chap, xi.] PLANTS IN POTS. 349 
chilled, and the plant, if of a delicate nature, 
is destroyed. The reverse of all this should 
be the case. The plant should never be 
suffered to become so dry as to have the 
mould in a crumbling state; but if such a 
circumstance has been suffered to occur, it 
should be well watered with warm water of 
at least the temperature of the room, and 
better if rather warmer. Enough of this 
water should be given to fill the saucer; in 
order that every part of the mould and of 
the roots may imbibe some benefit from 
the moisture; but as soon as this has been 
done, the pot should be lifted out of the 
saucer, and the water thrown away, as 
nothing can be more injurious to the roots 
of most plants, than to have the pot they 
grow in, kept standing in water. There are, 
however, some exceptions to this rule, such 
as all the kinds of Mimulus, the Hydrangea, 
Calla ethiopica, and some kinds of Calceo¬ 
laria. All these, and all marsh plants, re¬ 
quire abundance of water, and will not 
flower well unless the saucer be kept half 
full, though the water should be changed 
every day. 
