Watering outdoor plants not in pots or tubs is a question about which people differ much. Gardeners as a rule are against it, and it certainly kills perennial plants and small shrubs if begun and left off, or even if improperly done. But in a dry soil many a plant is saved by watering it thoroughly once or twice a week, more especially if the flower-buds are formed. My experience is that under those circumstances watering hurts nothing, but it has a tendency to draw the roots to the surface, which is very undesirable with perennials, both for heat in summer and cold in winter. With any precious plant newly planted, and which looks thirsty, a very good and safe plan is to sink a flower-pot in the ground, just above the plant if the ground slopes at all. Fill this with water, and let it soak gradually away, to the cooling and refreshing of the roots. After the plant has been well soaked, one filling of the pot a day, in the morning, is sufficient. All plants that have been planted out, after being removed from a reserve garden or seed bed, must be watered; and once you begin, whether in kitchen or flower garden, you must go on till it rains steadily and well; a slight shower is no good.

A very good shading protection for small plants or delicate seedlings is to get the village blacksmith to make you some flower-pots-he will understand that-in perforated zinc such as would be used for larder windows, etc. Reverse one of these over the plant, to protect it from sun and wind.

The mention of blacksmith reminds me that the scrapings of horses' hoofs, which can be purchased for very little, put into a tub of water and allowed to decompose, make a very excellent and nourishing liquid manure.