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ARTESIAN WATER |
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Artesian water has sometimes caused disastrous losses amongst roses in country districts. Many of these waters are so heavily impregnated with sodium, magnesium, and other salts as to be toxic to many plants. Continued use of some types of artesian water will increase the toxicity by increasing the concentration of the soil-moisture solution as the water evaporates, leaving the harmful salts behind. Efficient artificial drainage, together with heavy mulches of compost, old animal manure, and straw are the best counter-measures. Use waste water from the house in preference to artesian water on all occasions when good tap-water is not available.
Plants of poor quality are never sold by reputable nurserymen, but they are blamed, nevertheless, in many instances. It should be remembered that only their best plants are sold. After all orders are filled, the remaining plants are transplanted in the nursery under very poor conditions. They are simply heeled in with little or no care, and are seldom watered more than the once at planting time. The loss amongst them rarely exceeds one per cent, despite this lack of attention and their being the poorest of the plants. Rose plants may become dry in transit despite careful packing; it is rare but possible. I once saw a consignment of valuable novelties from one nurseryman to another arrive in a very shrivelled state. The recipient buried them in very sandy soil for a week and watered them frequently; when he dug them up they all looked fresh again. I bought two of them and they grew well. Good nurserymen value their reputation too much to sell inferior rose plants. |
