40 WINDOW GARDENING. 



life with every drop. But don't let them remain out too long; a ;hill in April 

 is often fatal to Heliotropes, variegated leaved plants, Fuchsias, etc. One must 

 be governed by the climate 



In March or April, according to your latitude, it is well to look into the subject 

 of repotting the plants that have stood in the window. If the plants have had 

 the requisite care and attention during the winter, they have made many new roots 

 and must now have larger pots if you would have them grow to the best advantage. 



Water the pots freely so that the ball of earth will slip out easily, and have 

 your fresh potting soil moist to the touch. Never pot a plant with its ball of 

 earth quite dry, for you cannot give it a good watering in that state. All the 

 water you may supply will run down the fresh soil at the sides, and the plant 

 will experience the fate of Tantalus of old, and literally starve to death, although 

 its nourishment is in sight. If you use new pots, let them be soaked in water 

 over night if possible, and at least three or four hours before using them. If 

 your pots are old, let them be thoroughly washed, and cleansed from all green 

 mould and soil. 



It is not needful to provide larger pots when the first roots show themselves; 

 but when they have twined and interlaced their tiny fibres, then they require 

 more room. Often a light rap upon the edge of the pot, will be sufficient 

 to turn out the ball of earth ; but if not, a thin bladed knife can be run 

 around close to the pot for an inch or two from the top, and this will bring it out 

 easily. Turn it out with your hand and examine the roots ; if they are closely 

 curled about it, the plant requires a pot one size larger. Fill the pot with rich 

 compost and put in the ball and plant directly in the centre, for a plant growing 

 sideways in a pot looks very badly; fill up all around the sides of the pot, 

 packing the soil down firmly with the fingers, cover the ball to the depth of a 

 quarter or half an inch, leaving a vacant space of half an inch more to the edge 

 of the pot for the purpose of Catering to advantage. 



When you turn out the plant, the roots will sometimes appear decayed, and 

 the soil poor, dried, and gritty ; then wash it all away, removing the dried roots, 

 and give fresh, rich soil, pressing it firmly about the roots, but keep the same 

 sized pot. 



Perhaps you will find your plants injured by injudicious watering, the roots 

 rotted, and the soil sodden. Cut off the roots as much as possible without remov- 

 ing the whole of them, and plant them in much smaller pots with a sandy soil, 

 and they will regain their health. 



As the weather grows warmer in May, many plants can be placed in balconies 

 or on piazzas, and shielded from chilly winds and cold nights by mats or blan- 

 kets, or they may be removed to cooler rooms where the sunshine will be suffi- 

 ciently warm to keep them healthy. This is far better than roasting them in 

 the hot rooms that many will live in, spite of all remonstrances to the contrary. 



Sweet Verbenas should be brought from their winter quarters early in March, 

 and they will soon put forth their light green, deliciously perfumed leaves. 



