•J8 REMARKS ON POTTING PLANTS. 



The general skill of the nurserymen and gardeners of the present 

 age, in plant growing, is such that it is soon ascertained what suits 

 best ; and purchasers of plants, observing in what kind of compost 

 they are in, will discover what will usually be a guide for future, as 

 it relates to its nature. What I am desirous to make some remarks 

 on, in this place, is the condition in which the soil, &c, should be 

 when used for potting the plants in. 



The first attention is required to have a suitable-sized pot. For 

 those plants whose roots proceed rapidly, as vigorous-growing plants, 

 a larger pot may be used at once ; but where the fibrous roots are 

 few, or very delicate, one of proportionate less dimensions. 



A free drainage of broken pots, Sphagnum moss, chopped turf, 

 &c, to a good depth, is an essential thing to success ; for, if water is 

 not allowed to pass off with freedom, the soil at the lower part of the 

 ball soon becomes soddened and sour, and each application of water 

 afterwards only tends to promote the saturation of a layer higher up 

 the ball, and increase the evil; and thus preventing the water 

 filtering away hastens on the death of the plant. 



The compost itself, too, should be of an open texture, so that not 

 only the water may freely filter through, but to admit air in a due 

 degree to pervade amongst the roots in an equal degree in every part, 

 and this latter is a most essential thing to fertility. When the ball 

 of compost becomes of a close texture, and allowed to dry, it bakes so 

 hard as thus to prevent a regular diffusion of moisture or air ; and 

 if kept saturated, becomes of so close a texture as to be equally 

 injurious. 



The application of bits of charcoal scattered amongst the soil I find 

 very beneficial ; it not only tends to keep the soil open, but at the 

 same time absorbs moisture and retains a degree thereof which con- 

 tributes to supply sustenance when the soil even becomes somewhat 

 dry. So, in some degree, I find broken bits of porous stone, or pot- 

 sherds, beneficial when scattered in a moderate degree. 



The surface of the ball should be carefully attended to, especially 

 in the case of delicate plants, to have it kept so even as that the water 

 given may descend as regularly as desired in every part. When (as 

 it is liable thereto) the application of water is given so that a hollow 

 around the stem of a delicate plant is formed, and a continuous 

 supply is poured in and sinks mostly there, the death of the plant is 



