GO Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



well together, and an occasional application of the suds on wash 

 day, will be beneficial. Such a compost heap, made in the 

 spring, will answer for use in the fall, but grows better with age. 

 Where the sods are too clayey, a little sand may be added. If 

 no compost heap has been provided, any good garden soil will 

 answer and is much better than leaf mold that has not been com- 

 posted, as the new soil will not affiliate with the roots until it has 

 gone through with a sweetening process. For the first potting 

 two and one-half or three inch unglazed pots are the best. In 

 larger pots and those glazed the great mass of plants, when in the 

 condition of rooted cuttings, will not do as well, for the reason 

 that the smaller mass of soil in two and one-half or three inch 

 pots allows the excessive moisture to pa^s off quickly, while in 

 the larger and glazed ones it becomes sour and sodden. In pot- 

 ting off cuttings, place a small piece of pot shred or oyster shell 

 over the hole in the bottom to prevent the escape of soil ; then 

 fill the pot level full of fine soil. With the finger make a hole 

 in the center large enough to receive the roots, and after they are 

 in place, with the thumb and forefinger draw the soil close to the 

 neck of the cutting and press somewhat firmly about the roots ; 

 a smart rap is given to the side of the pot which levels the sur- 

 face of the soil, and the operation is completed. Water and set 

 in the shade for a day or two, after which give plenty of sun and 

 light. Plants designed for bedding out will usually do well 

 enough in this sized pots until time to remove them to the open 

 ground. If any of the plants are designed for house plants, they 

 will require to be changed into larger pots, which is termed 

 "shifting," or "repotting." The operation is simple, and yet 

 many people seem to make awkward work of it. Many times 

 I have seen them performing the operation ; take a knife and cut 

 around the ball of earth to get it out of the pot, or with a ham- 

 mer break the pot in pieces. All that is required to remove a 

 healthy plant is to place one hand over the pot, with the plant be- 

 tween the fingers, invert it, and give the edge of the pot a light 

 rap on a bench or table, when the pot may be removed, leaving 

 the ball of earth adhering to the plant; take the pot designed for 

 use, which should be only one or two sizes larger than the one 



