58 



WINDOW GARDENING. 



As the pots become filled with roots, the plants must be shifted into 

 larger, and when these are filled, again repotted into others. 



Fig. 2a Fig. 24. 



It is easy to find when to repot the plants, by running a broad bladed table 

 knife around the inner edge of the pot, and turning it bottom side upwards over 

 the hand ; the ball of earth readily slips out, and the roots are disclosed to view. 

 If you suspect there are worms in the soil, their presence can be detected* 

 by the fact that they soon come to the surface to know the cause of the disturb- 

 ance, and then they can be destroyed. 



The soil should be frequently stirred about the surface of the pots, and for this 

 purpose a good sized hair pin or two-tined fork are good instruments. The for- 



Fig. 25. Fig. 2fi. 



iner is best as its prongs are so small, raking up the earth without distuibing 

 greatly the tiny rootlets. 



In potting or repotting it is needful sometimes to cut back the plants, and when 

 it is done, due deference must be paid to their shape, thinning out the branches 

 so that they will be in good form, for the beauty of the plant is greatly depend- 

 ent upon this. 



