198 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



twine or cloth strips a small piece of shingle or something 

 similar, to hold the stem in its original position; otherwise 

 it is likely to get knocked or blown over. 



After a few days take out the moss, wash the wound care- 

 fully to remove as much as possible of the congealed milky 

 sap, insert fresh moss, and then tie about it, extending 

 several inches above and below, a ball of moss which will be 

 several inches in diameter when finished. Old strips of 

 sheeting an inch and a half in width are convenient for this 

 purpose. This ball should be kept moist at all times, but 

 do not use very cold water. 



New roots will have formed in a few weeks. Then the 

 moss should be carefully removed enough to finish the cut. 

 Pot up the plant, using soil that is thoroughly moist but not 

 wet. Keep in the shade and syringe daily for a few days, 

 but do not water the soil again until it begins to get dry. 



Another method is to saw a pot in two lengthwise, put 

 some soil in it and clamp the two halves over the moss 

 round the wound, letting roots go through into the soil so 

 that the new plant is well established in the pot before the 

 stem is completely severed. The old stem should be cut 

 back to within a few inches of the ground, which will in- 

 duce it to throw out side branches to form a spreading, 

 bush-shaped plant, or material for new plants. 



Mid-summer Potting 



The work of potting may be greatly facilitated by having 

 a low bench or table in a shady place. This bench should 

 be three feet wide, waist high and long enough to accommo- 

 date several flats on each end, the middle being occupied by 

 soil for potting, pots, and so forth. New pots should be 

 soaked for half a day or so before using. Old pots should be 

 thoroughly cleansed; let them soak for a day, then scrub 

 with a cheap bristle brush and a supply of clean, gritty 

 sand. 



House plants that have been kept for a number of years 

 may be given a new lease of life by taking them out of the 



