WI^^DO\V GARDENI2^'G. 29 
saucer, which may be emptied as fast as filled. In warm mild weather when plants 
absorb a great deal of moisture it will do no harm to leave a little in the saucer. 
Among other details to be observed in watering, the following items of caution 
are to be observed : Some plants should never be wetted on the leaves. Take the 
Begonia Rex, whose foliage, so large and grand, has an exquisite coloring; if its 
leaves were to be sponged with cold water, and the plant left out on the balcony 
or open air, it would probabl}' die very soon ; but a Camelia can be treated the 
same way and not be injured in the slightest. The reasons for it are good. The 
last plant has a hard shiny leaf, which can resist rough treatment ; but the other has 
a succulent tender leaf easily affected. The novice then may generally find it 
true that plants with soft porous and hairy icaves should be very cautiously wet- 
ted overhead, but plants with hard varnished leaves may be watered frequently. 
Tepid water should be invariably used even down to the height of summer. If 
plants get infested with vermin, a sponging with soap and water made into a lather, 
will clear them. Then follow with clear water to remove the soap. It is also a 
good rule to observe that the colder the weather the less water must be given ; 
and when plants are at rest, done growing, they need very little indeed 
Plants in cases may be watered once a week, for evaporation there is confined, 
but in open rooms once a day is suflicient. Some plants, who delight in very 
moist situations, need it twice a day. Never water when the sun is hot. 
If the soil of the pot gets too hard, loosen it a little with a fork, or plunge it 
into a tub of water. Take pains to have good drainage, and beyond this little 
trouble will be experienced. 
The Pliilosophy of Watering 
is worth studying. Plants are constantly throwing off or evaporating moisture 
from their leaves, and at the same time the roots must be taking up an equal sup- 
ply. If then on examining the soil in a flower-pot, you discover that it is moist 
for an unusually long time, you may be sure that something is wrong, either the 
roots do not take it up readily, or drainage is imperfect. Healthy plant action 
needs, .ir as well as moisture. A soggy soil excludes air, and, as a result, our 
plants soon show drooping leaves and unhealthy branches. Drainage is to plants 
what digestion is to the human system, keeping everj'thing in perfect action. 
Water and air enjoy a healthy circulation unimpeded, and plants which are 
growing freely and vigorously, with strong roots, will take up the moisture of 
the pots regularly. Mr. Meehan, who has studied plant physiology more thor- 
oughly than any other American, sums up this subject in the following concise 
paragraph : 
" A wet soil IS totally unfit for plant growing. A plant standing 24 hours in 
water is irreparably injured. A Hyacinth, to be sure, will live one season in 
water; but all the matter of the flower which goes to water is prepared the year 
before, and after flowering, the bulb is exhausted and almost worthless. 
"A good soil for plant growing, therefore, is not one which will hold water, 
but one in which water will pass away. 
