170 ON PREPARING BORDERS. 



should stand, that an opportunity may be had of changing any of 

 them to situations in which it might be thought they would have a 

 better effect. 



Tu thus regulating them it should be a leading principle to pay a 

 strict attention to variety; endeavouring to mix the different shades 

 and foliage in the most agreeable and elegant manner. The future 

 growth of the plants must also be considered, more than the present 

 size, and the tall growing species arranged in the hindmost rows, and 

 the more dwarf kinds towards the front : for although some which re- 

 quire to be in the back rows may at present be small plants, they 

 will soon outstrip the others when planted out and encouraged. Care 

 must be taken likewise to allow each species sufficient room according 

 to its supposed natural growth. 



Having arranged the plants in the best manner, according to cir- 

 cumstances, provide some of the different earths in separate baskets, 

 so as to be enabled to add a portion to the roots of each plant, of that 

 particular earth in which it seems to thrive the best : a precaution 

 very necessary, as the transplanting these tender plants from a 

 stronger to a weaker soil, or vice versa, might turn out very in- 

 jurious : and vet the compost recommended as the groundwork for 

 filling up the pit, is perfectly congenial to the whole when they at- 

 tain a strong vigorous growth, at least to such as are particularly 

 adapted for conservatories, as Botany Bay plants in general, Cape 

 plants, except heaths and Proteas, which I think do better in pots; 

 and in short the full list of what are termed greenhouse plants, with 

 the above exceptions, which I doubt not might be done away with 

 by allotting houses particularly to these genera. 



At all events, the plant chosen should be in perfect good health, as 

 I think the pit of a conservatory among the worst places for the pur- 

 pose of recovering a sickly one. The hole should be made sufficiently 

 large to admit, with the ball of roots, any additional earth that may 

 be deemed necessary. Let the plant be turned carefully out of its 

 pot, and set upright in the hole, some of the favourite soil being pre- 

 viously put in ; more of which should be added round the roots, and 

 over that the compost of the pit may be levelled, aud the whole 

 pressed pretty tight to the roots. 



In this manner let the whole be planted, but observe that they are 

 not deeper in the mould of the pit, than they were in pots. Many 

 of them being extremely liable to canker and mortify, in the lower 

 part of their stems when planted too deep, particularly the tenderer 

 sorts. They should all be carefully and regularly supported with 

 neat sticks, and for the larger species pretty strong ones should be 



