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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Plunging the pots in a Led of moist heating material, such as spent tanners' bark, 

 or good oak leaves, obviates the necessity for early watering, and stimulates the quick 

 formation of root-fibres. So also does plunging in a bed of cocoa-nut fibre refuse, or 

 ashes over bottom-heat pipes, especially if the precaution is taken to keep the plunging 

 material well moistened throughout. 



If the pots have to be arranged on a slate-covered stage or bench, cover the slate 

 with a good thickness of sweet ashes, crushed spar, or shells, and keep these moist. 

 This can be done and the plants benefited by freely syringing among the pots in the 

 morning and again early in the afternoon. Open lattice staging over hot-water pipes is 

 prejudicial to the plants. 



Before the new soil becomes dust dry apply sufficient water through a rose to well 

 moisten it throughout, and continue to exercise caution against an excess of water till 

 new roots have become plentiful near the sides of the pots. When once this stage has 

 been reached, water must be given more freely and the loss of numerous root-fibres 

 which may result from neglect, or excessive dryness, will be prevented. Many stove 

 plants are strong-rooted and very gross feeders. These, when well established in 

 their pots, ought not only to have abundance of water, twice a day sometimes, but 

 should also be assisted by liquid manure, applied somewhat weak and often, rather than 

 strong at longer intervals. Great judgment is required in watering plants with then- 

 pots plunged in moist materials, of the nature previously indicated ; such plants are 

 liable to be over-watered, for the simple reason that no moisture evaporates from the 

 sides of the pots. What, therefore, may be of good service in starting plants into vigorous 

 growth may eventually become the cause of their failing to sustain healthy progress. 



All through the spring, autumn, and winter months the watering is best done in 

 the morning, and the plants ought then to go through the day without requiring further 

 attention, as far as supplying moisture to the roots is concerned. In hotter weather, or 

 when the days are long, it is advisable to examine all the plants both morning and 

 evening, or some of them may suffer by want of water. Having to water plants 

 flagging under mid-day sun is a misfortune, and should only be resorted to in cases of 

 neglect as the lesser of two evils. They should be supplied with moisture to prevent 

 flagging. 



The temperature of the water ought always to be nearly or quite as high as that of 

 the house in which it is used. Although hard water is not necessarily injurious, soft 

 water is preferable, especially when it is warmed by exposure in tanks in the house where 



