38 GARDENING INDOORS AND UNDER GLASS 
inches, but it is well to give them twice as much 
space as that if room permits. 
POTTING 
Cuttings and small plants are put into two-inch 
or “thumb” pots. Some of the larger growing 
geraniums or very sturdy plants require two-and- 
one-half inch pots, but the smaller size should be 
used when possible. 
The soil for pots up to three inches should be 
screened, but not made too fine. A coal-ash sifter, 
or half-inch screen will do. The soil should be 
made up as directed in Chapter III. 
The pots should be thoroughly cleaned with sand 
and water, or by a several days’ soaking, and then 
wiping out with a cloth, if they have been used be- 
fore. An old pot, with dirt sticking to the inside 
and the pores all clogged up, will not do good work. 
Old or new, they should be immersed in water until 
through bubbling just before using; otherwise they 
will absorb too much moisture from the soil. 
The method of potting should depend somewhat 
upon the condition of the roots of the cutting. If 
they are less than half an inch long, as they should 
be, fill the pot level full of soil, make a hole with 
the forefinger of one hand; insert the cutting to 
about half its depth with the other, rap the bottom 
of the pot smartly against the bench to settle the 
earth, and then press it down firmly with the thumbs, 
