88 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



rather to the extremities of the roots, more or less near to 

 the stem, according to the size and nature of the plant. 



The quantity of water depends upon the nature of the 

 plant and its stage of growth. In spring, while in a grow- 

 ing state, or while the plant is in flower, or the fruit is 

 swelling, the plant requires an abundance of water. But 

 when the fruit is ripening, and in winter, when the plant 

 is at rest, very little is required, and much is injurious. 

 Water is necessary to make seeds germinate; but much is 

 very injurious to plants just coming up, as it unsettles 

 their roots, and even washes them aAvay. After the 

 second pair of leaves have opened, water may he given 

 sparingly. As it begins to grow more vigorously, more 

 will be required. Plants with large, broad leaves, like 

 tobacco, require more water than those with small pinnate 

 leaves like the acacia. Plants, also, in a strong light, 

 more than those growing in the shade. 



The best tivie for watering plants, generally, is the even- 

 ing. This gives them all night to refresh themselves. 



It does no good to water in the heat of the day, as the 

 heated atmosphere drinks up the moisture before the plant 

 can imbibe it ; but, if plants are watered in the evening, 

 they can drink their fill in the cool of the night. When 

 small seeds are sown, they should be sprinkled, in dry 

 weather, with water from a fine rosed water-pot ; and, if in 

 small patches, may be shaded by a mat until they come up. 



If the ground has become very dry and hard, it should 

 be loosened before the water is applied, or it will not pen- 

 etrate, to be of any service to the^lant. Water, early in 

 spring and in autumn, may be given in the morning, or it 

 might chill the plants, if the night should be cold ; so in 

 the green-house, during winter, water should be given in 

 the morning. Watering the leaves when the sun shines 



