Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-01-17
SUPERNATURAL.
Watering House Plants,

There are exceptions to all rules
t erelore no certain direction can b. given
for watering plants that will apply to all
varieties alike. just us different ind-
vidu4ls of the human race differ in habits
and disposition, so do the different species
of plants. The treatment under which n
calla would thrive would be destruction to
II cactus. Yet the majority Of plants are
governed by general rules and experiment
will point ont - the exceptions.
A plant in II state OF rest nee s but little
water; il rather seems TO enjoy Il little
neglect, that is, if it is not allowed TO wilt
On the contrary, if it is growing vigorous
w, il requires more abundant supply Of
nouriShnent, Just rs Il laboring nun need,
more and more substantial food than the
ilIGr.
Much less food is necessary in cold than
in warm weather, as pllnLs then grow but
slowly. Morning seems to be the most
suitable time for watering, and lukewarm
water should be used, applied to the sur
face of the soil. have sometimes seen it
poured into the sauG1rs of the pots to soak
up INTO the earth ut its leisure; hut nature
does not perform her operations by such a
process, but sends the rain down from
above, and probably her example will be
safe to follow.
inner The II catment of people Of limited
experience in window gardening, plants
are apt to suffer from Z lack of water or
from 100 abundant snpply-they are
either starved or drowned The result in
either case is about the same; the leaves
turn yellow, drop off, and the whole plant
presents IL sickly and forlorn appearance.
Those who cannot find time to attend to
their wants, and yet have II love of them,
should devote themselves exclusively to
the cactus tribe. This family of plants
thrives even under the most marked neg
lect, and overlooks all Sights with most
torgiving spilit.
Hanging baskets are great sufferers from
carelessness and negligence. From their
exposed position moisture soon evaporates.
They are strict believers in both INNER
sion and sprinklng. A hanging basket Is
thing Of beauty or an object of pity, a.
cording to the treatment it receives Fill
ed with gracefully dropping, twining vines,
and with lovely aowers pccping from the
midst of luxuriant foliage, what IN eXquis-
Ile OludlDcnh! hs GOO pllcH ScCu, VIII
few sickly, starved-looking specimen, of
overwhelmingly recognizable as old
friends-one instincively feels ike con
signing it to the rubbish heap.
But the over zpnIous amateur is more
inclined TO 60 TO the other extreme, ana
keep the earth thoroughly soaked To the
consistency of mud, This course Of treat
ment will do for aquatic plants; but mosl
house plants are not Of that nature
Especially if II plant does moi grow thrift
ly it is supposed to be sick, and is treated
on tile homo opalhic principle that what
causes II disease will also cure it, and Wa
ter is unsparingiy applied to the already
saturated soil. Perhaps also liquid manure
or some patent plant loOd," is admins
tered as Medicine. The organs of the
plalt are gor.ed with nonrishmnnt and
The dclicae roots are destroyed. The
practitioner is puzzled to account for the
loss of the plant, but consoles himself with
Ire reelection that it WIS from no lack OF
ca.c, but from some mysterious cause.
Now. more sensible course OF trpai mcnt
wLu.d ur to re-pct the plant in fresh soil in
II clean flower o, giving water enough to
oCAblO wv illti dAJ'u' bliS lbONN} bllNl lllCI
toatply no more until the plant shows in
dlca,onS of grow h, unless the moisture
entirely eVaporaies.
Another cause of unhealthy plants i,
watering often and in small quantities
Those who are constantly dribbling a
small supply Of water Oh their plants will
not have them in ilourishng condition
for any length Of time. The reason is OBJ
vious; the surface OF the soil is kept moist,
but the lower roots perish for want of VIII
ter. A plant should not be walercd until
it is in condition TO receive liberal sup.
ply of the element, which given, it only
asks to be let alone for Il season.
Besides Watering the roots, the foliage
requires nearly us much attention. Warm
baths, showering, &C., are necessary to re-
move dust and dirt, which are IT'S injurious
to the plant us they ale to the human race.
Water is also injurious TO the constitution
Of that sly, mischievous enemy, the red
spiier; its thorough use once or twice n
week will spoil Mr.. Spiders appetite for
feeding on the green pastures olroses, car
nations, &c.