92 PLANTS FOR WINDOW GARDENING. 



be used to bloom and grow the plants in. For the winter 

 season, use a small quantity of leaf mould instead of dung. 

 Fresh soil is always to be preferred, for old soil is apt to 

 become cloddy and sour. 



POTTING. 



All being ready, put the drainage in a suitable sized pot. 

 Place first a suitable crock, or a large oyster shell over the 

 hole ; then lay a few large crocks upon that, and smaller 

 upon those, so that the drainage may occupy about three 

 fourths of an inch. Place a thin layer of moss upon the 

 drainage, and upon that a sprinkling of soot or charcoal 

 dust ; after that a thin layer of the rougher parts of the 

 compost, and finally a layer of soil. Then turn the plant 

 out of the old pot, pick out the old drainage, and loosen 

 part of the old roots, spreading them over the new soil as 

 much as possible. Then see that the collar of the roots is 

 just below the rim of the pot, and fill in around the ball 

 with the fresh soil, pressing it down gently as it is put in. 

 When the pot is full, give it a smart stroke or two upon the 

 bench to settle the soil ; level it neatly, leaving it about 

 half an inch below the rim of the pot. This finishes the 

 potting. Then give a good watering of tepid water. 



