The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1916-06-08
HOUSE PLANTS.
An Expert Gives Sound Advice
About Their Care.
EXCESS OF WATER IS BAD.
Amateurs Who Like Foliage In Their
d. Homes Will Enjoy These Helpful
Hints About What Green Things In
door Need and What They Abhor.

door weed ana Wnat lney ApnoF.
A leading writer on plant lore tells
us there are three ways Of watering a
plant-two wrong ways and one right
way. The first he speaks of as the
'little and often" plan, which suits
the unmethodical, who water plants
whenever they think about 1t, usually
giving a small quantity each time. The
result of following such a method Is
that the water does not really pene-
trate the soil to any extent. The line
of moisture is near the top Of the soil,
and the roots that lie below this line
land main roots are always deep roots
rarely receive any water. Thus the
terminal ends of all long roots die gen.
orally and tine plant has a more or less
sickly appearance. Watering may keep
the plant alive. but it does not keep it
in a state of health. And. as has been
said so often, half healthy plants are
always unsightly.
The second method, which is just the
opposite of the first, Is 10 overwater
the plants. Irrespective Of tempera-
ture, they continue to. receive each day
large amounts OF water. Thus the soil
which is kept saturated ceases to be
soil and becomes mere mud, and the
only plants that will thrive in mud are
aquatic.
But there is another way TO water,
which is the right one, and the sooner
the amateur learns this rule the better.
The appearance OF the surface Of the
soil in the ordinary terra Gotta flower
pot is sure indication OF the condition
of the soil below the surface. If the
top of the soil is moist you can be per
fectly sure the rest of It Is moist.
When by evaporation this moisture
has passed Off to such an extent that
the soil takes on a dry look It Is safe
TO conclude that more water is needed,
and then more should be applied There
are other methods that indicate a
plants need of water. but the appear
ance of the soil is the safest for the
amateur 10 follow. While the soil is
moist you are safe I'm Withholding wa
ter.
Each potted plant requires drainage.
This must be provided TO keep the soil
from washing down and clogglng up
the hole in the bottom OF the pot.
few small pieces Of broken crockery or
oyster shells make admirable drainage.
Each four or 6ye inch pot requires
from one inch TO an inch and a half Of
drainage-larger pots more.
This idea Of drainage is based on sci
entific principles and cannot be ignOr-
ed IL you would have healthy plants.
IL does away with all danger OF over.
watering. since water enough 10 injure
the roots cannot collect in a well
drained pot
The temperature Of the water doesn't
make any difference. The water as 1t
comes from the faucet is used by the
biggest growers.
The best exposure for plants Is a
southern one; next choice is an east
ern one; the third western. and, last
and least, is the northern exposure.
The reason a western exposure is not
so good is because OF the intense heat
OF the afternoon sun.
The choice of plants that do well in
a northern exposure is very limited.
Lack OF sunshine causes lack OF flow
ers. or course many OF our most
beautiful foliage plants do wen In such
location. Evaporation takes place
slowly where there is a dearth Of sun.
shine; therefore plants in northern
windows require less water. IL is well
each week 10 stir up with a knife the
soil Of all plants having only north
ern light This keeps the soil loose.
II you would have fine. healthy
plants never keep them In a window
that is shaded by a curtain.