50 PRESENT-DAY GARDENING 



down the sides of the pot. On returning the plants to the 

 frame arrange them thinly, for, as the plants should only be 

 left in the frame three to four weeks according to the state 

 of the weather, it is desirable to avoid a further handling. 

 In the event of the weather being warm and dry, two days 

 after potting may be quite long enough to leave them 

 without a root-watering, which should be thorough when 

 carried out. 



If the weather is not too hot the frames may be kept 

 moderately close for a few days after potting, but rather 

 than raise the temperature in the frames excessively high, 

 it is better to admit air and apply a light spraying with 

 clear water every two or three hours, which will be 

 sufficient to prevent the leaves from flagging. 



As soon as the roots get well hold of the new soil, the 

 frame lights may be removed entirely on all favourable 

 occasions, as the more hardy the plants are now kept the 

 less check will they experience on their removal to the 

 open air. Provided a fairly sheltered position is available, 

 there is very little advantage to be gained by leaving them 

 in the frames after the first week in May. But, on the 

 contrary, the plants fill out more quickly and improve in 

 all respects out of doors. On removing them to the open 

 a position should be selected that is sheltered from cold 

 winds and a good ash bottom prepared for the pots to rest 

 upon so that earthworms will not get into the soil. Each 

 plant should be provided with a stake, leaving the stakes 

 long enough to serve for three weeks or a month, or until 

 the plants are repotted. 



At this stage the plants will require water pretty freely, 

 and when they have been out of doors for a few days it 

 will be necessary to examine them twice each day. As 



