POT PLANTS 



wherein vegetable matter is largely in excess, 

 only enough loam being used to give it " body.' 

 Plants with larger roots require more loam 

 and less vegetable matter. But sand should 

 be used in about the same quantity, whether 

 vegetable matter or loam predominates, as its 

 office is largely that of a purifier and sweetener 

 of the soil; therefore all plants are benefited 

 by it. On no account should it be left out of 

 a compost for house-plants if it is possible to 

 procure it. Any soil with enough sand in it to 

 make it friable will retain only a sufficient 

 amount of water to meet the requirement of 

 the plant growing in it; therefore, if drainage 

 is what it ought to be, all danger from over- 

 watering will be avoided. A soil without sand 

 often becomes so compact and heavy that 

 water is retained until it sours, and such a con- 

 dition is sure to result in a diseased plant, 

 sooner or later. 



I am aware that many amateur gardeners 

 prefer to have formulas given for the prepara- 

 tion of potting-soil, being fearful of making 

 mistakes if they trust to their own judgment, 

 and for their benefit I would advise combining 

 the various elements entering into it in the 

 following proportions: 



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