January.'] 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 couvey 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, where it is perforated with 
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. 
