The Portland daily press., 1876-10-31
THE PRESS.
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Watering Ho use Plants.

''There are exceptions 10 all rules" there
fore no certain directions can be given for wa
tering plants that will apply TO all varieties
alike. just as different individuals of the
human race differ in habits and dispositions,
so do the different species of plants. The
treatment under which a Gala would
thrive would be destruction to a
cactus. Yet the majority of plants
are governed by general rules, and eX
pertinent will point out the exceptions
A plant in state of rest needs but little
water; it rather seems to enjoy little neg
lect. that is, fit is not allowed to wilt. On
the contrary. il il is growing vigorously. it le-
quires more abundant supply of nourish-
ment, just as the laboring mau needs more
and more substantial food than the ider.
Much less water is necessary in cold than
in warm weather, as plants then grow but
slowly. Morning seems to be the most suit
able time for watering, and luke warm water
should be used, applied to the surface of the
soil. / have sometimes seen it poured
into the saucers of the pots,
to soak up into the earth at its leisure; but
nature does not perform her operations by
such process. but sends the rain down from
above, and probably her example will be safe
to follow.
Under the treatment of people of limited
experience in window gardening, plant are
apt to suffer from ack of water or from
too abundant supply-they are either starved
or drowned. The result in either case is
about the same; the leaves turn yellow. drop
OIL and the whole plant presents a sickly and
forlorn appearance. Those who cannot find
time to attend to their wants, and yet have
love of them, should devote themselves
exclusively to the cactus tribe. This family
ofplants thrives even under the most marked
neglect, and overlooks all sights with most
forgiving spirit.
Hanging baskets are great sufferers from
carelessness and negligence. From their ex-
posed position moisture soon evaporates.
They are strict believers in both EMERSON
and sprinkling. A hanging basket is thing
of beauty or an object of pity, according to
the treatment it receives. Filled with grace
fully dropping, twining vines, and with love-
ly flowers peeping from the midst of luxuri-
ant foliage, what an exquisite ornament As
too often seen, with a few sickly, starved
looking specimens of vegetation-hardly re-
cognizable as old friends one instinctively
feels like consigning it to the rubbish heap.
But the over jealous amateur is more inclined
to 60 to the other extreme, aud keep the
earth thoroughly soaked to the consistency of
mud. This course of treatment will do for
aquatic plants; but most house plants are
not of that nature. Especially if a plant
does not grow thrifty it is supposed to be
sick, and is treated on the homeopathic prin-
ciple that whatever causes disease will also
cure 1t, and water is unsparingly applied to
the already saturated soil. Perhaps also
liquid manure or some ''plant food" is adj
ministered as medicine. The organs of the
plant are gorged with neurishment and the
delicate roots are destroyed. The practitioner
Is puzzled to account for the loss of the
plant, but consoles himself with the refec.
ton that 1t was from no lack of care, but
from some mysterious cause. Now, more
sensible course of treatment would be to re-
pot the plant in fresh soil ia clean flower
pot, giving water enough to settle the earth
about the roots, and then TO apply no more
until the plant sho VS. indications of growth,
unless the moisture entirely evaporates. An
other cause of unhealthy plants is watering
often and in small quantities. Those who
sre constantly dribbling small supply of wa
ter on their plants will not have them in a
fourishing condition for any length of time.
The reason is obvious; the surface of the soil
is kept moist, but the lower roots perish from
want of water. A plant should not be wa
tered until it is in condition to receive lib
eral supply of the element, which being given,
it only asks to be let alone for season,
Besides watering the roots, the foliage re-
qures nearly as much attention. Warm
baths, showering, &C.. are necessary to re-
move dust and dirt, which are as injurious to
the plant as they are to the human race.
Water Is also injurious to the constitution OF
that sly. mischievous enemy, the red spider
Its thorough use, once or twice week, will
spoil Mr.. Spiders appetite for feed ing on the
green pastures of roses, carnations, &c.