202 SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



worms are unable to enter the pots, and a free circulation of air 

 all round and underneath the plant is possible. 



Towards the end of June the plants will need to be finally 

 repotted. This is a task that cannot be accomplished all at once, 

 for the simple reason that all the plants are not ready for the 

 operation. Chrysanthemums in all their stages prior to and at the 

 final potting should be " shifted on," as the professional gardener 

 says, just when they are ready no sooner and no later. The 

 discovery of this psychological moment requires that the grower 

 shall pay careful attention to the progress of his plants. He will 

 make frequent examinations of the roots by turning the ball of 

 earth out of the pot, and if he finds that the soil is full of roots and 

 that more earth space is required, he will see that it is promptly 

 provided. 



By this time the plants will be in five-inch or six-inch pots, and 

 the stems from a foot to eighteen inches high. In the case of 

 strong, vigorous growers, pots nine inches in diameter across the 

 top will be used for the final " shift." For the weaker varieties 

 seven-inch or eight-inch pots will be large enough. 



The preparation of the soil requires careful consideration. A 

 good average compost can be made up of loam in which there is 

 a fair admixture of matted root fibre, and one part each of leaf 

 mould, wood ashes, old lime rubbish, or broken oyster shells, 

 and charcoal or coarse sand. A five-inch potful of bone meal 

 should be added to each bushel of the compost. 



Be sure that the pots are thoroughly clean, and that they are 

 well crocked for drainage. Place a shallow layer of the fibrous 

 loam over the crocks, and fill to the necessary height with the 

 prepared soil. Knock the plant out of the old pot, and shake off 

 as much of the old soil as it is possible to remove without injuring 

 the roots. Then place the ball in the centre of the new pot, and 

 fill in layer after layer of soil, making each fairly firm. A potting 

 stick should be used for the final layers, so that the soil can be 

 rammed in tightly, for firm potting in the case of chrysanthemums 

 means a healthy, sturdy growth, well-ripened wood, and the 

 consequent production of satisfactory blooms. 



