98 BRITISH MODES OF CULTIVATING 



of fifteen inches from centre to centre of the plants 

 on a medium ; then give a little water, which need 

 not be repeated till the heat rise to the pots." 



In November, he shifts such others whose roots 

 have filled their pots, and have become anywise 

 matted. " Examine any you suspect to be so, and 

 let them be shifted into pots of the next size im- 

 mediately above those they are in; keeping the 

 balls entire, and only singling out the netted fibres 

 at bottom. The rest should be trimmed of any 

 dead leaves at bottom of their stems, and should 

 have a little of the old mould taken from off the 

 surface of the pots ; which replace with fresh earth ; 

 filling the pots fuller than usual, as but little water 

 will be required till next shifting time in the spring. 

 The whole should then be replaced in the bark-bed 

 as before, and should be plunged quite to the rims 

 of the pots ; giving a little water to settle the earth 

 about their roots, which need not be repeated till 

 the heat rise in the bed." 



Plants intended to fruit in the succeeding year, 

 are shifted finally in the August of the year pre- 

 ceding. The plants are again looked over in the 

 February following, and top dressed ; but such as 

 are unhealthy, feeble, and do not stand firm in 

 their pots, he shakes out of their balls entirely, and 

 re-pots in the same, or in smaller pots. " Any 

 plants," he says, " that have already started into 

 fruit, should also be shaken out, and be fresh 

 potted, as above ; which, by the check they re- 

 ceive, will keep them back to a better season of 



