DEAINAGE POTTING. 121 



removed from the ball easily, they let the superfluous water 

 pass off freely, and the Fern-roots seem to like this kind of 

 drainage the best of any that we have used. To keep the soil 

 in large pots open and pervious to water, we have used 

 moderate-sized pieces of charcoal, and even sandstone, with 

 advantage. 



POTTING. 



The proper season for this operation is early in spring, 

 just when the young fronds begin to push forth. Examine 

 the deciduous species, and if any show signs of life, give 

 them a good watering to moisten the soil a week previous 

 to repotting. Have the pots in readiness if new, soak them 

 in water for an hour, and set them to dry for a day ; if old, 

 let them be washed thoroughly clean. Then get ready the 

 drainage materials. Break the potsherds into three sizes 

 a few large enough to cover the holes at the bottom of the 

 pots, a larger number of less size, and a greater quantity 

 about the size of Marrowfat Peas. The compost should be 

 got in and be neither dry not wet. 



All these points having been duly attended to, then bring 

 out the plants into the potting-shed. In potting, we always 

 find it advantageous to pot all of one size first. It is im- 

 material whether you begin with the largest or the smallest. 

 Let this operation be done quickly, we mean all at once. 

 Plants suffer greatly by being kept too long in the potting-shed, 

 exposed, probably, to cold draughts of air, or, if not exposed 

 to that, suffering for the want of light : hence we recommend 

 all to be ready, so that no delay may take place in getting the 

 plants repotted and back again to their home. During the 

 operation see that all decayed fronds are removed, and also any 

 roots that may be dead. Shake off the loose soil and old 

 drainage ; and in repotting leave sufficient space, according to 

 the size of each plant, below the rim of the pot, to hold water 

 enough to thoroughly wet the entire ball of earth. Many a 

 fine Fern has perished by neglecting this point. When all are 



