OF THE CULTIVATION 



SECT. IV. 



fharp pointed flake, the better to let the water down ; 

 but this may wound the roots, and mould only be prac- 

 ticed in a light foil, and very dry feafdh. To young 

 trees only it can however be of life, for the roots of 

 old ones run far and wide ; and it is the fmall fibres of 

 thefe distant roots, on which the tree chiefly depends for 

 food. Vines mould have no water till they are off 

 bloflbm, [July) and the fruit as big as large pins heads ; 

 and then if the feafon be very hot and dry, watering the 

 roots twice a week will help the fruit to fwell. 



An engine to water the leaves of vines, and all other 

 wall trees in a fummer evening, refrelhes them much, 

 and helps to rid the trees and wail of in feci s and fi 

 Late in the fummer, when the nights begin to get cold, 

 it is time to leave off all watering, except tilings in pits, 

 and frames^ which mould have it then only in the morn- 

 ing. As watering is apt to make ground hide-bound 

 and unfightiy, let the jurface be occafionally ftirred 

 and raked, which will make future waterings enter the 

 ground the better : when the ground is hard on the 

 top, the water runs away from its proper place, and 

 half the labour k loft. Many things are impatient of 

 being kept wet about the fhanks, and therefore water- 

 ing mould be generally at a little diftance. 



The quality of water ufed for refreihing plants is a 

 material thing, and it is very various in its nature, ac- 

 cording to the peculiar earths and mineral fub fiances, 

 that it paiTes through. Rain water is by far the bell, 

 as appears by the verdure and vivacity it gives : It is 

 nou riming, as being full oi vegetable food. 



River water is next in fitnefs, and pond water fol- 

 lows. Well water is of leaft account, though local 

 circumftances occafion its life the mod, So that in 

 forming a judgment concerning watering, it is not 

 {imply to be confidered, whether plants Jhould be wa- 

 tered ; but whether \s ith well water, and that too from 

 a pump. Pump water, if ufed directly (to fay nothing 

 of It's hardnefs) is fo cold in fummer, that the roots 



feel 



