96 OF FtOWEKS, SECT. XVJII, 



Tiie potthig of plants is often carelessly, but ought 

 to be most carefully performed, that as little check 

 as possible may be felt by the roots. Fill the pot 

 one third, half, or more, full, (as the case may re- 

 quire) and then make a hole in the middle, adapted 

 in form to receive the plant, with its hall of earth ; 

 and be sure do it right at first, so as not lo be too 

 high, or too low, for once put in, it will not be safe 

 to take it out again, lest the mould drop from the 

 roots. Do not press the ball of earth, (as some do) 

 but only just fasten the loose mould that Is put round 

 it with a thin bit of stick. If the soil is light, press 

 that a little which is first put in at the bottom. If 

 a plant that is to be potted be without mould about 

 its roots, raise a hillock (at a proper height) in the 

 middle of the pot, to lay the roots on and round : 

 It must always be avoided planting in the pots too 

 deep, because so much of the pot is lost as is above,, 

 except the sort is apt to strike root above, as bal- 

 sams. In all transplantations, it is proper to shorten 

 some of the roots, and the most straggling are to be 

 chosen for the purpose : so that when it is done with 

 a ball of earth, some of the external fibres must be 

 cut off if it was not done bj taking up, which it 

 generally is when the plants are any thing large. 



Annuals in pots will require water every day, in 

 very hot weather, and in moderately so, every other ; 

 but those in the open ground will do at least twice 

 as long without water being given them. Some 

 sorts will need more water than others, as egg plants 

 and balsams., than coxcombs and tricolors. This 

 matter, and a variety of others, will be learned by 

 observation, without a talent for which, no one can 

 possibly become a good gardener. The most exact 

 directions will not take in every case, and rules will 

 be or' little avail, where the mind is not in exercise. 



In general, potted plants require water according 



