FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 2G5 



from an incli to an inch and a lialf in diameter. No plant should be transfer- 

 red to a larger pot while its bull of earth is dry, as no ordinary Avatering would 

 ever afterwards moisten it, nor should it stand deeper in the new pot tlian it 

 did in the old one. In every case it is well to wait until a plant has filled with 

 with its roots every part of the pot it occupies before changing it into one of a 

 larger size, and in all cases the compost must be pressed firm and to an equal 

 degree of firmness all around the ball; for if less firm on one side than the 

 other tlie water will drain away down that side, and tlie other side will be only 

 portially moistened. When new pols are to be used, place them in a tub of 

 water for several hours, allowing them to dry thoroughly before using. The 

 reason for this is, that in proportion to the porosity of new pots would they ex- 

 tract moisture from the soil, forming a vacuum between the pot and tlie soil, 

 which might deceive you very much in future waterings. Old pots are as good 

 as new, only they should be clean inside as well as outside. Put a plant in a 

 clean pot and in time it becomes Avell rooted. If you wish to repot it the ball 

 of earth will come away from the pot as clean as possible, but if the pot had 

 been dirty or wet when used the ball Avill be broken and the roots very much 

 injured. For house culture in general I would prefer hard burned pots and of 

 a light color, as the soil would then have a more even temperature and there 

 would be less absorption and radiation of heat. Neat, strong pots might be 

 made of zinc and the outside painted so as to look very ornamental. 



Soil. 



Loamy soils taken after removing the grass sod, with the addition of a little 

 leaf mould, will grow almost any plant that would be a real ornament to a 

 window. Leaf mould not only keeps other soils open, but from the vegetable 

 matter it contains acts as the best assistant to plants. In practice it will be 

 found that young plants of all kinds, and especially soft-wooded plants, thrive 

 best in a light soil containing a large proportion of sand and leaf mould ; 

 whereas, plants that are advanced beyond the stage of infancy, and all plants 

 of woody texture, require a firmer compost. The vigorous circulation induced 

 by too rich soils should be avoided, as with abundant moisture they give us 

 strong shoots and great luxuriance generally, but few llowers ; to get these, 

 less water is needed, and more of the solid matter it contains. We see this in 

 the well-ripened wood of the peach or grapevine, so necessary to good bearing, 

 and generally in the fact of plants flowering, not on sappy shoots, buc on the 

 matured wood of the present or previous season. 



Drai7iage. 



As a general rule, every plant in a pot over four inches in diameter should 

 have one inch of drainage, over which place a layer of moss; it is valuable as 

 a moisture, equalizer, and will prevent the drainage clogging up. 



Having discussed the operations necessary for keeping plants robust and 

 healthy, our remarks Avill now have reference to the propagation of plants from 

 seeds and cuttings. 



Raising Plants From Seed. 



The essential conditions necessary for raising plants from seeds are warmth, 

 moisture, comparative darkness, access to atmospheric air, and a light, sandy 

 soil. Whatever be the temperature in which a plant rejoices, a little more heat 

 may be given to promote the germination of its seeds. Even the seeds of the 

 most hardy plants will bear a strong heat with impunity, if as soon as they are 

 34 



