March.'} GREEN-HOUSE REPOTTING. 261 



we have mentioned in this Repotting, as to be done in this 

 or beginning of next month, is not intended to apply to 

 plants in general, large and small, but to those that are 

 young, arid require encouragement, or to those that were not 

 shifted last autumn. The roots must not be disturbed, but 

 the ball turned out entire ; and put as much earth as will 

 raise the ball within about half an inch of the rim of the pot. 

 Press the earth down around it with a thin narrow piece of 

 wood, called a potting stick, frequently shaking it that no 

 vacancy may be left. If the roots are rotten, or otherwise 

 injured, take all such off. If this be the case, the plant will 

 be sickly. Give it a new pot of a smaller size, administering 

 water moderately until there are visible signs of fresh growth. 

 The plants must not be disturbed while flowering; let the re- 

 potting be done afterward. Plants are, at certain stages, if in 

 good health, in a state that no one can err in shifting them 

 when desirous to hasten their growth. Those plants that 

 make two or more growths during the summer may be repotted 

 in the interim of any of these growths, and all others just be- 

 fore they begin to push in the spring; that is, when the wood 

 buds are perceptibly swelled. Never saturate with water 

 fresh-potted plants. There are many kinds that, without in- 

 jury, can be repotted when growing. When done potting, tie 

 all up neatly with stakes rather higher than the plant, that the 

 new shoots may be tied thereto during the summer, to prevent 

 them from being destroyed by the wind. There may be many 

 that do not require repotting, but would be benefited by a 

 top-dressing. This should be done by probing off all the sur- 

 face earth down to the roots, replacing it with fresh compost, 

 suitable to the nature of the plant. 



When the above is done, arrange all the plants in proper 

 order, and syringe them clean ; but if there are any of the 

 green-fly, they must be fumigated previous to syringing. The 

 pavement of the house should be cleanly and neatly swept 

 every day, and washed at least once a week. Thus, every part 

 of the house will be in order before the hurry of the gardec 

 commences. 



