GEOWING IN BOEDEES POTTING- AND PLANTING. 83 



tubers. In the meadows or thickets the turf or the fallen leaves 

 protect them sufficiently. The situation for the pots in summer 

 should be on the warm east border, and the pots should always 

 be plunged up to the rim. When at rest remove them into a 

 cold frame or pit, and shelter them by a covering on the glass in 

 hard frost. Keep the glass on in wet weather, but draw it quite 

 off on dry, fine days. 



IN BORDEES. Some of the stronger-growing species, however, 

 will thrive well in a border prepared for them, with the proper 

 soil for each species. This border should be formed with boards 

 or slates at the sides, raised six or eight inches above the general 

 level of the ground ; and the bed of soil should be well drained 

 and kept an inch or two below the edgings. Then when the 

 leaves are decayed, the border may be covered either with boards 

 or hoops, and oiled canvas, to throw off the heavy autumn and 

 winter rains ; for heavy rain, and consequently saturated soil, 

 are certain death to these lovely plants. 



Potting and Planting. As will be easily surmised, the best 

 season for repotting is just when the buds begin to swell. As 

 soon as that is perceived, prepare the different soils for them by 

 placing a sufficient quantity under cover to dry and become 

 moderately aired. Prepare also larger clean pots and plenty of 

 drainage. Broken unburnt limestone makes a good drainage 

 for kinds that require chalky loams. For others, broken garden- 

 pots will be better. Such as are in pocs should be brought from 

 their winter quarters and placed handy near the potting-bench, 

 then drain several sized pots to be ready, and then carefully turn 

 the balls out of the pots. Pick away quite as carefully the old 

 drainage and part of the soil, being careful not to wound the 

 tubers or fibres. All dead roots, of course, should be removed. 

 Then place some rougher parts of the compost over the drain- 

 age, and upon that a sufficient quantity of soil to bring the ball 

 nearly level with tlie rim of the pot. If the plant is strong, and 

 evidently larger than it was at the last shifting, then give it a 

 larger pot 5 but if not, one of the same size, but a fresh one, will 



