Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-15
HOW TO WATER PLANTS.
Some Useful Hints On the Subject From
Chief Gardener Saunders.


Chief Gardener saunders.
OpEoPLE FREQUENTLY ASK. HOW
l. often should water nv plantsy" said
Chief Gardener Saunders Of the Department OF
Agriculture to q STAR reporter the other day.
ITO begin with, never apply water TO a plant
until it requires IL. that is until it is dry, and
then apply q sufficient quantity TO soak it.
Movies in plant culture usually make the
mistake of merely sprinkling the surface of the
soil, perhaps daily, without any time applying
enough water TO saturate the mass Plants
cannot flourish under such conditions: the
surface viii appear wet, while the main body Of
the soil 10 hard and dry. One drawback TO
properly watering plants in parior and window
gardening arises from the inconvenience at
tending the use Of water in sufficient quanti-
ties; another evil is the dryness Of the air
Both of these obstacles TO success can be greatly
modified by the use of table property fitted
for the reception Of tho flower pots or small
vases IN which the plants are kept This table
may De OF any required size: surface o: two by
thresteet would be suitable for most windows: IL
should be made tight and neatly fitted A ledge
is mace by fastening strip three inches wide
around the edge; then fll with two inches Of
clean, white sand, upon which the plants are
placed. Lining the table with zinc would COM
pieteiy guard against drip. The table should lie
ntted with rollers TO facilitate the operation of
watering and cleaning the plants. With table of
tnls KIND the plants can be watcred freely and
occasionally sprinkled, without any injury 10
surrounding objects. The sand should be kept
constantly wet, so that moisture will be evap-
GRATED from 1t, aud thus overcome in some de-
gree one OF the chief obstacles TO the success
ini culture Of plants in dwelling rooms dry
atmosphere.
FEW GENERAL RULES.
"Ihere n few ~,,i< ~r,tS a.
watering plants which may be noted. Water
ing should be preferably applied during the
early part of the day. especially so in the winter
season. Plants in pots well supplied with roots
Will require much more water than those which
are newly potted or have a Quantity Of soil
with few roots. Plants with narrow or small
foilage viii not use SO much water as those
With large spreading leaves. Plants in the
shade viii not need as much water as will those
IN the sun. But in cases when water is ap-
pied 1t should be done copiously.
In the pot culture Of plants, where the
amount Of soil is limited, the use Of liquid
manure is Of vast service when judiciously ap-
pheo' but much harm may be occasioncd by
It's indlscrlminate Use. Many persons consider
II necessary TO resort to the use of guano and
other solutions on sickly plants anu are sur
Prlsed TO ind that the application only hastens
the dissolution of the patient.
1t Is only healthy and well-rooted plan Is that
are 10 De benefited by manures, and such as are
supplied with hungry roots but growing slowly
Tor want OF nutriment. Such plants as have
been for years in the same pot or tub. as we fire.
9uently find orange and lemon trees. came
has, oleanders. &c. will be greatly slim ulased
by the application OF manuril liquids during
tnelr period OF growth. For plants of all
kinds that have their pots filed with roots it
VIII be serviceable. and to such as fuchsiss
pelargoniums, Itineraries &c. while in flower,
they viii bloom longer and in greater perfee-
hon But it should be kept in mind that slim
uiants should not be applied while flower buds
are forming. as 1t might induce an increased
wood growtI at the expense OF the lowering
principle"