FRA C TICAL FL ORIC UL T URE. 
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Hothouses are usually built low, so as to be kept at a higher temperature, and water is 
used so freely that there is a great deal of moisture in the atmosphere, which helps the 
plants to a growth something approaching what they would have in their tropical homes. 
When we enter these low-built houses, the plants are so seductive, either through their 
gorgeous blossoms or ample and variegated foliage, that we can rarely resist the tempta¬ 
tion of carrying away one or two trophies, while knowing that we cannot expect them 
to thrive quite so well when reduced from their high diet, as it were; but yet we find they 
do well enough not to entirely discourage us. A few failures make more lasting impres¬ 
sions than constant and complete success; and if we study out the causes of those failures, 
the lessons will not be too dearly bought. 
TWA TJ^RINa CPLJaNTS. 
‘OOD culture is secured as much by care in watering plants as by 
Sgg? anything else; for if too much water is given, it is worse than giving 
too little. Many inexperienced cultivators have an idea that to be 
told to give a plant plenty of moisture means to keep it wet and 
cold all the time. For an intelligent discrimination in this regard, 
it is of the first necessity to understand the native seat and habits of 
the plant. The Fuchsia, for instance, is a native of Brazil on its mountain 
'slopes, and is accustomed to a moist atmosphere that never becomes stagnant. 
Like conditions must as nearly as possible be artificially secured in our latitudes; 
it must therefore have plenty of moisture and be guarded from strong sunlight. 
The Calla Lily needs a large quantity of water (in fact, will grow in water) up 
to the time of flowering; after which it is better to put it in a bed or border to 
get a season’s rest, depending upon the clouds for its supplies. Begonias and Ferns need 
plenty of moisture, but abhor stagnation; and it is better to syringe water over the leaves 
than to be constantly drenching the soil around the roots. 
A good thing for the plants is to let them occasionally go dry at the roots. This is 
nature’s remedy, for even in the wettest climates there are some dry periods. No plant 
should be allowed to drop its leaves for want of water; a watchful eye can do more than 
set rules in the proper watering of plants. If the leaves droop, unless in newly potted 
plants, water is called for, and should be applied to root and leaf. The ear can also be 
utilized: a knock on the side of a pot will disclose the need of water by the hollow sound 
emitted, while a dull, heavy tone shows there is already water enough. 
If the soil remains wet a long time in a pot or box, which is technically styled “ water¬ 
logging,” some means to dry it should be devised, as boring holes in the box, placing the 
pot on a warm stove, or on its side to drain, or the like. The smaller the pot or box, 
the more watering the plant requires, all things else being equal. 
All succident or thick-leaved plants, after they have made their season’s growth, may 
be put away for rest, and be left without injury, and even to advantage, for many months, 
deprived of water, in a dry place, which, however, should be kept free from frost. 
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