172 



PRACTICE OF GARDENING. 



the surface of the soil in the pots appears dry, which, if 

 the plants have been properly potted, may be safely 

 depended upon. Saucers or flats should never be em- 

 ployed for the purpose of containing water, as it is always 

 best to apply water to the surface of the soil ; and when 

 these are used for cleanliness, the water which drains 

 through the pot into them should always be thrown 

 away, as soon as it is perceived. If plants in pots are 

 ever permitted to become too dry, the soil frequently 

 separates itself from the edges of the pot, and it will be 

 of no avail whatever to water the plant, until the soil 

 is pressed closely down to the edges of the pot, as the 

 water would escape through the cavity thus formed, 

 without being of any advantage to the roots. If plants 

 of this description are left out in the open air all night 

 during the summer months, they will derive much 

 benefit from the dews which fall at that season, and it 

 will be useful to them occasionally to water them over 

 the leaves and branches in the evening of a summer's 

 day, or what is much better, to syringe them with 

 water over the leaves and branches. This will tend to 

 invigorate the plants, and also wash off any filth that 

 may have accumulated on the leaves, which is highly 

 injurious. Many plants which cannot be kept clean iu 

 this manner, should have their leaves occasionally 

 sponged with clean water. During winter, plants will 

 need very little water indeed, especially as a wet state 

 renders them more liable to be injured by frost. But 

 when they are watered, it should be done so as to wet 

 the entire mass of soil, and not merely the surface of 

 it, or they will not be at all benefited by the appli- 

 cation. 



The principles thus detailed are applicable to all kinds 

 of plants of this description, but the treatment which 

 some of the sorts require is so peculiar, that it will be 

 necessary briefly to notice it here. Geraniums (or more 

 properly pelargoniums) are such universal favourites, that 

 they demand the first consideration, and the mode of 

 treatment we are about to recommend for them, will, 

 we are persuaded, be found to save much trouble, and 

 be worthy of general adoption among the classes for 



