BRIEF REMARKS. 21 



chopped and broken together, in which state it must always be used. 

 A sprinkling of bits of charcoal are of service. 



Potting. Have a liberal drainage of broken pot, upon which place 

 bits of turfy peat. Be careful not to over-pot at a time ; that is, do 

 not have too large a pot, the roots being so very fine, in their early 

 growth, do not require more than an inch extension at one time all 

 round its ball. When that portion is tolerably well filled with fine 

 roots, then re- pot in a larger one, as above stated. Never allow a 

 plant to be what is termed pot-bound, as in that state they are liable to 

 lack a proper supply of water, the foliage turns brown, unhealthy, and 

 soon perishes. Sometimes, too, the roots are injured by drought at the 

 sides of the pots, and perish at the ends. When this has happened, 

 turn out the ball entire, carefully remove the outer portion of the soil, 

 where the roots are killed, and re-pot with fresh soil. This should be 

 done at any season when the plant requires. More particularly 

 should the stock be looked over previous to their pushing in Spring. 

 Let the surface of the ball be nearly level. 



Water. Always use soft water, and about the same temperature as 

 the air the plants are in. Each time you water give as much as will 

 soak the entire ball of soil, and only water again when it has become 

 nearly dry. Never allow the plant to flag. Some persons give at 

 once as much water as will only moisten, perhaps, one-third deep of 

 the ball, and the under portion are kept completely dry, and so die of 

 drought. If a ball is so close with roots that the Avater will not sink, 

 make a few holes into it by means of a bright small iron skewer, and 

 this will assist its general diffusion. 



Air. These plants, to flourish properly, must have a house to them- 

 selves, however small or large it is. A house must be constructed so 

 that all the light be given to it that can be ; and the plants not be far 

 from the glass, from three feet at the sides to five at centre, of a double- 

 roofed house. Air must be admitted at each side of the house, so 

 that the upright sashes being opened, a current of wind affects to 

 moving the shoots, that is, gives the plants a living moving atmosphere, 

 on all proper occasions ; avoiding, however, cold eastern or northern 

 blasts. In a house properly constructed, by having the plants placed 

 upon an even table, up the centre portion of the house, so that a walk 

 is allowed around it, and a shelf on the same level be next the sashes, 

 thus in passing around there are plants right and left. I say, in such 

 a house, the plants may remain all the year ; they require no out-door 

 situation in summer. If it be desirable, in the very hottest of summer, 

 to have the roots somewhat cooler, place a boarded frame round the 

 fable, and fill up between the pots with neat moss. The pots should 

 be placed upon a pot-rim about an inch high ; this is better than upon 

 either a slate or stone table ; they are cooler than the atmosphere, and 

 injurious in proportion to the success of the plants. The rim supports 

 the pot, and if three or four inches in diameter, the water out of the 

 pot bottom passes away. 



