CULTIVATION. 
371 
grown under roofs very different in appearance from 
the elegant clear glass roofs of the present day> 
which, nevertheless, necessitates some kind of invention 
for temporary shading in summer; but it is to be 
hoped this will be superseded by further improvements. 
Double glazing is now spoken of as answering the 
twofold purpose of saving shading and fuel; but as 
there appear to be different opinions on its merits, 
further experience is therefore desirable before it can 
be safely recommended. 
With regard to watering, it is difficult to explain in 
words, or laydown a rule, what constitutes the extremes 
of dry and wet soil in a flower-pot, feeling is perhaps the 
best guide ; if, on taking a pinch of soil between the 
finger and thumb, the particles will not adhere, then it 
is too dry ; if it adheres, and falls like a dry wafer, then 
the plant is not in immediate want of water ; but, on the 
contrary, should the soil stick to the fingers like a wet 
wafer, then the whole is in a bad condition, and should 
the plant be weakly, it will get worse if allowed to 
remain in the sodden soil; for the correctness of this test 
care must be taken not to be deceived by the surface- 
soil, for it may be either dry or wet, and the contrary 
lower down. Another test of the state of soil is to 
give the side of the pot a smart tap with a hard piece 
of wood ; should the sound be hollow, with a little 
tone, then the ball is dry ; if, on the contrary, there 
is only the dull sound of the tap, without any tone, 
then the ball is moist and tight in the pot. To those 
in the habit of watering the same plants for a length- 
ened time, this test is of service, but it must not 
altogether be depended upon. The quality of the 
water has great effect on the health of the plants. 
2 p 2 
