79 



of the root, while the latter encourages it. (Gard. 

 and Flor. i. 22.) 



If, on turning up the earth, it is found moist within 

 two, three, or four inches down, it is better to wait 

 a short time for the chance of rain, than to tamper 

 with the plants by applications of water at the root 

 only. (Gard. and Flor. hi. 66.) 



Use soft water, if possible. If it is not naturally 

 so, pump it, in the morning, into tubs or tanks, leav- 

 ing it to the action of the sun and air ; to be used in 

 the evening. When the plants have become large, it 

 will be necessary to give them considerable quantities 

 at a time, instead of frequent waterings ; but this, of 

 course, will depend upon the state of the weather, 

 soil, &c. On no account neglect giving them a slight 

 sprinkling overhead, through a fine rose or syringe, 

 in dry weather, after the sun has left them ; as the 

 dew following this operation, will keep the plants in 

 a wet state until the following morning, which will be 

 a preventive of the thrip, and keep the earwigs from 

 eating the points of the young shoots, which they 

 often do before any blooms appear. The colour and 

 size of the foliage will also soon show the beneficial 

 effects of this practice. (Turner on the Dahlia, 5.) 



To preserve the moisture in the soil, and to avoid 

 the necessity for watering, some persons mulch their 

 dahlias. There are objections to this, although, with 

 care, it is very effective. First, the litter harbours 



