of Rural ArL and Taste. 



3fl 



one-third of an inch to one inch thick. A 

 piece of potsherd, arched in shape, should 

 then be pLaced over the drainage-hole, so as 

 to cover it well above, but leaving space at 

 the sides for .the flow of water. Then should 

 follow a layer of broken potsherds from half 

 an inch to one inch thick, and over this a 

 thin layer of moss to prevent the soil being 

 carried among the sherds. Instead of the 

 layer of potsherds, a layer of moss or of coarse 

 sand may be used, or some of the coarse 

 fibrous tufts which remain in the sieve when 

 soil is sifted. Attention in providing good 

 drainage will be always repaid by the healthy 

 condition of the plants which it secures, 

 especially if they are sometimes carelessly 

 and immoderately watered. After the drain- 

 age layer has been put in, just so much soil 

 should be placed upon it that when the ball 

 is laid in, the uppermost roots will be from 

 about one-third of an inch to an inch below 

 the top of the rim of the pot, so that when the 

 soil is filled in, there may be sufficient space 

 left to retain the water in watering. The 

 ball being so placed that the plant may stand 

 exactly in the center of the pot, the soil 

 should then be filled in. This should be dry, 

 so that when closely pressed it will not be- 

 come cloddy. During the gradual filling in 

 of the soil, the pot should be repeatedly 

 shaken, so that the soil may be evenly settled 

 all round. In small pots it will be sufficient 

 after the soil is filled in to press it down 

 close with the thumb. In pots more than 

 five inches high, especially when the space 

 between the pot and the ball is only limited, 

 the soil should be pressed in during the 

 process of filling in, with a flat, blunt piece 

 of wood, so that it lies evenly in all parts. 

 When the soil is moist and stiflF it should 

 not be pressed so closely. The common 

 rule is that a well-potted plant, if the pot 

 is not dispro^iortionateljr large, may be lifted 

 up by the stem along with the pot without the 

 pot falling ofi'. This experiment should not 

 be tried with weak plants, as they could not 

 sustain the weight of the pot and would 

 break off, especially if the soil was stiff and 

 moist and the pot rather heavy. 



After filling it with just so much soil that 

 the upper roots will be covered, it is to be 

 pressed round the rim of the pot, so that 

 the flow of the water may be directed towards 

 the ball, and not pass through without wetting 

 it thoroughly. When it is desired to raise 

 strong specimens quickly, the roots of the 

 plants should not be trimmed more in trans- 

 planting than will allow them to draw 

 sufficient nutriment from the soil in the pot 

 for a strong growth. Two modes of treat- 

 ment are in use, viz. : a single transplanting, 

 and transplanting several times. Single 

 transplanting in pot culture is similar to that 

 practiced in open air culture. It is generally 

 employed in the case of young healthy plants 

 of quick growth, which have not been long 

 raised from seeds or cuttings. When they 

 are transplanted in spring, they are put into 

 pots from twice to four times the diameter of 

 those in which they have previously grown. 

 The old ball is not disturbed, only the roots 

 which come through it are loosened and 

 spread out in the fresh soil, which should 

 not be pressed down so closely as in ordinary 

 transplanting, as it will be quite, sufficient to 

 shake the pot frequently ' and then press the 

 soil down gently with the thumb. A deep 

 layer of potsherds and moss for drainage, is, 

 in this case (where at the same time a great 

 deal of nutriment is given, and the soil 

 changed only once in the year), very con- 

 ductive to successful results. 



Aiiiinonid for Verbenas,— Sulphate of 

 ammonia is an excellent manurial li(juid to 

 apply to verbenas and other flowers, giving to 

 the foliage a dark green, luxuriant and healthy 

 appearance. It is economical, clean and easily 

 applied. Prepare it in the evening before 

 using, by dissolving one ounce of ammonia in 

 two gallons of water. It may be applied with 

 safety about once a week. 



]!f^ew Tea Iio.se.— It is stated that a new 

 Tea Rose, called Perle de Lyon, has been 

 raised in France. This novelty is said to re- 

 semble Marshal Neil, but being only more 

 beautiful. 



