Drainmg Floiver-Pots. 279 



unnecessary. We only need to be cognizant of the effects resulting from 

 the want of drainage, to guard against the evils inseparable therefrom. 

 The roots of a plant grown in an imperfectly-drained pot would indicate 

 that those at the bottom had suffered more than those above and by the 

 edge of the vessel; which difference would be referable to the fact that the 

 water had not been equally distributed, and greatest in excess at the point 

 where it would most naturally collect. But it is argued that covering the 

 holes of pots cannot affect the state of things either way, as but little 

 water at any time escapes through these, and that little with equal readiness, 

 w'hether protected or not. The quantity which escapes will, of course, de- 

 pend upon how much is given ; and there can be but one opinion as to the 

 propriety of its having a ready exit, whether much or little. 



This is the more needful, as percolation through the sides of pots, and 

 evaporation from the surface of the mould and from the leaves, cannot be 

 depended upon at all seasons of the year, in all states of the weather, and 

 in every circumstance contingent upon artificial culture, to maintain that 

 medium degree of moisture throughout the entire balls so conducive to the 

 health of plants. 



How, then, can there be any violation of principle or rule of good prac- 

 tice, in at least doubling the chances to preserve this state of things, as we 

 can do by careful attention to bottom drainage ? I take it, that mould in a 

 flower-pot, like mould anywhere else, is capable of absorbing and holding 

 a given quantity of water, which it parts with only by evaporation, and as 

 taken up by the roots of the plant ; but, if more be given than can thus be 

 stored and appropriated, all beyond is superfluous, and should not be 

 allowed to remain any length of time in the pot. How to get rid of this 

 overplus is a primary consideration in all thorough draining, whether it be 

 a few cubic inches of mould in a flower-pot operated upon, or all the acres 

 of a farm. And, when provision is made sufficiently ample to do this, those 

 conditions so necessary to the development and protection of working 

 roots are also provided for. 



l"he mould so treated " obtains a greater capacity for moisture and ma- 

 nure, and imparts to plants greater capabilities for economically working 

 up the materials which they find in both the soil and atmosphere." We 

 grant, when pots are not larger than pints, the same care is not necessaiy 



