AND coxsehtatoet. 61 



it, but not adding any manure, as in this respect it will be 

 rich enough already. 



Loams and peats differ so much in quality that it is difficult 

 to convey an idea of what is good or bad of either. Neverthe- 

 less, it will not be difficult, in any district, to make discovery 

 of the best sorts available for horticultural purposes, and the 

 amateur who means it will soon discover the way. 



Having always dwelt in a northern suburb of London, we 

 liave been accustomed to keep a good store of Wanstead peat 

 in the garden for all rough purposes, and have trusted to 

 Epps's " selected" peat, which is packed in barrels and sold at 

 a reasonable price by Mr. Epps, of Lewisham, for all the more 

 delicate habited of the peat plants. As for the loam, that 

 which we are best accustomed with is a modified clay, except 

 when full of fibre ; we use none but silver sand from Eeigate 

 for small work, but find the siftings of the sweepings of the 

 gravel walks the best of sand in the world for general use. 

 Leaf mould must be prepared at home, and the way to ensure 

 plenty is to lay up grass mowings, leaves, and the worn-out 

 stuff from flower-pots in which plants have been grown in a 

 compact heap aioveihe level (not in a pit or any wet place), 

 and allow it at least twelve months to rot through ; it is better 

 if allowed to remain two years. 



Potting is a test of dexterity, even amongst experienced 

 gardeners, for many who could pot ofi" " bedding-stuft' " by the 

 thousand in "no time" would bave to put on a "puzzling 

 cap" if required to repot a gigantic agave or camellia ; but on 

 good potting success will turn more certainly than on any 

 other separate process in all the round of greenhouse practice. 

 We will first speak of the pots, which must always be clean 

 and better if new. The sizes required for ordinary purposes 

 are 60' s, which are three and a half inches in diameter at top ; 

 48's, which are five inches in diameter ; 32's, which are six 

 inches in diameter; and 24's, which are eight inches in diame- 

 ter. To clean old pots is a simple matter enough ; but it may 

 be well to remember that, if a lot of old pots are left lying 

 loose about out of doors all the winter, they will be quite 

 clean and as good as new in spring, for the frost will scrub 

 them, not only on the surface, but in the very pores of the 

 clay. 



in preparing the pots, first of all place in the bottom, 



