DRAINAGE OF PLANTS IN POTS. 109 



His polish'd limbs, by strange enchantment's pow'r, 

 Shoot into buds and blossom into flow'r, 

 His auburn locks in verdant foliage flow, 

 And wreaths of azure flo'rets shade his brow," 



" Nor are the Spartans, who so much are fam'd 

 For virtue, of their Hyacinth asham'd ; 

 But still with pompous woe and solemn state 

 The Hyacinthian feasts they yearly celebrate." 



Mrs. Charlotte Smith, who spent her youth at Bignor Park, one of 

 tlie most romantic and beautiful spots beneath the Sussex Downs, tells 

 us — 



" In the lone copse, or shadowy dell. 

 Wild clustered knots of Harebells blow." 



For this sweet spot we may justly borrow the lines of Milton, calling it 



" A wilderness of sweets ; for Nature here 

 Wanton'd as in her prime, and play'd at will 

 Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, 

 Wild above rule or art, enormous bliss." 



Tlie distinguished family who now reside at Bignor Park have too 

 correct a taste to destroy the natural beauties of the spot, which our 

 fair poetess has made celebrated, either by the introduction of the 

 axe, or the line and rule, yet we perceived here 



" Flowers worthy of Paradise." 



Shakspeare's magic pen alone is sufficient to stamp celebrity on any 

 plant it has glided over ; for however slightly he touches on it, it is 

 fully painted to our senses. 



" With fairest flowers, 



While summer lasts, and I live here, Fidele, 

 I'll sweeten thy sad grave : thou shalt not lack 

 The flower that's like thy face, pale Primrose, nor 

 The azured Harebell, like thy veins ; no, nor 

 The leaf of Eglantine, whom, not to slander, 

 Outsweeten'd not thy breatli." 



DRAINAGE OP PLANTS IN POTS. 



The general laws which regulate the vegetable economy are alike in 

 plants grown in the open ground and to those cultivated in pots. The 

 vegetative principle is never changed or altered, either in the plants 

 subjected to artificial treatment, or in those whicii may be said to 

 occupy a more natural position. In accordance therewith, plants 

 grown in pots should be treated in all essential particulars like tliose 

 grown in the open ground, especially in relation to drainage. In its 

 application to agricultural purposes great benefits liave been derived, 

 and so it may be in horticulture and floriculture. The operation of 

 draining a pot requires to be done with a perfect understanding as to 



