rUE PRACTICAL GARDKNEK. 



sufficiently ripened in autumn to produce flowers the succeed- 

 ing season, or to produce them in the same season in per- 

 fection. 



WATERING. 



As the plants begin to grow, and the season advances, water 

 must be supplied more liberally than hitherto, and if the 

 plants be vigorous, and the pots have been properly drained 

 previously to the plants being put in, then we may almost say 

 that, with regard to the majority of the tropical plants in the 

 moist stove, that they cannot scarcely have too much water 

 supplied them. There are exceptions, and the chief of those 

 are, sickly plants, succulent plants, such as have not began 

 to vegetate, and such as are naturally impatient of much mois- 

 ture. As the days begin to grow mild, and the sun to have 

 some influence, syringing the plants over head should not be 

 neglected, both to refresh and clean the foliage, and also to 

 create a moist soft atmosphere within the house. At first, 

 this mode of watering should be moderately done with a fine 

 cap on the syi'inge, so as to resemble dew more than rain, and 

 should be performed in the mornings before the sun is full 

 upon them ; but, as the season advances, it should be given 

 in a much greater quantity, and with a moderately coarse cap, 

 so that the foliage may be thoroughly washed, and cleared of 

 dust and insects dislodged from under the leaves, young wood, 

 and other hiding places. Towards the end of April, the 

 operation may l)e performed in the afternoon before the sun is 

 fully oft' the house, and by the end of June, in the evening 

 about six o'clock. This method of watering is not intended 

 to be sufficient for the plants ; for watering at the roots must 

 also be attended to, as the plants may appear to require it, but 

 not oftener. The water used at all times, in the early part of 

 the season, should have stood some time within the house to 

 equalize its temperature, or be rendered fit by the addition of 

 water heated for the purpose. By the month of June the 

 water from the cistern in the back-sheds, or under any other 

 cover (except under ground), will be sufficiently warm. In 

 watering over head, whether with the syringe, or otherwise. 



