316 THE FLORIST. 



the water in which you put a number of new pots. Very few florists 

 attend sufficiently to this observation, but the reasons now given 

 seem to make it very necessary. 



Many use square pots, because they range better on the stage ; 

 but I take the one to be as good as the other. When you transplant 

 your flowers, fail not to cover the hole at the bottom of the pots with 

 an hollow oyster-shell, then put some coarse gravel round it up to 

 the height of the back of the shell, and then the soil. In planting, 

 be careful to spread the roots out as horizontally as possible, after 

 having trimmed them, and taken off all superfluities and every thing 

 that looks like decay. Press the earth gently round the edges of the 

 pot, as well as in the middle round the neck of the plant, to fix it 

 the firmer, and to facilitate its growth. 



It might, in this place, seem necessary to mention what tools are 

 proper and necessary for a florist, but I shall content myself with 

 saying, that a sharp penknife, a little trowel, such as the masons 

 use, and a half-round iron spoon, a little hollow, seem to me to be 

 the most useful, especially the last, which is employed in taking off 

 the mossy surface, which will be often contracted, as well as in 

 loosening or removing part of the soil in the pots, and afterwards 

 in flattening the same, and putting the whole into order, without 

 danger to the roots, leaves, or offsets. 



If, at the time of planting, you should perceive any canker or 

 rottenness in the root of any plant, cut it boldly to the quick, and 

 till no signs or symptoms of rottenness remain ; put on the wound 

 a plaister of wax, or some mastick, to heal and dry it ; and if there 

 be any of the root left, it will most probably (and especially in the 

 spring) strike root again ; but, however, leave as many fibres to it 

 as possible. Mastick is made with half a pound of bees -wax, 

 a quarter of a pound of turpentine, and a quarter of a pound of 

 white rosin, — melt the whole, and mix them well together. The 

 wound may also be exposed to the sun, which makes it crust over, 

 and 'tis really the easiest and best remedy for plants tolerably 

 rooted, and inclined to strike again. 



Be sure to support your nice potted Auriculas with two little 

 cross sticks or reeds, that they may not be loosened with the wind ; 

 as also to water them, but in such a manner as not to make holes, 

 or displace the soil in the pot, which would be very disagreeable. 

 The first watering should be very plentiful ; then set the plant in 

 the shade for a fortnight, without giving it one drop, unless it be 

 in the very drought of summer. But observe that this last rule 

 concerns only those plants that are taken from one pot to be imme- 

 diately put into another, or that have not been taken out above a 

 day or so ; for others that are sent from far, and have been a great 

 while on the road, ought to be watered at first very sparingly (as 

 faded as they may seem to be), and that not till two or three days 

 after potting them ; but should the weather prove very hot and dry, 

 they musft be watered with discretion, and at proper distances, till 

 they shall have taken root, which they will certainly do if this cau- 

 tion is prudently used. 



Chevet Park, Wakefield. E. P. 



