144 



GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



vehicle be withheld from annual plants, the double tax im- 

 posed upon them by nature of forming both roots and shoots 

 at the same time, can no longer be met. Growth being 

 suspended, the plant attempts to flower and ripen seed, 

 and thus, while imperfectly developed, it reaches the limit 

 of its existence and dies. 



Plants with fleshy or fibrous roots are impatient of 

 abundant waterings, yet do not well resist drought. Bul- 

 bous and tuberous rooted plants, and those with fleshy 

 leaves, can support drought a long time and do well with 

 rare but abundant waterings. Germinating seeds and 

 young plants should have them light but frequent. In a 

 state of free growth, water abundantly ; while ripening 

 fruit, water rarely ; when transplanting, water freely. 



The lighter the soil, the more frequent and copious must 

 be the supply of water. So as the temperature in summer 

 becomes elevated and the days are clear and the atmos- 

 phere dry, evaporation increases, while rains become less 

 frequent ; hence the more water will have to be artificially 

 supplied. At such times it must be given copiously, for 

 mere sprinklings bake the soil, and do more harm than 

 good. 



When at rest, as in the winter of temperate climates 

 and in the dry season of the tropics, very little moisture 

 in the earth is required by perennials, unless marsh plants. 

 Bulbs in a state of rest will endure almost any amount 

 of dryness, and may even be exposed to excessive heat, 

 somewhat resembling, in this respect, a ripened seed. 

 Bulbs that have been kept dry for some time, when 

 again to be started into growth, should receive but little 

 water at first. If much is given, it will be absorbed with- 

 out being digested, and stagnating within, will destroy 

 the bulb. Hence, we plant bulbs in a light soil and on 

 raised beds, that the superabundant moisture may not de- 

 stroy the roots. 



But a moderate degree of water is needed when vegeta- 



