46 
matter, is carried away to the drainage; whereas, by the quiet 
sort of sprinkling here recommended, these particles are equally 
fixed through the whole mass, whence they cannot easily be dis- 
placed but through progressive decay. In watering plants in 
an ordinary state, which are tolerably well established in their 
pots, it is only necessary to lie cautious not to water them before 
they become somewhat dry, and then to give them sufficient. 
Air bubbles will frequently arise through the soil of established 
plants ; as long as these continue rising, water must be applied; 
at least to plants of strong habit. 
Over Watering. It will sometimes happen, that a plant of 
tender habit, will accidentally become saturated with water. I 
find it a good plan, to turn such out of their pots immediately, 
roll a single turn of old garden mat round the balls, and place 
them in an airy situation in-doors, until much of the moisture has 
evaporated, when they may be returned to their pots. If such 
happen to a newly potted plant of difficultcultivation, the better 
method is to repot it, adding entirely fresh compost. 
276 “Pot-bound” Plants. Some plants, as the Camellia, when 
cramped for a long time without “Shifting,” become what gar- 
deners term “Pot-bound ;” w hen thoroughly dry, noordiuary wat- 
ering can be efficient, and until they are shifted, a necessity will 
exist, for soaking them over head in water occasionally, for a 
quarter of an hour at a time. Such a course is necessary before 
shilting, for if potted in a dry state, the newly added compost, 
would become “soured,” before the old ball could be penetrated. 
277 Liquid Manure. This is well known, to be of considerable 
utility to jilantsin agrowingstate, where much vigour is required. 
Too much caution however, cannot be exercised in the applica- 
tion of it, for if used of too strong a quality, it impairs the tone 
and energy of the tender fibres ; and used in a turbid or muddy 
state, it ultimately chokes up the interstices of the soil, thereby 
excluding the necessary operation of the atmosphere. It appears 
that no certain rule can be laid down at present as to the strength 
most desirable, we all want more experience in so nice a matter, 
I will however venture to recommend for the present my own 
practice, in this way, which has proved very successful. I have 
two stone cisterns, side by side, the one is used for making the 
soot water, the other for the general mixture. The drainings of 
the cowhouse are collected and left to ferment for a fortnight. 
