CHAP. XI.] FLOWER-POTS. 295 



answer admirably with some kinds of plants, 

 but not to succeed in ail cases. 



Another mode of potting plants, called the 

 one-shift system, was introduced about the 

 same time, but it is scarcely worth mentioning, 

 as it has proved a decided failure. It consisted 

 in removing plants at once from small pots into 

 very large ones, and though it succeeded in 

 some cases, it was in very few. 



One great objection to growing plants in 

 rooms is, the difficulty that exists in keeping 

 them clear of insects ; particularly of the aphis, 

 or green flv, and the kind of mite commonly 

 called the red spider ('Acarus telarius). These 

 are generally destroyed by fumigating them 

 with some kind of fumigating bellows. W ash- 

 ing with a sponge, and syringing with abund- 

 ance of water, are better modes, particularly 

 the latter ; as it has been often observed that 

 neither the green fly nor the red spider will 

 ever infest a plant that is frequently syringed. 



Flower-pots are of many different kinds, but 

 those of the common red earthenware are de- 

 cidedly the best, because they are the most 

 porous, and consequently do not retain the 

 moisture so as to be injurious to the plants they 

 contain; but they should always be washed 

 clean and suffered to become quite dry be- 

 fore they are used. Pots glazed inside were 

 recommended some time since, but they are 

 found not to succeed. Flower-pots are of 

 various sizes, which are designated by the 

 number made out of a certain quantity of clay 

 called a cast. Thus the largest size, which is 

 a foot and a half in diameter, is called a two, 



