Notes on Greenhouse Plants, 4*c. 213 



litxuriant vegetation after they are undermined with drains 

 than they did before, the drains allowing an admission of air, 

 which holds the moisture in suspension to the benefit of the 

 plants. Drains do not in reality dry the soil, they only carry 

 away superfluous water that is not retained by absorption ; 

 and if this surplus is not carried away, stagnation takes place, 

 noxious matters are generated, and disease and death are the 

 inevitable results. We confess to an entertainment at one 

 time of the belief that less drainage would be required for 

 plants in pots during summer than would be necessary for 

 their well being throughout the winter months. A fair trial 

 soon gave convincing proof of its impropriety. With insuf- 

 ficient drainage, the soil in drying shrinks and leaves the 

 sides of the pots, and when Avater is applied it runs down 

 between the ball of earth and the pot, without penetrating to 

 the centre. On the contrary, when water is applied on the 

 surface of a well drained soil, it immediately percolates freely 

 throughout every part ; and when it has absorbed as much as 

 it can retain, the rest passes away by the drainage. Both 

 science and practice point undoubtingly to the fact that good 

 drainage is the foundation for good cultivation. 



The material most generally used for draining plants in 

 pots is pieces of the pots broke up in suitable sizes. Char- 

 coal, bones, bricks, &c., may be used with equal advantage, 

 and by some are preferred. In the first place, lay one large 

 piece over the bottom hole, close enough to prevent worms 

 and ■ insects penetrating into the soil and disarranging the 

 drainage, over this put a handful or two of smaller material, 

 covering the whole with a small quantity of moss, to keep 

 the drainage clear of mould, and the pot is prepared. 



The next point is the preparation of the plants. Those 

 intended for removal should be allowed to get rather dry 

 beforehand. A plant cannot be turned out of the pot and 

 handled, without injury, when soaking with wet. The man- 

 ner of treating the roots depends upon the nature of the 

 subjects. Permanent plants, as camellias, epacris, azaleas, 

 and most of those that are hardwooded and shrubby, if in 

 perfect health, should not have the roots much disturbed, 



