THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
121 
of the whole ; the operation will not be attended with much diffi- 
culty. It is the presence of violent rains which will test and prove 
the efficacy of thorough drainage in the pot cultivation of plants 
generally. If this particular has been neglected, much annoyance 
will be occasioned ; therefore, both after watering and fall of rain, 
examine the plants. 
If any symptoms of their being “ water-logged ” are observed, 
take remedial measures immediately, for you may rest assured that 
such being the case, all other attentions will be rendered neutral. 
Iso plant can possibly flourish if such be the case, and the only 
remedy is thorough drainage. During hot weather the application 
of water will form an important feature in out-door management. 
IVor is it sufficient that you supply it directly to the roots of the 
plants. After a hot day, and an hour or two before the sun wholly 
leaves them, the syringe must be brought into play; and during 
hot sunshine, let the pots be often syringed over, and the ground, 
both between the plants and around them, often under the influence 
of the watering-pot. 
By these means a cool atmosphere will he secured, for it is a law 
of matter that rapid evaporation produces coldness ; and when a 
plant is in rapid growth a considerable quantity of moisture is 
absorbed by the leaves, and by furnishing a constantly evaporating 
surface the surrounding atmosphere is loaded with moisture. In 
the morning the application of the syringe will scarcely be found 
necessary. Heavy dews, except in cases of a cloudy atmosphere or 
drying winds, will supply its place. And when you look upon 
them in the morning, with every leaflet rejoicing in the sunshine 
and moisture, and their whole foliage exhibiting a vivid green, you 
cannot but admire them, fancifully imagining that they welcome 
you with a gladsome look. As the sun decreases in his altitude, 
and the young wood begins to assume maturity, moisture in every 
form must, of course, be decreased in proportion. Still many well- 
rooted specimens will require constant attention in this matter. 
Few plants absorb more moisture than heaths in full vigour, other 
circumstances being similar. 
I should have observed before that many persons place porous 
stones, or pieces of potsherds, on the surface of the mould around 
the stems, to prevent a too speedy evaporation. In this — 
“ The bane and antidote are both before ua.” 
It may possibly prevent evaporation ; but, on the other hand, it 
prevents us ascertaining the degree of moisture in the soil, and 
is apt to lead one into the belief that water is not required, when 
the contrary is the case. Therefore all auxiliaries of this kind had 
better be discarded, relying entirely upon constant and assiduous 
attention. 
April. 
