Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-08-30
Sgrienltnral
House Plants.

WATER AND WATERING.-lt is desirable
that plants should be watered with rainwa-
ter but as this cannot always be done, wa
ter from wells or pipes must in such cases
be used, but should never be used in cold
state, as quart of boiling water to gal
Ion of cold will in great measure rectify
it and save the cultivator the modification
of seeing the leaves of his plants turn yel-
low and drop off So important do con-
slider this point that | never give cold
spring water even to kitchen garden crops ;
and when in charge of place had daily a
copper kettle to supply hot water for all
purposes of watering Swinging and for
Swinging | consider it should be as warm
as one can comfortably bear the hand in
To promote the growth of the plants in
April, May or June, or Swinging should be
done on the afternoon of bright days, just
as the house is losing the full force of the
suns rays-say from three to five o'clock.
The moisture will then be diffused into va
por, instead of hanging coldly about the
plants, as it would do if given at later
period of the day; and to syringe in the
morning may be attended with danger, for
the sun striking upon the wet foliage might
disfgure it. Swinging in house will
scarcely be required, excepting during the
period named, while the general stock is
making its principal growth even then
plants in flower must be shunn d, but the
object sought in Swinging is not as much
to drench the plants as to create a soft
growing atmosphere, which may be accom-
plished, if done before the sun is wholly off
the house, by throwing the water into the
air and npon the roofs and walls. Any i'll
dividual plant or climber, ON the other hand
that shows the presence of the red spider,
at whatever season. must be soundly sous
edI; and this may be best done in the case
of pot plants, by laying them down upon a
bass mat, and playing the syringe we'll at
the under sides of the leaves and this
must be repeated often, until the spiders are
put to fight.
Watering at the root is an important
matter if plants are not supplied with as
much as they require they do not attain to
the perfection, even in stature or flower
they are capable of, and are, in conse
quence, more subject to the attack Of in
sects.
On the other hand, if supplied with more
than they require, the soil turns sour, the
leaves of the plants turn yellow and it soon
puts on anything but a pleasing appearance
Then, in order to shun these extremes, use
observation, and give water whenever the
soil seems to be approaching state of dry
ness, and at no other time this may hap
pen twice day, tr twice in week, but
give it then, and give it cffectuallyso thai
it passes out at the bottom of the pot
Plants that have filled their pots full Of
roots, and plants in active growth, will be
found to require much water in warm
weather, but less in dull and damp wealth
er; while others that have not so filled THEN
pots, or that are not so vigorous, would be
only ruined by like application.
The same rule holds good in the applica-
tion Of liquid manure, and in the using Of
pans to set the pots in both of the latter
do more harm than good, unless the pots
are full of roots. The best liquid manure
for pot plants is made by sleeping horse
and dry COW dung in tub or tank, so con
structed that the liquid can be drawn of
clear, for turbid manure water renders the
pots unsightIy The above is simple, and
can scarcely do harm but guano and 9th
cr artificial manures must be used with ex
treme caution, say no more than half an
ounce to gallon of water. -Germaatolca
Telegraph.