April 5, 1894 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
253 
S yringes and other appliances which are commonly used for 
distributing water upon the leaves and stems of plants are 
without doubt potent factors in the production of superior examples 
of culture among plants and garden crops. It is, however, neces¬ 
sary that their use should be regulated by intelligence and 
judgment to prevent them being brought into disrepute. Any 
objection to the practice of syringing plants which I have yet seen 
advanced rests upon the contingency that under certain conditions 
harm may be done, and that it is therefore wise to abandon it 
altogether. To my mind it would be just as reasonable to condemn 
without reserve the practice of shading plants because at certain 
times and under various conditions they are better without it. In 
both cases the mean between the two extremes is the best and 
most satisfactory course to follow. The immense benefit which 
vegetation derives from repeated syringings, especially during its 
most active season of growth, afford strong reasons why we should 
attempt to supply our plants with “ artificial rain.” 
Some time ago I remember reading a most remarkable work, in 
which the writer attempted to prove “ that the recognised theory 
in regard to the circulation of sap is altogether wrong ; and that 
the leaves had the power of absorbing moisture from the atmo¬ 
sphere which from them descended to the stems and roots, there 
to become impregnated with the constituents of the soil. One 
of the reasons advanced in support of this theory was that a pot 
plant might be kept perfectly fresh for a long time by the aid of 
repeated syringings, even though the soil about the roots was 
very dry ; but it was admitted that in order to secure continued 
health the soil must be moistened too to render it suitable for 
roots to permeate in search of the chemical constituents which the 
absorbed moisture was to convert into a soluble form.” Many 
other bold and ingenious arguments were put forward in support 
of the author’s contention, which is perhaps one of the most 
remarkable theories ever advanced upon any horticultural problem, 
and one whose foundation rests upon principles which require so 
little investigation to refute. If, however, no other useful purpose 
was served by the publication of the above work, it proved con¬ 
clusively how greatly plants are benefited by syringings, not 
because the leaves absorb the moisture, but because evaporation 
is checked in consequence of the tissues of the leaves being 
surrounded by a congenial atmosphere. In addition to the benefit 
received in this direction frequently cleansing the leaves by the 
aid of a syringe must have a marked effect upon the health of 
plants so treated, by keeping the pores of the leaves open so 
that they may more readily absorb the gases of the atmosphere. 
Turning to the more practical aspect of the subject, who will 
dispute the wisdom of freely syringing during bright weather 
Peaches, Figs, Strawberries in pots, Melons, and Cucumbers ? 
Without doing so it is well nigh impossible to keep the leaves of 
some of these entirely free from insects, and during very hot 
weather a couple of syringings daily account for the difference 
between success and failures. Even with Vines, when red spider 
shows signs of getting the upper hand, thoroughly wetting the 
affected leaves with soft water is often the safest and most 
economical way of getting rid of this pest, and but little harm 
need be done to the Grapes, if the water is directed between the 
bunches. To obtain extra size in Peaches, Nectarines, Melons, 
No. 719.—VoL. XXVin., Third Seuies, 
Figs, and Strawberries, there is nothing like closing the houses 
early and heavily syringing both leaves and fruits during bright 
weather. Newly potted plants of nearly all descriptions are 
greatly assisted by a frequent use of the syringe. The new soil 
may then be kept moderately dry and sweet till the roots have 
permeated it, the leaves at the same time being prevented 
flagging with far less shading than would be necessary without 
the syringings. This is a matter which I think should receive 
more attention than it does, for it is by no means unusual to find 
softwooded plants becoming drawn through shading sufficiently to 
prevent flagging after repotting. This latter remark is especially 
applicable to Chrysanthemums, than which perhaps no plants are 
more benefited by judicious syringings. During the hot days 
of summer the majority of cultivators recognise the importance of 
the practice, but all do not seem to be aware how greatly plants 
may be forwarded in their early stages by daily midday syringings. 
Again, with our light modern houses and artificial conditions 
of heating, how should we manage to keep Palms, Crotons, 
Dracaenas, Ixoras, and Gardenias in health and free from insects 
if the use of the syringe were not resorted to ? Who has not 
noticed how rapidly these and many other plants make headway 
when, under the influence of lengthening and bright days, the 
syringe is brought to bear upon them ? In this we are only taking 
a leaf out of Nature’s book, and perhaps improving upon her 
methods, by giving our plants artificial rain whenever they require 
it. If we could only ensure natural rain for our plants and crops 
at the exact time when they require it, what phenomenal harvests 
might we look forward to in the open air. As we cannot do that 
we must of necessity depend upon syringings in the case of plants 
growing in tropical temperatures, where it is not advisable to let 
the cold rain penetrate, and with others growing in the open 
air, when rain is absent. If we can only discover some method of 
imparting to the water which we use the invigorating properties 
of natural rain, a great triumph for the cultivator will have been 
attained. 
Beneficial as our practice of syringing is, it must not be for¬ 
gotten that it is quite possible to do much harm by carrying it out 
indiscriminately. Ever-changing conditions must in all operations 
guide the cultivator, in none more so than in the use of the 
syringe. With a continuance of dull or damp days let the practice 
be temporarily discontinued, and with the return of sunshine 
begun again. If this rational advice were more closely followed, 
we should hear fewer objections raised against the use of the 
syringe.— H. Dunkin. 
[We may add to our correspondent’s timely remarks a word 
in favour of syringing newly planted trees and shrubs as of 
enormous assistance to them during bright dry weather at this 
season of the year. If half the water that is sometimes used in 
saturating already moist soil, and making it colder, were devoted 
to syringing the stems and branches twice or thrice a day, and 
particularly in the evening, to reduce the evaporation of moisture 
from them, far more good would be done, and numbers of trees 
and shrubs saved that would otherwise perish. Obviously the 
soil must be moist to stimulate root action, but an excess of 
water arrests the process, and frequent drenchings keep the ground 
altogether too cold for free root extension. This, as all good 
cultivators know, and as our correspondent indicates, is the case 
with plants in pots, and it is necessarily the same with those in the 
open ground. Where extensive planting has been recently done 
the requisite means should be provided for syringing trees and 
shrubs frequently during periods of dry weather. This can be 
done in the case of a few isolated specimens with the hand 
syringe, but in extensive plantations engine power is essential. 
There are various appliances, large and small, for the quick distri¬ 
bution of water, and it is a mistake to incur expense in planting 
and not to also provide the needful aids for, as far as is practicable 
ensuring the satisfactory growth of trees and shrubs.] 
No. 2375.— VoL. XC., Old Series, 
