312 PERNS: BRITISH AND FOREIGN. 



the hole of the pot, the concave side downwards : 

 there should be two, three, or four holes at the side, 

 quite at the base, made in all pots larger than eight 

 inches in diameter, the number of holes of course 

 according to the size of the pot. This is the more 

 essential when the pots are placed on smooth benches, 

 as of stone or slate, the capillary attraction between 

 the pot and bench retaining the superfluous water, 

 and causing much stagnancy. After properly arrang- 

 ing the drainage, a small quantity of fibry material 

 should be placed on it to keep the new soil from 

 mingling with it. No plant should be repotted in 

 a wet state, nor should it be allowed to become dry 

 enough to cause it to flag, as this will not only 

 give an immediate and severe check, but in giving 

 water after it is potted, it will percolate the new soil 

 (which should always be* used in a moderately moist 

 state) without entering the dry ball; if, from bad 

 drainage or exhaustion of the soil, it has become 

 impure, so much of it and of the old inactive roots 

 should be removed. In such cases, as small a pot as 

 possible should be used, which will admit the pre- 

 served roots freely, being carefully laid out by the 

 fingers amid the new soil ; for if in too large a pot, 

 the soil becomes sour before any vigorous roots 

 have entered and promoted drainage, as they are 

 tardy to perform their functions vigorously after 

 having been necessarily so much disturbed. However, 

 when in a healthy and vigorous state, such space 

 should be given it that will admit the fingers or 

 both hands freely by its sides (according to the size 

 of the plant) in inserting it in the new pot, where 

 it should be so placed that its crown, if of the 



