10 ON" THE AGE OF AMERICAN ALOES BEFORE FLOWERIXG. 



and to every three bushels of it, add one bushel of lime-rubbish, 

 but if the loam be stiff, some sand must be mixed with it, to 

 make it light; let this be well mixed together, and frequently 

 turned before it is used. 



In April or August, turn the Aloes out of the pots, and if any 

 of the roots be damaged, withered, or mouldy, cut them off, with- 

 out disturbing the others ; lay about two inches of coarse lime- 

 rubbish, or stones, at the bottom of the pot, then put in a few 

 inches of the mixture, and place the plant on it, filling up the 

 sides of the pot, and giving it a gentle watering to settle the 

 earth to the roots. 



Your own discretion will direct you about the shifting of them 

 into larger pots ; in general, every other year changing of the pots 

 will be sufficient, and there ought to be about two inches vacancy 

 between the roots and the pots for the earth, and more when the 

 plants are very large. 



When the leaves begin to be about three feet long, you must 

 be content with the same tub, as then, from the weight of the 

 plant and earth, were you to remove it into larger, it would be too 

 heavy to remove without great inconvenience. 



It is iurpossible to say how frequently they require to be 

 Watered ; the best general rule is, whenever the earth at top appears 

 dry, but then give but a little each time, and repeat it the oftener. 

 In winter they will require but a little, and not any in frosty 

 weather. 



When they are set abroad in the summer, the small ones, 

 which are in earthen pots, should be placed in a pan, which saves 

 much trouble to the gardener ; but in rainy weather, the pans 

 should be turned upside downwards, and if the top of the earth be 

 covered with oyster-shells, it prevents it from drying so fast. 



If the autumn proves very wet, they should be removed into 

 the greenhouse early in September, and placed near the windows j 

 the earth also should be changed for two or three inches at the 

 top, and fresh put in its place, without disturbing of the roots ; 

 this should also be repeated in October or November, when the 

 plants are placing in order for the winter season ; and if this be 

 repeated every two months while they remain in the greenhouse it 

 will be better ; at least let the earth be stirred up with a fork, two 

 or three inches deep, if there be not any fresh brought in. 



