The Garden Under Glass

236 THE GARDEN UNDER GLASS Syringing What the soft, growing showets of April do for outside plants syringing does for the inside. Moisture forced on to a plant in this way frees it from dust, helps to keep down insect pests and enables the plant to revel in a moist, buoyant atmosphere. In the spring, and when the young growth is breaking out, is the time when syringing is really needed. The water softens the bark and enables young growth to expand rapidly into full leaf. It will be recog-nised also that young leaves, which have but just begun their life's labour, have not the power to withstand sudden outbursts of sunshine, unless there is plenty of moisture at hånd. This is because the sun naturally absorbs moisture, and if none be present on the surface of the leaf, that which is in the leaves will be sucked out, and probably at a greater rate than the few active roots can supply. Clear rain-water only should be used. Spring water, being charged with minerals, leaves a deposit on the foliage, which de-tracts from their beauty and is difficult to get off. Plants in flower, those which are ripening their finits, those which are not in active growth and most of those whose leaves are clothed with minute hairs—should not be syringed. Avoid buying cheap syringes. They easily become dinged and useless. Syringe forcibly with the open jet and make a spray by putting the forefinger of the left hånd in front of the jet. By this method the spray can be re-gulated to any degree of fineness and can be directed beneath the leaves, where most insect pests make their abode. Early morning and afternoon are the best times for syringing. When, after some wear, it is found that water is drawn back in the syringe it is a clear sign that it needs repacking with grease and tow.