GARDENING BY MYSELF. 



79 



am not sure whether it is much done 

 here. 



Mr. Henderson says, that any plants in 

 pots which will be wanted for winter bloom- 

 ing, should be kept in pots through the 

 summer; the hole in the bottom being 

 well stopped up, that no roots may strike 

 through, and the pots plunged — or set to 

 the rim — in the open ground. The pots 

 should be six or seven inches diameter in 

 this case, so as to give the plant a little 

 room. 



But all others may be turned out to take 

 care of themselves. Now if your potted 

 plants have been repotted often enough, 

 you will find the turning out very easy 

 work. Lay your left hand across the top 

 of the pot, letting the plant stem pass deftly 

 between your fingers ; turn the pot over, 

 and strike lightly on the bottom with your 

 other hand. This should be quite enough; 

 and the little ball of earth and roots slips 

 gently down into your left hand, the plant 

 being steadied and held in place by your 



