Notes on Greenhouse Plants, S^c. 215 



appear through the fresh soil ; at this stage place it in a larger 

 pot, where it will have additional stimulus for increase ; pur- 

 sue this treatment until midsummer, and the result would be 

 a large luxuriant plant, without, perhaps, showing a single 

 flower. On the other hand, if the plant is not shifted after 

 the first potting, the soil will quickly be overrun w^itli roots, 

 luxuriant growth will be checked, and flower buds profusely 

 formed. Thus it follows, if we wish to keep a plant growing, 

 we must repress the flowering principle ; and proceed in an 

 opposite direction to produce flowers and fruit. The same 

 principle holds good in all cultivated plants, at certain stages 

 of their growth. And if the orchardist had the roots of his 

 fruit trees as completely under control as the florist has those 

 of his plants in pots, the yearly production of a crop would 

 be reduced to a mere mechanical operation. 



From the above remarks it will be seen that the size of 

 pot and amount of soil proper for each shift depends upon 

 the nature of the plant and the wish of the cultivator. The 

 practice of constantly shifting as soon as the roots touch the 

 pot, and picking off" all incipient flower buds as soon as they 

 appear, will ensure a vigorous plant. Hardwooded plants, 

 however, should never be changed late in the season, as it 

 requires great care to keep them during winter when sur- 

 rounded with a layer of soil unoccupied with roots. Neither 

 is it necessary to follow all the various gradations of sizes in 

 pots. For example, a small fuchsia in a 3-inch pot may be 

 shifted at once into an 8-inch size. This will contain soil 

 sufficient to grow a useful sized plant. The plant will speed- 

 ily fill the pots with roots ; when they are cramped for room, 

 growth will be checked and a flowering disposition increased. 



Soil for potting should be used in a dryish state, and well 

 firmed in the pots. This is an important point ; if thrown 

 in loosely, the water passes through it without properly moist- 

 ening the old ball of earth. There is no danger of making 

 it too firm if all the conditions heretofore recommended are 

 attended to. 



March, 1852. 



(To be continued.) 



