SECT. XVI11. OF FLOWERS. 297 



to the weather, their situation as to the sun, the size 

 of the pots, the fulness of the roots, the quantity of 

 leaves, and the particular nature of their substance, 

 as succulent or not : The smaller pots must have it 

 the more frequently. The earth also in which plants 

 grow makes a great difference, as some sorts of soil 

 retain moisture much longer than others. It may 

 be a question whether pots of annual flowers stand- 

 ing in pans, should have water constantly kept in 

 them, or only watered (in due time) on the top, till 

 it runs through : Both practices are followed by 

 good gardeners; but the latter I judge best; as 

 keeping the young fibres at the bottom always sod- 

 den caq hardly be right : With respect to perennials, 

 (except of an aquatic nature) it must be wrong. Let 

 pots of flowers in the summer be placed pretty much 

 in the shade and shelter but not by any means be 

 under trees, or a roof. A situation where they have 

 only the morning sun till eleven or twelve o'clock is 

 the best ; and some persons are so curious ia this 

 respect as to have awnings for the purpose, and tem- 

 porary reed fences to keep off also the wind, to 

 which flowers (particularly oi ? the tender kind) should 

 not be wholly exposed. Annuals, or even a few pe- 

 rennials, may be put in covered places, when nearly 

 in full blow, for the sake of their ornament ; but the 

 latter should not be continued longer than while the. 

 prime show lasts, for it will make them weak and 

 crooked. 



It is advisable not to pot more hardy plants than 

 necessary, as they occasion much trouble, if properly 

 managed ; and after all, will not be so fine as those 

 growing in the open ground. Some things are too 

 tender for open culture, and by potting they are con- 

 veniently protected by frames, or by housing, and 

 sometimes simply plunging them in the ground, close, 

 against a warm wall, in winter, where a little prptecs 



