30 CONIFEROUS PLANTS. 



in pots. It cannot be too soon impressed on pur- 

 chasers that to do so is to act contrary to their own 

 interests. 



We frequently receive orders for Coniferse, accom- 

 panied with instructions to the effect that if the plants 

 named are not in pots, on no account are they to be 

 sent. "We know how inferior for the purpose required 

 such plants are, when compared with others grown in 

 the open borders. But as we are, of course, anxious 

 to comply as far as possible with the wishes of our 

 customers, we despatch such as are desired. A 

 prejudice exists against plants removed from the open 

 borders ; in numerous instances it is a just one. It 

 has arisen from the fact that many growers do not trans- 

 plant often enough. The consequences are, the plants 

 become coarse-rooted, and, being removed in an indif- 

 ferent condition, are often lost before they can recover 

 the check consequent on their change of situation. 

 But the remedy for this is in the hands of purchasers: if 

 coarse-rooted plants cannot be sold, growers will cease 

 to bring them into the market. 



But the disadvantages of pot-grown plants are, as 

 a general rule, of equal magnitude with the worst 

 condition of those badly managed in the open borders. 

 Yet purchasers patronise the former to a large extent, 

 and to the exclusion, in a great measure, of the 

 latter. We are every day more sensible of their 

 inferiority, and will here endeavour to point out their 

 prominent defects. 



As it becomes a matter of great importance to nur- 

 serymen that their stock of pot-grown plants should 



