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SATURDAY IN MY GARDEN 



and one part sand will enable such subjects to thrive as aspidistra, 

 begonia, celosia, cineraria, cobaea scandens, cyclamen, hydrangea, 

 geranium, smilax, verbena and all the common annuals. 



Azaleas and heaths require more peat, and this should be sup- 

 plied in the proportion of two parts of peat to one portion of sand. 



And now a word or two about flower-pots. These are best made 

 of ordinary earthenware, and should not be glazed. Neither 

 should they on any account be painted on the outside. One sees 

 this done sometimes, and one is sorry for the plants the pots are 

 intended to hold. The paint neutralises the porosity of the ware, 

 and effectually prevents evaporation, which is essential to the well- 

 being of the plant. 



There are about a dozen sizes of flower-pots in general use, and 

 professional gardeners know them by the number of pots con- 

 tained in a " cast." Here is a list, beginning with the largest : 



Twos . 

 Fours . 

 Sixes . 

 Eights 

 Twelves 

 Sixteens 

 Twenty-fours 

 Thirty-twos 

 Forty-eights 

 Sixties 

 Thumbs . 

 Thimbles . 



Diameter across top 



1 8 inches 



15 inches 



13 inches 



12 inches 



ni inches 



9i inches 



8i inches 



6 inches 



4i inches 



3 inches 



2i inches 



2 inches 



Depth 



14 inches 



13 inches 



12 inches 



i i inches 



10 inches 



9 inches 



8 inches 



6 inches 



5 inches 



3i inches 



2i inches 



2 inches 



When new pots are received from the pottery the first thing 

 necessary is to soak them thoroughly in water before using them. 

 This is essential, because they are naturally so dry that if used in 

 their original state they would suck all the moisture out of the 

 soil and cause injury to the newly potted plant. 



When old pots are to be used again and the life of a flower-pot 

 depends chiefly upon the care with which it is handled cleanli- 

 ness must be made the cardinal rule. More ill-success in the 

 cultivation of plants in pots is due to uncleauliness than to almost 



