On the Cultivation of the Balsam. 349 



as much of the earth as hangs on the roots, and, making 

 allowance for the room it will take, make a hole in the centre 

 of the soil in the pot, thrusting the wood down a little w^ay, 

 and press the soil sideways to open a vacancy; plant the 

 seedling in without disturbing the fibres, and put soil upon 

 it, pressing the soil enough to close the earth about the roots ; 

 or fill the pots all but an inch of the top, place the seedling 

 in the centre on the soil, holding it with one hand, while 

 with the other the rest of the soil is put in to fill up the pot, 

 gently pressing it around the sides to prevent the plant from 

 sinking too low, and only covering the roots to the collar ; 

 water at the same instant, so that the plant shall not flag a 

 moment. These pots are all to be replaced in the hot-bed, 

 and covered a few hours with a mat, with the frame closed. 

 They must then have a little air daily, and the frame must 

 be sunk or the soil in it raised, so that the plants be near the 

 glass, and all of them near alike ; that is to say, not more 

 than three inches from it. They will grow rapidly, want 

 water frequently, and air must be given at the back of the 

 frame, by propping up the light half an inch or an inch accord- 

 ing to the heat of the bed. 



SHIFTING INTO LARGER POTS. 



As soon as the roots reach the sides of the pots, which will 

 be seen by turning out one of the balls occasionally, prepare 

 pots a size larger, viz., thirty-twos, and a few crocks at the 

 bottom of each. As soon as the roots begin to mat, or grow 

 freely on the outside of the ball, and close to the pot, they 

 will be ready for the change. Put as much soil on the crocks 

 as will raise the ball to the surface of the pot, then turn 

 them out, one by one, and, placing them in the centre of the 

 larger pot, fill in the soil all around it, carefully pressing it 

 down the side without damaging the fibres, and levelling the 

 top of the soil nearly up to the edge of the pot, for watering 

 will sink it a little. These must all be returned to the hot- 

 bed, which will be cooler for the work it has done ; and, the 

 weather being warmer, it need only be carefully closed in 

 bad weather and of a night, and be well protected with a 

 covering of some kind. Now the frame may require raising, 



VOL. XIV. — NO. VIII. 30 



