1 92 POT-CULTURE. 



larger pots, if large plants are wished for, and 

 again plunged in the open air till the autumn : 

 care must be taken to place the pots on slates, to 

 prevent their roots getting through the bottoms 

 of the pots. If compact and pretty little plants 

 are required, the same pots may be used, merely 

 1 educing the roots, so that the pot will hold a small 

 quantity of compost for the plant to feed upon. 

 A most excellent compost for potted roses may be 

 made as follows : — Pare some turf from a loamy 

 pasture : the parings should be from one to two 

 inches thick ; bake them in an oven about twelve 

 hours, when the temperature is equal to that 

 just after it has been used for baking bread ; 

 they must not be burned ; * this, chopped as before 

 directed with one-third of rotten manure, or 

 leaf-mould, forms one of the very finest of com- 

 posts. The plants must be looked to carefully in 

 spring, and whenever infested by the aphis or 

 green fly, tobacco-smoke must be applied. Mildew 

 is easily destroyed by sprinkling sulphur on the 

 foliage, and suffering it to remain undisturbed for 

 one or two days ; the plants should then be 

 plentifully syringed ; extraordinary luxuriance of 

 growth may be given by watering them once a 

 week with guano-water. 



* I have used, with much success, turf roasted on a sheet of 

 iron (placed on temporary brickwork), under which a moderate 

 fire has been kept ; about one hour s roasting is sufficient. This 

 chars the turfy side, and acts most beneficially. 



