POT PLANTS 



thoroughly, taking especial pains to pulverize 

 all lumps that may be found. Should your 

 plants not make as vigorous a growth as you 

 think they ought, meal can be worked in about 

 their roots, at any time, when they are not 

 dormant. I prefer bone-meal to most of the 

 liquid fertilizers sold, because it is more per- 

 manent in its effect, and seems to contain more 

 of the real elements of plant-growth, while 

 there is no danger of reaction after its applica- 

 tion, as there almost always is when most so- 

 called ''foods" are used. Many of these are 

 really nothing but stimulants, temporary in 

 effect, therefore sure to be followed with dis- 

 astrous results. 



A very rich soil is not advisable for young 

 plants, because it has a tendency to force a 

 rapid growth, which one should always strive 

 to avoid. A steady, sturdy, healthy growth 

 is to be aimed at, and one should be satisfied 

 with that. 



Many writers advise baking potting-soil, to 

 kill larvae in it. Never do this. Baking will 

 rob it of all its best qualities, and make it al- 

 most worthless. 



Care should be taken to have the sand you 

 use 'pure sand — not a mixture of sand and clay 



19 



