i60 On Window Gardening. 



drainage of the pots getting choked. It is impossible""^" 

 how often, and how much water should be given, beca ^ 

 this depends upon the plant itself, its state of health, and \C 

 season. As a general rule, however, they should never be w * 

 tered until the soil at the surface of the pot will readily crn 

 ble between the finger and thumb, and when in this state 

 much water should be given as the soil will receive ; in oth 

 words, never water till the plants are dry, and then give pl en t - 

 of it. Rain water is by far the best, and should always be 

 used in preference to that obtained from springs. In winte 

 very little water is required, and it should always be cautiously 

 given, because the air is more moist, and the light not so in- 

 tense, and therefore less demand is made upon the roots bv 

 the leaves. 



When the plants are inside the room, some contrivance is ne- 

 cessary to prevent the water from running through the pots and 

 wetting the floor, and this is most simply done by placing the 

 pot in a flat pan, which receives any superfluous water, which 

 is absorbed by the roots when the soil gets dry. Pouring the 

 water into these pans instead of on the soil, is not to be re- 

 commended. Watering over the leaves is of the utmost im- 

 portance to the health of window plants, exposed as they are 

 to dust, which forms a crust upon them and prevents the ac- 

 tion of the pores. This operation should be performed every 

 day in summer, in the afternoon, when the sun does not shine 

 on the plants. 



