POT PLANTS 



will therefore be seen that, while it is impos- 

 sible to give exact proportions, for the soils in 

 which plants having different kinds of roots 

 are grown, an examination of these roots will 

 enable us to adapt the soil to their peculiar 

 requirements in a manner that will give very 

 satisfactory results. My readers have no 

 doubt all read of the painter who mixed his 

 pigments with brains. Mix your potting-soil 

 in the same way, and you will have few fail- 

 ures to charge it with. 



A little intelligent observation will enable 

 you to detect any mistakes that may be made, 

 and these can easily be corrected by making 

 such changes in the composition of the com- 

 post as seem to be called for by the plants you 

 are growing. But do not expect to find out all 

 these things unless you form the habit of 

 watching your plants. Whenever a change 

 is made, of any kind, observe the result care- 

 fully, and in a short time gardening will become 

 an exact science with you rather than a series 

 of problematic experiments. The successful 

 gardener always has his eyes open when at 

 work among his plants, and the consequence 

 is that he is always '* finding out things." 



I have made no mention of the use of ferti- 



3 17 



