262 GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT. 



inch of the surface soil, thus disposing of any weeds or 

 slime that may be upon it. Then place from one-half 

 inch to one inch of compost in the bottom of a pot, put 

 in the plant, being careful to have it in the center, and 

 add enough soil to fill the space between the pot and the 

 ball of earth and furnish a slight covering over the sur- 

 face. When all is completed the level of the soil should 

 be from one-half inch to one inch below the edge of the 

 pots. For sizes of pots up to four inches, a space of one- 

 half inch will answer to hold the necessary water and 

 secure the proper moistening of the soil, but above that 

 one inch is preferable. Notice should be taken that the 

 hole in the bottom of the pot is not clogged. This will 

 provide the necessary drainage, in pots four inches in 

 diameter or less, but for the larger sizes from one to two 

 inches of pieces of broken pots should be placed in the 

 bottom, and covered with a little sphagnum, or excelsior, 

 to keep the soil from washing down and filling the 

 spaces. Bits of charcoal or excelsior can be used instead 

 of crocks. When large plants are repotted, a small ram- 

 mer should be used to pack the soil well around the ball. 



TOP-DRESSING. 



In some cases, a plant does not make a satisfactory 

 growth, from lack of sufficient plant food. If the pol 

 is of the proper size and the roots have not become pot- 

 bound, it will not be desirable to repot it, as that would 

 give a needless check to the plant. Good results can 

 generally be obtained if the surface soil is scraped away, 

 down to the roots, and replaced with very rich soil con* 

 tainirg 25 per cent of ground bone. 



WATER AND LIQUID MANURE. 



The rules given for florists will apply well here, but 

 the home florist will need to take special pains to avoid 

 both excessive and too little watering. When the 



