142 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



These remarks apply to the numerous flowering Cacti, Rocliea falcata 

 Crassula, or Kalosanthes coccinea, and such subjects. The best cuttings 

 of these flowering Cacti are furnished by the shoots from four inches to 

 six inches long, pulled off at the base from their point of union with the 

 main stem. A little brick rubble mixed with the soil is in their case 

 an advantage. 



Propagation by cuttings must be resorted to in order to increase any 

 particular variety among the numerous florist's flowers, for such things 

 as Fuchsias, Pelargoniums, Begonias, and similar subjects cannot be 

 raised from seed with the knowledge that the progeny will resemble the 

 parent plant. Raising seedlings of such things is, however, very in- 

 teresting, and there is always the chance of obtaining something good. 



Potting. This is an important operation in plant-culture, and suc- 

 cess depends upon the way in which this work is managed. The first 

 consideration is to see that the pots used are thoroughly clean. When 

 dirty, wash them inside and out, and allow them to get quite dry again be- 

 fore use. Proper drainage, too, is essential. This is provided by placing 

 .a piece of broken flower-pot, known as a crock, 

 over the hole in the bottom, and a few other 

 smaller crocks around it. Oyster-shells form a 

 good substitute for broken crocks; indeed, by 

 many they are preferred. Whichever is used, 

 place them with the concave side downwards, as 

 by so doing surplus water runs away freely, 

 whereas, if the convex portion is placed directly 

 SHOWS DRAINAGE IN over tne no ^ e 5 a verv little soil will stop the drain- 

 FLOWER-POT a e - The soil employed must be in an even con- 

 dition of moisture, as mentioned under the head of 

 pSe C rdT, P h S ouid f first be potting-soils The operation of shifting a plant 

 placed a little moss, or f rom the pot in which it has been "rowing into a 



turfy soil, before filling \ , ,1 P n ^ 



with mould. larger one is carried out in the following mariner : 



First take care that the ball of earth of the plant 

 that one is going to shift is neither too wet nor too dry ; then remove 

 it from the pot by turning it nearly upside down, supporting what 

 was the upper surface of the ball of earth with the left hand, and 

 holding the pot in the right. A sharp tap of the edge of the pot 

 on the potting-bench will bring the entire ball of earth out of the 

 pot, and, as its weight then falls directly on the left hand, take 

 care that at that moment it does not drop. Then remove the crocks, 

 without bruising or injuring the roots in any way. This done, -loosen 

 with a pointed stick some of the principal roots that are wound round 

 the ball of earth, so that they will more readily take possession of the 

 new soil when potted. Of course, this must be carried out carefully ; 

 but a little practice will soon determine the extent to which the roots 

 can be disturbed without injury, in fact, to the future benefit of the 

 plant, which will be now ready for the new pot. Its size will, of course, 

 depend upon the kind of plant to be potted and its condition, but 

 generally a good healthy plant, when shifted, should be put into a pot 

 sufficiently large to allow a space of an inch between the ball of earth 



