178 GARDENING INDOORS AND UNDER GLASS 
this ball firmly in the center of the new pot, and fill 
in the space about it with fresh earth, packing it in 
firmly, using either the fingers or a bit of wood of 
convenient size. As a usual thing it is best when 
shifting to use a pot only one size larger. For pots 
above four inches in diameter, provide drainage by 
“crocking.” This is accomplished by putting ir- 
regular shaped bits of stone, charcoal, cinders or 
pieces of broken pots in the bottom, being careful 
not to cover or plug up the hole. 
If the pots are placed directly on the bottom of 
the bench — board, slate, tile or whatever it is — 
they will dry out so quickly that it is next to 1m- 
possible to keep them properly watered. To over- 
come this difficulty, an inch or two of sand, or two 
or three inches of earth, is placed on the benches. 
When placing the pots upon this covering, work 
them down into it, just a little, instead of setting 
them loosely on top of it. 
There are several insect pests which are likely 
to prove quite troublesome if given a start and the 
proper conditions in which to develop — crowded 
plants, too much heat, lack of ventilation, too little 
moisture. Prevention is the best cure. Burn to- 
bacco stems or tobacco dust, used according to di- 
rections, every week (or oftener if required), and 
see that no bugs appear. One or two of the strong- 
est brands of tobacco dust for sprinkling are also 
used successfully applied directly to the insects on 
