Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-16
How to Water Plants.

This is a simple enough operation; neverthe-
less, amateurs, through not understanding when
ana now IL should be done, frequently tniure
their plants, and even kill them, Many 10 axe a
point OF watering their plants at stated inter.
ValS without any reference to the nature o. tn \
plant or tne state OF the atmosphere. A Gala
requires large amount OF water a camelia
needs moderate but uniform supply and q
cactus scarcely any, except when growing Or
towering: II the last two were watered as free
~ as the first requires TO be, they would soon
dle with the exception OF aquatic plants a
constant Saturation Of the soil With water Is al
ways Injurious. almost as much so as to allow
them 10 become so dry as to cause their leaves
10 wilt. When the bail of earth in the pot be-
comes solid and full OF roots, 1t is sOrnttces DIFF
ncult TO ascertain whether the plant needs
Warer Or lot. as the surface OF the soil NAV be
moist ard the interior Of the ball may be ASH
dry. To ascertain whether this is so or not ran
me slde OF the pot with your knuckles; If it
gives out hollow, ringing sound the ball is
Dry and the plant needs watering; Ii the sound
Is dull and solid, no watering is required.
-, AS The roots OF plants In pots have but
limited area from which to derive moisture aud
1000, particular attention should be paid that
lhey do not get too dry. When you do water
Them give sufficient to soak the bail thoroughly.
ana Withhold it until It is again required. a
little water On the surface Is almost useless In
The summer season, when plants are Ia state
OF active growth, they reIutre watering every
DAY: unless the air be very moist Or foggy.
i During tae winter season, when they are In
state OF comparative rest, they do not need
nearly such an amount OF water, especially II
the temperature and the moisture in the at
mos n1osphefe are properly regulated 1t is gooi
pan, when the ball Of earth Is hard and well
nlled up with roots, to take a large-siZad
skeWer and run it down into the bali In three
or Tour places about midway between the
stem OF the plant and the rim OF the pot The
holes thus made will convey the water into the
Interior or the bail and prevent 1t from all run
nlng DOWN between the ball and the sides OF
inc pot ana so leaving the heart OF the bah
quite dry, although IL may be thought that a
suffcfency OF water has been given The water
should always be but little below the tempeca
.u5e Oh the room In which the plants are kept.
otherwise the roots will be chilled aud their
healthy action checked, which is to be guarded
against. AS rule, the event lg is the best time
Ior %ia1eflng especially in summer. but it Is
water when you see that they need It. the same
as you WouiG give an animal water when it is
hour or portion OF the day.
10 give plant water IS not only necessary
as supplying 1t with fluid, but also as supplying
IL with food Plants can only take up thelr,
1000 10 liquid form; they never take 1t up in al
SOLID or insoluole state. Hence when thele Is
not sufficient water In the soil to take up and
hoid In solution the plant food In the soil, the
plant grows hungry as Well as thirsty and its
growth Is checked. 1t is not therefore, always
necessary 10 repot plants Ia TO larger pots when
sne sou appears TO be largely exhausted Of plant
,o0o' LOT Ihe lack can be supplied through solu
ooI vi such 1ood II the water g1VentO them
ana mus De taken up by the roots for the nOur.
i tsiI OF the plant. Liquid manure given In
s1no way MuSI not. however, be made very
strong; thlmbleful OF guano, for Instance, to a
quart OF water is SUFFICIENT, and twice a week
uuiIe olten enough to give it-not that the
Hhole quart OF water is to be given at each
ILine; put only so much OF 1t as
HOulo De necessary II plain water were
given; Sheep droppings or COW manure dis
solved In water make an excellent liquid ga
ntlIe, olSSoiV1ng just enough OF either Of the 10
In the water 10 darken it, but not enough to
make 1t muddy, and not giving Is more than
twice week. Very weak glue water makes q
good fertilizer for soft-wooded plants as docs
also liquid ammonia in the PROPORTION OF ten
drops TO quart OF water. The growth OF plants
can be readily controlled by the use of liquid
manureS
II saucers or flats are placed under. the pots,
the water which drains into them should always
he emptied out, FOR 1t Is Injurious TO the plants
10 allow IL to remain In them, as IL has ten
deIcy TO rot the roots by keeping the ball too
moist, and prevents the action OF the drainage
making II become Sodden ana sour.
hain water is the best for watering plants In
pots; but Ii this can not readily be had, any
water that Is suitable for ordinary drinking pur-
poses VIII anSwer.-HdTper'S Bdzar.