64 Notes on Greenhouse Plants, Sfc. 



moisture. Considerable experience in plant culture points to 

 the fact that in a turfy soil, such as here recommended, all 

 kinds of greenhouse plants can be grown to greater perfection 

 than in any other. Plants cultivated in it are characterized 

 by the deep healthy hue of the foliage, short jointed, well 

 ripened wood, and a profusion of large and well colored 

 flowers. This arises from the circumstance that there is no 

 excess of food at any period of the plant's growth ; hence its 

 development is regular^ The energies of the plant are not 

 expended in making an over-luxuriant growth of leaves and 

 branches when young, as is the case when the soil is so rich 

 as to cause excessive growth, which retards maturation of 

 the wood, induces disease, and is diametrically opposed to 

 the production of flowers and fruit. 



In preparing this soil for potting it should be chopped with 

 a spade to reduce it sufficiently ; this, of course, will be reg- 

 ulated by the nature of the plants and size of pots to be 

 used. If the basis of the soil is tenacious, it will be neces- 

 sary to use a liberal admixture of correctives. Charcoal, 

 broken bones, pebbles, sand, or small stones of any descrip- 

 tion, are available for this purpose. The former of these is 

 a valuable substance to mix in soils, from its capabilities in 

 absorbing moisture, and the various gases that come in con- 

 tact with it, all of which are again given out to the roots. 

 Bones are also of great utility when used in this manner, as 

 they slowly decompose, and supply both organic and inor- 

 ganic substances. These correctives can be regulated in 

 quantity to suite any description of plant. Hardwooded and 

 slow growing plants, which may remain for years in the same 

 pot, should be well supplied with them in the soil, to prevent 

 adhesion after the vegetable fibre becomes decomposed, and 

 ensure a healthy circulation of gases under all circumstances. 

 Strong growing plants will not require much addition in this 

 respect, as they soon occupy the pots with roots, but all are 

 benefited by a liberal allowance of charcoal and bones. 



December 27, 1851. 



(To be continued.) 



