43 Potting and Watering. 



a little guano into the water, but be very careful not 

 to give too much, as it may burn the roots ; a thimbleful 

 to a quart of water is quite sufficient, and twice a 

 week often enough during the season. A very safe 

 and cool liquid manure may be made by sheep-droppings 

 dissolved in water ; just enough to give it a dark 

 appearance — not muddy. This is a safe and capital 

 liquid manure for plants. Liquid manure should not 

 be given oftener than twice a week. 



The extremities of the fibrous roots act as so many 

 mouths, extracting all the food contained in the water; 

 the water at the same time converting the nourishing 

 matters contained in the soil into a fit state for absorp- 

 tion by the many little mouths into the body of the 

 plant, passing into and creating beautiful foliage and 

 blossom in endless variety to delight our eyes. And 

 so on goes nature — the mother of change — in her 

 ceaseless round of absorption and creation, filling the 

 contemplative mind with wonder and awe at the 

 mighty power present in its hidden workings. 



In filling window boxes with soil after the drainage 

 is in, the box should be heaped up at once, and the 

 whole shaken down and pressed together, so that the 

 soil may be of the same firmness throughout, 

 care being taken to press it well into the corners. 

 Every morning and evening your plants should be 

 sprinkled overhead to keep dust ofi" them and induce a 

 robust, healthy vigour in their growth. 



Rain water is the best for watering all kinds of 

 plants. It is nature's own providing, and contains far 

 more nourishment than hard water. Always use rain 



