January. 1 



HOT-HOUSE. 



135 



OF WATERING THE PLANTS. 



To do this judiciously, is so necessary to vegetation, and 

 so requisite to understand, and yet the knowledge so diffi- 

 cult to convey to others (being entirely acquired by prac- 

 tice), that if the power were in man to impart to his fellow- 

 men, he would possess the power of perfecting a gardener 

 by diction. However, the hints on this important point of 

 floriculture will be as clear and expressive as can at present 

 be elicited. All plants in this work that are aquatic shall 

 be specified as such ; and those that are arid shall be duly 

 mentioned. All others will come in the medium. 



All the plants must be looked over every day, and those 

 watered that appear to be getting dry on the top. It must 

 be strictly observed not to give water to any but such as 

 strictly require it, and let it be given moderately at this 

 season. There is not so much liability to err, at present, 

 in giving too little, as in administering too much. Vege- 

 tation among the stove or hot-house plants will soon begin 

 to show, and the soil will become sour if it is impregnated 

 with stagnant moisture. Small plants should always be 

 watered with a pot having what is termed a rose upon it. 

 The surface of the rose, that is, v/here it is perforated v/ith 

 small apertures, ought to be level, or a little concave, which 

 would convey the water more to a centre, and make neater 

 work, by preventing any water from being unnecessarily 

 spilt in the house. The size of the pot will be regulated 

 by the person to suit the conveniences of the place. Water, 

 when applied either to the roots or foliage of the plants, 

 should be about the medium temperature of the house. 

 Where there are no cisterns, a tank or barrel might be in 

 the house, in which the water could stand for one night or 

 more, as is most suitable. When water is given without 

 being thus aired, it chills the roots, prevents a luxuriant 

 growth, injures the fresh and healthful appearance of the 

 foliage, and too frequently gives to all the plants a sickly 

 hue. 



