturally sink into a 

 state of rest during that season. In the summer season 

 they wiU require water very often — every day, in fact, 

 if the weather is warm. The best time to water in 

 the summer is the evening, for during the night the 

 plants get refreshed and enjoy the benefit of the watering 

 before the sun rises on them again. As watering is 

 the very life of the plant you should now and then put 



