THE AZALEA AND 



some coal ashes under it to keep out worms. 

 And be sure — be very sure — to see that the 

 plant gets all the water it needs from this time 

 on. On this depends success. No amount of 

 after-treatment can overcome the bad effects 

 resulting from a little neglect. Examine the 

 soil in the pot nearly every day to make sure 

 that there is no lack of moisture there. Run 

 the wire through the thick mass of fibrous 

 roots at least once a week, for the little channels 

 made by it will soon close if the operation is not 

 repeated frequently. 



If plants are ordered from the florist in fall, 

 great care must be taken in potting them if 

 they are not sent in pots. Crowd the soil 

 down very firmly about the ball of earth con- 

 taining the roots of the plant. If this is not 

 made as firm as the soil in which the roots are, 

 water will run through it without penetrating 

 the latter, and there will be trouble at the be- 

 ginning. It is therefore very important that all 

 the soil in the pot should be of equal density. 

 Provide good drainage. Pot the plant low — 

 that is, let there be a space of at least an inch 

 between the surface of the soil and the rim of 

 the pot. And let the soil be somewhat higher 

 at the edge of the pot than at the center. This 



210 



