INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 311 



turning poor soil to the best account are precisely the men who will 

 be most anxious to obtain the materials which are known to promote 

 the luxurious growth of pot plants. 



The top spit of an old pasture makes capital potting soil. If 

 taken from light land, it need only be stacked for one year before 

 use. A heavy loam should be kept for at least two seasons, and in 

 any case the heap should be turned and remade several times. A 

 slight sprinkling of soot between the layers of soil will be beneficial, 

 and help to make it distasteful to grubs, wire worms, and other vermin. 

 The frequent turnings will not be wasted labour, for it equalises 

 the quality, and tends to sweeten the whole by exposing new sur- 

 faces to the atmosphere ; and this is a great aid to he.althy growth. 



Many plants thrive in peat, or in soil of which peat is a con- 

 stituent, and some flowers cannot be grown without it. The peat 

 may have to be purchased from a distance, but there is no difficulty 

 in obtaining it, as a considerable trade is done in this article. 



A constant supply of decayed leaf-mould may possibly be arranged 

 for on the spot ; but if this is out of the question, it is procurable in 

 most districts. 



The preparation of soil for pot plants is frequently postponed 

 until the day on which it is actually required. This is bad practice, 

 and results too often in the use of an improper proportion of the 

 materials, and perhaps in their defective admixture. In this, as in 

 all other operations connected with horticulture, the men who take 

 time by the forelock ,will achieve the highest results. In no pursuit 

 of life is it more necessary to forecast coming duties, than in the 

 culture of flowers. We will suppose that three or four weeks hence 

 many pots are to be filled with Primulas. The man who grows them 

 with any degree of enthusiasm will not defer the preparation of the 

 soil until the day arrives for potting the plants. He will determine 

 in advance the proportions of loam, leaf-mould, and sand, have the 

 whole thoroughly incorporated, and possibly sifted to remove stones. 

 With these may come away some undecayed fibres, which make 

 excellent material for laying over the crocks at the bottom of each 

 pot. Forethought of this kind is certain of an ample reward. 



Potting soil should also be in the right condition as to moisture. 

 This is not easy to describe, but it should handle freely, and yet 

 there should be no necessity for the immediate application of water 

 after sowing seeds or planting bulbs. In the event of the compost 

 being too dry, give it a soaking and allow it to rest for one or more 

 days, according to the time of year and the state of the atmosphere. 



